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Do You Recite Poetry?

I can recite snippets of a number of older poems..all rhyming. The one I can do almost word perfect is Little Boy Blue by Eugene Fields. It was one of a number of poems my third grade teacher had us memorize. The school year ran out before we got to tackle all the verses from The Legend Of Lake Okefinokee by Laura Richards, but I saved the print out for years, and I think I may still have it in a folder in my basement..its a pretty hysterical poem..."There once was a frog, and he lived in a bog, on the shores of Lake Okefinoke..and the words of the song that he sang all day long were Croakety Croakety Croaky.." Not exactly something I'd include on a resume..but there you have it..:rolleyes:

Ooh, almost forgot..I also recite Eldorado by Poe, the first verse of My Heart's in the Highlands by Burns, Concord Hymn by Emerson, and Ballad of Trees and the Master by Sidney Lanier. I used to be able to do most of A Parody on the Psalm of Life too.."be not like dumb driven cattle, be a rooster in the strife!"
 
I can only remember by heart my favourite poem, which conveniently also is quite short. :)

My candle burns at both ends,
It will not last the night,
But ah my foes and oh my friends,
It gives a lovely light.

First Fig, by Edna St Vincent Millay (thanks to Mari who identified her).

ds
 
When I'm drunk, I sometimes go on a limerick spree. Fun is usually had by all for the first 2 or 3. After that, I get strange looks.

A lovely young maid from Aberystwyth...
 
one of my faves;)

A Naughty Little Poem

She whispered "will it hurt me?"
"Of course not" answered he
"It's a very simple process,
You can rely on me."

She said "I'm very frightened,
I've not had this before.
My friend has had it five times
And said it can be sore."

It was growing rather painful
Tears formed in her eyes
It was hurting quite a bit now
It must have been a size.

"Calm yourself" he whispered
"His face filled with a grin
"Try and open wider
So I can get it in."

"It's coming now" he whispered
"I know" she cried in bliss
Feeling it deep within her now
She said "I am glad I'm having this."

And with a final effort
She gave a frightened shout
He gripped it in anguish
And quickly pulled it out.

She lay back quite contended
Sighed and gave a smile
She said "I'm glad I came now
You made it worth my while."

Now if you read this carefully
The dentist you will find
Is not what you imagined
It's just your dirty mind!!


Author Unknown
 
Sofia!.:eek:
th_rofl.gif
 
When I read poetry (too seldom! too seldom!) I always find bits I want to be able to recite. Once, I could recite entire Odes of Keats and many many Swedish poems, but am out of practice... however, I might still be able to pull of "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day" and Hamlet's soliloquy. Now that I'm in a Byron rut, I've found several stanzas I'd like to learn by heart, but I need to read them at least thrice out loud... :p (tongue in palm...)

Also, I've taken up learning the guitar, and then you need both the chords and the words down by heart. Work work work ;)

Sofia - that's a bit Dorothy Parker-esque?
Something else I want to be able to whip out:

Inventory

Four be the things I am wiser to know:
Idleness, sorrow, a friend, and a foe.

Four be the things I'd been better without:
Love, curiosity, freckles, and doubt.

Three be the things I shall never attain:
Envy, content, and sufficient champagne.

Three be the things I shall have till I die:
Laughter and hope and a sock in the eye.

*mrkgnao*
 
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