Classic and Contemporary Poetry
VILLANELLE OF THINGS AMUSING, by FRANK GELETT BURGESS Poet's Biography First Line: These are the things that make me laugh Last Line: And I've missed of too many jokes by half! Alternate Author Name(s): Burgess, Gelett Subject(s): Jokes; Laughter; Life | ||||||||
THESE are the things that make me laugh -- Life's a preposterous farce, say I! And I've missed of too many jokes by half. The high-heeled antics of colt and calf, The men who think they can act, and try -- These are the things that make me laugh. The hard-boiled poses in photograph, The groom still wearing his wedding tie -- And I've missed of too many jokes by half! These are the bubbles I gayly quaff With the rank conceit of the new-born fly -- These are the things that make me laugh! For, Heaven help me! I needs must chaff, And people will tickle me till I die -- And I've missed of too many jokes by half! So write me down in my epitaph As one too fond of his health to cry -- These are the things that make me laugh, And I've missed of too many jokes by half! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PRIVILEGE OF BEING by ROBERT HASS SEAWATER STIFFENS CLOTH by JANE HIRSHFIELD SAYING YES TO LIVING by DAVID IGNATOW THE WORLD IS SO DIFFICULT TO GIVE UP by DAVID IGNATOW ON DIGITAL EXTREMITIES by FRANK GELETT BURGESS |
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