Silly Poetry Friday

Many months ago, the delightful Callie of Counterbalance asked me to contribute to a blog conversation about poetry. I kept meaning to, but life tends to get in the way, and sadly I put my poetry thoughts on the back burner. The waaaay back burner. But I didn't forget, Callie!

I love poetry, and I just don't read enough of it. Often my preferences depend upon my mood, just like my book-reading habits. Had I made the effort to contribute to Callie's great poetry discussion, I would have said that I wish humorous and silly poetry got a bit more attention. Just because a poem rhymes, doesn't mean it does not have merit. In fact, writing clever poetry that does rhyme is actually quite difficult. I know. I used to do quite a bit of it when I was young and silly (Now I'm just old and silly).

I've been noticing that quite a few book blogs have these special 'Poetry Friday' posts, and I've really been enjoying them. So in the spirit of that theme, I have created a new category – Silly Poetry Friday – where I will post a witty, clever and/or totally silly poem to welcome everyone to the wonderful weekend. Sound silly? I hope so!

I thought I'd get off to a very silly start and post a poem written by the very talented Shel Silverstein, who was not only a poet, but also a musician, cartoonist and children's author. This poem is from Where The Sidewalk Ends: the poems and drawings of Shel Silverstein.

HUG O' WAR

I will not play at tug o' war.
I'd rather play at hug o' war.
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs,
Where everyone giggles
And rolls on the rug,
Where everyone kisses,
And everyone grins,
And everyone cuddles,
And everyone wins.

Comments

[Brian]

Aw, that's nice, P. I'd add a poem of my own, but they always start with "There was an old woman from Nantucket."

[Slimbolala]

A true master of silly poetry; good place to start.

[Beth]

Great poet, great poem - Hug O' War sounds like a lovely game to play.

[Heather (errantdreams)]

Silverstein was perhaps the first poet whose work I ever read, way back when I was a child. I agree that silly poems do not often get their due!

[Dorky Dad]

What we really need -- or I really need, is a day of the week that begins with H, like Hursday. That way I could have a "Haiku Hursday."

Heck. Maybe I'll have a Haiku Hursday anyway.

[Crystal]

Shil Silverstein! My earliest memory of wanting to be a writer is this:

My mother bought me a copy of "Where the Sidewalk Ends" and I MADE her inscribe it: "To my sweetheart, the poet." Like actually dictated it for her to write.

I was seven then, 29 now. I still write, and I still have the book.