Very Bad Poetry


Book Description

Writing very bad poetry requires talent. It helps to have a wooden ear for words, a penchant for sinking into a mire of sentimentality, and an enviable confidence that allows one to write despite absolutely appalling incompetence. The 131 poems collected in this first-of-its-kind anthology are so glaringly awful that they embody a kind of genius. From Fred Emerson Brooks' "The Stuttering Lover" to Matthew Green's "The Spleen" to Georgia Bailey Parrington's misguided "An Elegy to a Dissected Puppy", they mangle meter, run rampant over rhyme, and bludgeon us into insensibility with their grandiosity, anticlimax, and malapropism. Guaranteed to move even the most stoic reader to tears (of laughter), Very Bad Poetry is sure to become a favorite of the poetically inclined (and disinclined).




The Lion and Albert


Book Description

Thora Hird, Roy Hudd and others read seventeen of Marriott Edgar's memorable monologues.




Humour in Verse


Book Description

Originally published in 1937, this anthology of humorous poems for the younger reader supplements the more serious material found in school anthologies.




Seriously Funny


Book Description

Can serious poetry be funny? Chaucer and Shakespeare would say yes, and so do the authors of these 187 poems that address timeless concerns but that also include comic elements. Beginning with the Beats and the New York School and continuing with both marquee-name poets and newcomers, Seriously Funny ranges from poems that are capsized by their own tomfoolery to those that glow with quiet wit to ones in which a laugh erupts in the midst of terrible darkness. Most of the selections were made in the editors' battered compact car, otherwise known as the Seriously Funny Mobile Unit. During the two years in which Barbara Hamby and David Kirby made their choices, they'd set out with a couple of boxes of books in the back seat, and whoever wasn't driving read to the other. When they found that a poem made both of them think but laugh as well, they earmarked it. Readers will find a true generosity in these poems, an eagerness to share ideas and emotions and also to entertain. The singer Ali Farka Tour said that honey is never good when it's only in one mouth, and the editors of Seriously Funny hope its readers find much to share with others.




The Function of Humour in Roman Verse Satire


Book Description

Maria Plaza sets out to analyse the function of humour in the Roman satirists Horace, Persius, and Juvenal. Her starting point is that satire is driven by two motives, which are to a certain extent opposed: to display humour, and to promote a serious moral message. She argues that, while the Roman satirist needs humour for his work's aesthetic merit, his proposed message suffers from the ambivalence that humour brings with it. Her analysis shows that this paradox is not only socio-ideological but also aesthetic, forming the ground for the curious, hybrid nature of Roman satire.




The Best Ever Book of Funny Poems


Book Description

The Best Ever Book of Funny Poems is a brilliantly funny anthology of the most giggle-worthy children's poems from one of the nations most celebrated children's poets, Brian Moses. Perfect for gifting and for reading aloud, you'll be chortling along with Brian as he shows you the funniest poems in the world! Explore chucklesome poems about pets, funny creatures, school, family, fantasy and fairy-tales, dinosaurs and dragons, space, and just plain SILLY poems. With poets such as Brian Bilston, Sue Hardy-Dawson, Pie Corbett and Paul Cookson next to Liz Brownlee, Mike Jubb, James Carter and Rachel Rooney, this is the ultimate hysterical collection of rib-tickling poems guaranteed to make you laugh out loud.




The Humor of Christ


Book Description

The Humor of Christ inspires Christians to redraw their pictures of Christ and to add a persistent biblical detail, the note of humor. Throughout the Gospels, Christ employed humor for the sake of truth and many of his teachings, when seen in this light, become brilliantly clear for the first time. Irony, satire, paradox, even laughter itself help clarify Christ's famous parables, His brief sayings, and important events in His life.




Poetic Justice


Book Description

The perfect gift for the lawyers in your life -- for law school graduation, birthdays, firm holiday gifts, retirement, or just because. More than 70 vignettes from life in the practice of law are rendered here as wryly humorous poems. Each one stands alone as the sort of snapshot one lawyer might forward along to another for a laugh or a knowing nod. Together, they comprise a collection to be treasured by anyone who has lived through law school, first jobs, thrilling victories, eye-opening disappointments, and the lifestyle particular to this career choice. This book is not about laughing at lawyers. It's about laughing with them. It's for everyone who's in on the joke: Everyone who has witnessed the madness and met the quirky characters in this field. Everyone who, even just for a second, has wondered if they should have gone to medical school, culinary school... anything other than law school. Everyone who has ever sat down at the end of an evening and thought, "No one would even believe me if I told them about my day." We believe you. Editorial reviews: "In many of the poems, the authors capture perfectly the oddities of law practice and law school. 'Sisterhood' may be one of the most insightful poems that could be enjoyed within any profession. These poems... took the mundane and made it soar." - Arizona Bar Association "A book of candid truths and palpable honesty, with a sincerity that can only come from experience." - North Carolina Bar Association "A must-read for lawyers persisting in long-term practice who like to keep it light, who continue to muse on the sometimes bizarre world in which a lawyer finds himself or herself, and who simply enjoy a good poem." - Colorado Bar Association Featured on Above the Law and Bitter Lawyer. Named the SmallLaw Pick of the Week by TechnoLawyer. (Authors donate a portion of book proceeds to WomensLaw.org, The WomensLaw Project of the National Network to End Domestic Violence.)




The Humour of America


Book Description

Dive into the rich tapestry of American humor with "The Humour of America" by Angus Evan Abbott and Charles Edmund Brock. Embark on a delightful journey through the heartland of American comedy with this charming collection of humorous tales and anecdotes. From the witty observations of Mark Twain to the irreverent humor of Dorothy Parker, this anthology celebrates the diverse voices that have shaped the landscape of American humor. With Angus Evan Abbott and Charles Edmund Brock as your guides, you'll explore the vast and vibrant world of American comedy, from the uproarious antics of frontier characters to the sharp wit of urban satirists. Through carefully selected stories and illustrations, Abbott and Brock showcase the timeless appeal of American humor and its enduring legacy. Themes of wit, satire, and absurdity abound in this anthology, inviting readers to laugh, reflect, and celebrate the unique spirit of American comedy. Whether you're a fan of classic humor or a newcomer to the genre, "The Humour of America" offers something for everyone, with its timeless tales and timeless charm. With its engaging prose and delightful illustrations, "The Humour of America" has earned praise from readers and critics alike for its celebration of the American comedic tradition. Abbott and Brock's careful curation and insightful commentary make this anthology a must-have for anyone who appreciates the lighter side of life. Whether you're looking to escape into a world of laughter or simply seeking to brighten your day, "The Humour of America" promises to entertain and delight. Join Abbott and Brock on a journey through the laughter-filled landscape of American humor, and discover why it continues to captivate audiences around the world. Experience the joy of American humor. Let "The Humour of America" by Angus Evan Abbott and Charles Edmund Brock tickle your funny bone and lift your spirits. Order your copy today and discover the timeless wit and charm of American comedy.




Humour of To-day


Book Description