I have been having great fun with Sam Gwynn lately. To make a long story less wearisome, I suggested to Sam a marketing scheme for his new book (No Word Of Farewell--Story Line Press--buy it or I will dump all over your poems!) that involved linking him romantically with famous literary women. I sent him my Cope triolet, he sent me a triolet suggesting that Ms. Cope would be grossed out by the mere thought of an affair with me, and I sent him a rebuttal triolet with a general knock on his qualifications in amorous matters. All of which leads me to stop hesitating posting my favorite Cope despite the fact that I have probably created unrealistic expectations (sorry, Caleb!).
Waste Land Limericks
I
In April one seldom feels cheerful;
Dry stones, sun and dust make me feel fearful;
Clairovates distress me,
Commuters depress me--
Met Stetson and gave him an earful.
II
She sat on a mighty fine chair,
Sparks flew as she tidied her hair;
She asks many questions,
I make few suggestions--
Bad as Albert and Lil--what a pair!
III
The Thames runs, bones rattle, rats creep;
Tiresias fancies a peep--
A typist is laid,
A record is played--
Wei la la. After this it gets deep.
IV
A Phoenecian called Phlebas forgot
About birds and his business--the lot,
Which is no surprise,
Since he met his demise
And been left in the ocean to rot.
V
No water. Dry rocks and dry throats,
Then thunder, a shower of quotes
From the Sanskrit and Dante.
Da. Damyata. Shantih.
I hope you make sense of the notes.
Reading Scheme
Here is Peter. Here is Jane. They like fun.
Jane has a big doll. Peter has a ball.
Look, Jane, look! Look at the dog! See him run!
Here is Mummy. She has baked a bun.
Here is the milkman. He has come to call.
Here is Peter. Here is Jane. They like fun.
Go Peter! Go Jane! Come, milkman, come!
The milkman likes Mummy. She likes them all.
Look, Jane, look! Look at the dog! See him run!
Here are the curtains. They shut out the sun.
Let us peep! On tiptoe Jane! You are small!
Here is Peter. Here is Jane. They like fun.
I hear a car, Jane. The milkman looks glum.
Here is Daddy in his car. Daddy is tall.
Look, Jane, look! Look at the dog! See him run!
Daddy looks very cross. Has he a gun?
Up milkman! Up milkman! Over the wall!
Here is Peter. Here is Jane. They like fun.
Look, Jane, look! Look at the dog! See him run!
Cope used to be an elementary teacher. I have this villanelle on tape, and it is marvelous to hear her read it.
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