Writing poetry to provoke laughter is extraordinarily risky. Most writers consider poetry a difficult genre; most readers grant such. Because so much poetry is SERIOUS STUFF, the writer of comedy probably ought to break through early enough to alter expectations. I’ve no problem with a poem ending with a funny punch line: we can always re-read and appreciate the build. But I like best those comic poems that charm us from the start and build to out-loud laughter and applause.
I’m mystified that Billy Collins has so many detractors. He’s made me laugh so often.
“Bonsai
All it takes is one to throw a room
completely out of whack.”
What an opening!
Bob
Bob
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