Selected Poetry

by Ogden Nash

Ogden Nash

Genres: Poetry, Humor, Classics, Nonfiction, Collections

682 pages, Hardcover

First published January 9, 1995

About the author

Frederic Ogden Nash was an American poet well known for his light verse. At the time of his death in 1971, the New York Times said his "droll verse with its unconventional rhymes made him the country's best-known producer of humorous poetry".

Reviews

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful collection. Although I must say that it dawned on me that I wouldn't really call Nash a poet. He was, top to bottom, front to back, a wit. Just a lot of fun.

A regular poet published a book,
And an excellent book it was,
But nobody gave it a second look,
As nobody often does.

Or . . .

Robert Browning
Avoided drowning,
Unparallelly
to P.B. Shelley.

[Bożek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nash - 3
St.B. - 5

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone wrote a Goodreads review and gave only two stars saying "If you've read one Ogden Nash poem, you've read them all." Very true. I agree. But what Nash has done is create a brand of humor that succeeds in every poem. There are no bombs here. Every poem is funny. And there are hundreds of poems. So hey I can see someone reading only part of the book and stopping. I read it all and loved it.

[Alec Longstreth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the course of a year and a half I read this book with my daughter, two or three poems a night. I'm not sure how much of it she enjoyed, but hopefully my enjoyment of the material was shared with her. I already own most of these poems in other collections, but they were worth revisiting and I thoroughly enjoyed the new ones. Nash remains my favorite poet.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my greatest discoveries ever. It's a book to keep
handy if ever one is slightly discouraged. I listened to it on tape
while I scrapbooked, with frequent stops to laugh out loud. It is very
quotable, so a hard text would have been handy.
Oh, I must go down to the beach, my lass,
And step on a lot of broken glass.
Daybreak is one of the greatest disadvantages in living in the solar
system.
When I throw rocks at sea birds,
I leave no tern unstoned.
A glass fills half a pint when filled,
Half a gallon when spilled.

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun but can only read a few at a time because sometimes they are too too. Points out frailties of humans but never seems to be serious about anything.

[Marta sans-H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Niepoważne i niepoważane wierszyki z retro szarmem w sam raz na noworoczne czytelnicze rozbudzenie.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not quite certain how many of Nash's books I have read. But I love his poetry -- probably the first poet I really ever enjoyed. It is humorous and direct. One doesn't have to wonder what in the world the poet is talking about -- with Ogden you get it! I started reading him when he first was published -- years ago.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've loved Ogden Nash since 5th grade.

The Panther

The panther is like a leopard,
Except it hasn't been peppered.
Should you behold a panther crouch,
Prepare to say Ouch.
Better yet, if called by a panther,
Don't anther.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've never read Ogden Nash, you need to. I started reading his poetry in 5th grade and found it hilarious!

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply the most entertaining poet ever.

[Lavinia · Rating 3 out of 5]

My dad keeps this book in his bathroom and I always have to pick it up and read a few while I'm in there. I wonder if people wonder why I'm laughing in the bathroom?

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have an audio recording of him reading his poetry. He sounds just like Forrest Gump. I think his poetry is hilarious and his insights on life, love, marriage, and society are right on.

[Steve Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't read much poetry, but Nash is the best!

[Anna Hotchkiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time depression sets in I read Ogdon Nash to find something to laugh about. This kind of medicine usaly works very well.

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

The animal poems are great for the kids--why I bought this book.

[Julie]

My grandpa helped me discover a love for Ogden... Candy is good, but liquor is quicker

[Gael]

I will read anything by Ogden Nash...anytime, anywhere...

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite poets. Great stuff.

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could lap this stuff up all day. Have always loved his poems, no matter what age, no matter what mood.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Date inaccurate but posted in honor of "Tin Wedding Whistle" as read on our wedding day.

[Wanja · Rating 4 out of 5]

svaka mu čast kako mu je upao nobel za ovu njegovu zezanciju:)

[Jill Minor]

FALSE

[Rebekka Istrail · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a character, that Ogden Nash. Great silliness in rhyme and meter (and content). I love that he was a respected man of letters of his day while being so lighthearted. He enjoyed poking fun at societal norms, such as status seeking and the belief that hard work is its own reward. He comes across as a day-dreaming, inventive goofball. I'll read more of his work.