Versus

by Ogden Nash

A USA poet of talent channelling his gift through -humourous verse with serious intent. first published 1949, this a 1963 reprint. Over 100 poems

Genres: Poetry, Classics, Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1949

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

[Caitlin]

"When I remember bygone days
I think how evening follows morn;
So many I loved were not yet dead,
So many I love were not yet born."
👌

[Linore]

While some of the names and references in these whimsical poems are dated, there is no one who turns a rhyme like Nash. For playful poetic exuberance, you can't do better.

Case in point: A poem called, "Will You Have Your Tedium Rare or Medium?"
It begins with these lines: "Two things I have never understood: first, the difference between a Czar and a Tsar/ And second, why some people who should be bores aren't, and others, who shouldn't be, are.

The wild names of the poems are half the fun for Nash. Here's another:
Title: "Piano Tuner, Untune Me that Tune"
It opens thus: "I regret that before people can be reformed they have to be sinners,/ And that before you have pianists in the family you have to have beginners."

If you prefer serious poetry, skip Nash. While he makes wry points about real life issues such as parenting teenagers, taxes, and more, he does it tongue-in-cheek and in wacky, fun ways. I recommend the book for poetry lovers.

[Becki]

Some of these poems are timeless, and all are of their time. I did enjoy them, and would probably have given the book a higher rating if I had been dipping in and out. It's a bit too punny to read too many in one sitting. I loved 'First child...second child' and his ode to teenagers 'Tarkington, thou should'st be living in this hour':

"Forever thou whisperest, two by two,
Of who is madly in love with who.
The car thou needest every day
Let hubcaps scatter where they may.
For it would start unfriendly talk
If friends should chance to see thee walk"

[Chris]

Puns, puns, wonderful puns - from the Master! For a limited audience, I'm sure. I'm in that audience, for sure!

[Valarie]

Funny guy. Out of print, I think, which is sad. Somewhat dated.

[Lois]

Delightful!!

[trudy flashford]

was nash a misogynist? yes. did i still enjoy the book? yes.