"The Tower of Babel" by Pieter Bruegel the Elder‘Free Verse: Recondite Done Right!’ by Tonia Kalouria The Society February 28, 2021 Humor, Poetry, Poetry Forms 13 Comments . In Astrophysics, I’m ranked “One,” and Greek and Latin I find fun. All serve me well at Crossword “Times,” with each day’s matrix solved by nine. Most free verse, though? Puzzles abstruse; Augean tasks for “us obtuse.” It’s glossy verse too recherché for even Hercules to slay! But many Eds—women and men— have deemed rhymed verse beyond the ken. Said style they shun for fear of harm to psyche, brain, tongue, ear, eye, arm. Well, I could spend my Nobel Purse and buy “The Code to Glossy Verse,” but oh, how better spent the time with Homer, Poe, and Silverstein! . . Tonia Kalouria, a former Spanish teacher and “soap” actress, is now a poet in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Her most recent—and rhyming—poems appear in Literary Veganism and Fox Hollow Stories, and two anthologies: “Quoth the Raven” and “Poems from the Lockdown.” NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Trending now: 13 Responses Joe Tessitore February 28, 2021 Well done and great fun! I particularly liked ‘“us obtuse”’. Reply Corey Elizabeth Jackson February 28, 2021 What fun, the selection of poets in your last line . . . a witty diversity! Reply Tonia February 28, 2021 Thanks, Corey, Nothing like ending on a high-note, eh? Tonia February 28, 2021 Thanks so much, Joe. (Glad you pointed out that key line. ) Reply Sally Cook February 28, 2021 Dear Tonia – You sound like a very sensible person; wide ranging in both vocabulary and thought. I would like to see more of your work. Please, join us here at SCP. Reply Tonia February 28, 2021 Thank you, so much, Sally. From your mouth to Eds’ ears. 🙂 Reply Joseph S. Salemi February 28, 2021 Can you explain the reference to “Eds” in the third quatrain? Reply Tonia February 28, 2021 The Dread Eds: Editors. Reply Terry L. Norton February 28, 2021 Excellent visual choice to accompany a poem on free verse. Reply Tonia February 28, 2021 Oh, I loved that choice! Adds a bit more zing:-) Reply C.B. Anderson February 28, 2021 Welcome to the party. BYOB. Reply Tonia February 28, 2021 Thanks, CB! Happy to bring a Box: (oaky Chardonnay, of course.:-) Reply C.B. Anderson March 1, 2021 Red wine has more health benefits, but whatever floats your boat is fine. Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Corey Elizabeth Jackson February 28, 2021 What fun, the selection of poets in your last line . . . a witty diversity! Reply
Sally Cook February 28, 2021 Dear Tonia – You sound like a very sensible person; wide ranging in both vocabulary and thought. I would like to see more of your work. Please, join us here at SCP. Reply
Joseph S. Salemi February 28, 2021 Can you explain the reference to “Eds” in the third quatrain? Reply
C.B. Anderson March 1, 2021 Red wine has more health benefits, but whatever floats your boat is fine.