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Poetry
Humor

‘Ambience’ and Other Poetry by Anna J. Arredondo

The Society
October 21, 2022
Beauty, Humor, Poetry
20 Comments
. Ambience Oh, what a difference lighting throws __On these autumnal scenes, As back and forth it hides or shows __Drab browns or emerald greens. When cloud conceals the light of day, __The life it also...

‘The Red Sea’ and Other Poetry by Jeffrey Essmann

The Society
October 19, 2022
Beauty, Culture, Humor, Poetry
11 Comments
. The Red Sea From quite far off we smelled its salt And now stand stunned upon its shore. We stare into the writhing vault Where Moses sees a corridor. It seems there were not graves enough In Egypt so that...

‘I Sailed Away to Ancient Greece’ and Other Children’s Poetry by Roy E. Peterson

The Society
October 12, 2022
Children's, Culture, Humor, Poetry
23 Comments
. I Sailed Away to Ancient Greece I sailed away to ancient Greece In search of Jason’s golden fleece. I climbed aboard the Argonaut, But could not find the fleece I sought. Odysseus was waiting there And...

‘Making Apple Butter’ by Cheryl Corey

The Society
October 11, 2022
Beauty, Humor, Poetry
16 Comments
. Making Apple Butter Once he got the fire good and hot, Old Silas filled the kettle with some cider; and when it boiled down to golden amber, he added quartered apples to the pot. He settled in his chair...
poem/anderson/beauty

‘Brain to Heart’ and Other Poetry by Peter Venable

The Society
October 8, 2022
Beauty, Humor, Poetry
3 Comments
. Brain to Heart God has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart. —Ecclesiastes 3.11 To dig deep holes for bushes, shrubs— White Hydrangea, Crape Myrtle...

‘Never Argue with a Progressive’ and Other Poetry by C.B. Anderson

The Society
October 7, 2022
Humor, Love Poems, Poetry, Satire
15 Comments
. Never Argue with a Progressive They never tell the truth, except by accident, And when they do, they’ll tell you that they really meant The opposite, so what’s a trusting man to do? Admittedly, such...

‘Green Energy’ After Dr. Seuss’s ‘Green Eggs and Ham,’ by Dan Ward

The Society
October 4, 2022
Children's, Culture, Humor, Poetry, Satire
35 Comments
. Green Energy with apologies to Dr. Seuss I do not like green energy Don’t subsidize it, AOC. I do not like it in the dark, My solar panels will not spark. I do not like it with no breeze, Wind generators...

‘A Woodstock for China’ by Talbot Hook

The Society
October 1, 2022
Culture, Human Rights in China, Humor, Poetry
11 Comments
. A Woodstock for China You sit within a public Chinese bus, And out the window: buildings, concrete, dust, Which all are perfect—life is simply thus. You stare with shining eyes, soft-spoken trust. A face...

‘Uncontrolled’ and Other Poetry by Russel Winick

The Society
October 1, 2022
Culture, Humor, Poetry, The Environment
19 Comments
. Uncontrolled When my behavior needs to change, __But I can’t make that be, Such lack of self-control seems strange, __And I’m ashamed of me. Sometimes the angst I feel inside __Was planted long ago, And...

‘Vicente el Bisonte (Vincent the Bison)’ by Mary Gardner

The Society
September 29, 2022
Culture, Humor, Poetry
13 Comments
. Vicente el Bisonte (Vincent the Bison)  Vicente el Bisonte used to live in Mexico He said, “I do not like it here, it’s time for me to go. For lunch they give me Bison Chow, Purina mixed with hay, I’m...

‘Fire on Ice’ by Anna J. Arredondo

The Society
September 28, 2022
Beauty, Humor, Love Poems, Poetry
26 Comments
. Fire on Ice How shall I serve my anger up to you? Shall I become like one most distant star Burning intensely, far from where you are, Incinerating---infinite degrees Made a mere twinkling to the earthly...

A Toothbrush Poem: ‘Ill-used’ by Paul A. Freeman

The Society
September 28, 2022
Humor, Poetry
18 Comments
. Ill-used I’ve been ill-used, no other word will do; pristinely packaged, sanitised and new a month ago I stood upon display till someone paid to carry me away. Once home, he placed me in a cup whose...

‘The Last Detail’ and Other Poetry by Julian Woodruff

The Society
September 27, 2022
Beauty, Culture, Humor, Poetry
6 Comments
. The Last Detail Two cocksure, loud–mouthed lads one day set out, Intent on catching perch. “No,” Jim said, “trout.” The hole they headed for neither one knew: All for adventure, they sought...

‘Sex in the English Garden’ and Other Poetry by Sally Cook

The Society
September 26, 2022
Beauty, Culture, Humor, Poetry
14 Comments
. Sex in the English Garden Light, feathery Astilbe Sways gently in the breeze Afraid she always will be Faint fluff beneath the trees Concealing dear Sweet William, Who rings each foxglove’s bell Mid...

‘Cruise Control?’ and Other Poetry by Tonia Kalouria

The Society
September 25, 2022
Culture, Humor, Poetry
11 Comments
. Cruise Control? based on a real incident in San Francisco on April 1, 2022 (though not an April Fool's joke) A well-mannered Cruise driverless-car Drove light-less, but didn’t get far. Its empty seats...

‘Milking the System’ and Other Poetry by C.B. Anderson

The Society
September 22, 2022
Beauty, Culture, Humor, Poetry
18 Comments
. Milking the System We waited, we have waited, and we wait. Delays continue to increase the cost Of doing business.  Every magistrate Can understand the hours and dollars lost But yet cannot, according to...

‘Illusion’ by James A. Tweedie

The Society
September 22, 2022
Humor, Poetry
10 Comments
. Illusion At times we can’t tell what we’re looking at. It could be this or else it could be that. A beautiful young woman? Or old hag? Do lines run parallel or zig and zag? Two silhouetted faces...

‘Carcassonne’ and Other Poetry by Gustave Nadaud, Translated by Joshua C. Frank

The Society
September 21, 2022
Beauty, Culture, Humor, Music, Poetry, Translation
18 Comments
. Carcassonne by Gustave Nadaud (1820-1893) Translated by Joshua C. Frank “At sixty years, I’m getting old, And I’ve been working all my days Not being able to behold Fulfillment of my wishing gaze. I...

‘Paracelsus’ by Adam Sedia

The Society
September 18, 2022
Culture, Humor, Poetry
14 Comments
. Paracelsus Creating man demands not much: Combine the four base elements In right amounts; the lodestone’s touch At once should jolt him into sense. First Earth, in greatest quantity: For what is flesh...

‘Last Place Winner’ by Guy Warner

The Society
September 17, 2022
Beauty, Humor, Poetry
9 Comments
. Last Place Winner after winning the 30-34 age group with a last-place finish in a 5K Inhaling frozen oxygen, he rounds The final turn. No cheers, just muffled sounds. He barely wobbles ‘cross the finish...

‘The Salt Spring Island Trolls’ by Norma Pain

The Society
September 14, 2022
Humor, Poetry
30 Comments
. The Salt Spring Island Trolls I have a boat In Fulford Bay. She does not float To my dismay. She lies forlorn Upon the shore, Ragged and torn To sail no more. An invalid All full of holes, Inhabited By empty...

‘Obedience’ by Giuseppe Gioachino Belli, Translated by Joseph S. Salemi (with a Long Note)

The Society
September 13, 2022
Culture, Essays, Humor, Poetry, Translation
16 Comments
. Obedience by Giuseppe Gioachino Belli (1791-1863) translated from Romanesco by Joseph S. Salemi It’s not true, Christians, what you have been told— That you need endless patience to obey. Obedience...

‘The Adjudication’ and Other Poetry by Anthony Watts

The Society
September 11, 2022
Culture, Humor, Poetry
12 Comments
. The Adjudication “I weep for you,” the Walrus said: __“I deeply sympathise.” With sobs and tears he sorted out __Those of the largest size, Holding his pocket-handkerchief __Before his streaming...

‘Who Shaves the Barber?’ and Other Poetry by C.B. Anderson

The Society
September 7, 2022
Beauty, Humor, Poetry
20 Comments
. Who Shaves the Barber? shaves all those, and those only, who do not shave themselves.  —Bertrand Russell The barber had a gift for cutting hair, And once a month the men who lived in town Would take a...

‘Cracked Liberty Bell’ and Other Poetry by Peter Venable

The Society
September 6, 2022
Beauty, Culture, Humor, Poetry
2 Comments
. Cracked Liberty Bell July the 4th—Independence. Many bands play. Parades pass by— Fireworks fly. __Rocket’s red glare . . . 1900. A song was sung From old to young: Lift every voice— They sang,...

‘Food for Thought’ and Other Food-Related Poetry by Anna J. Arredondo

The Society
September 1, 2022
Beauty, Culture, Humor, Limerick, Poetry
24 Comments
. Food for Thought A Culinary Tale There once was a man wan and pallid, he Suffered from a mysterious malady: __He ate carrots and greens, __Ripe tomatoes and beans, But eschewed anything that's not...

A Conceit or Just a Similitude? Two Brief Illustrations from Sir John Suckling, by Joseph S. Salemi

The Society
August 25, 2022
Culture, Essays, Humor, Poetry
13 Comments
. A Conceit or Just a Similitude? Two Brief Illustrations from Sir John Suckling by Joseph S. Salemi One of the earliest things one learns in poetry is the distinction between a simile and a metaphor. In...

‘Daedalus’ and Other Poetry by Morrison Handley-Schachler

The Society
August 24, 2022
Beauty, Culture, Humor, Love Poems, Poetry
7 Comments
. Daedalus Icarus, you have disobeyed, As all men do, and dearly paid. Too recklessly your heart did fly Between high seas and louring sky. The wings I gave you, it is true, But what would you have had me...
poem/gosse/humor

‘Poetry Lessons’ by Susan Jarvis Bryant

The Society
August 22, 2022
Culture, Humor, Poetry
26 Comments
. Poetry Lessons The poet said he’d show and never tell--- His imagery would mesmerize and blaze. In quatrains laced with Aphrodite’s spell, His sibilance would scintillate and daze. The poet said...

‘Thank You Note from An Assisted Living Facility’ and Other Poetry on Aging by Roy E. Peterson

The Society
August 22, 2022
Humor, Poetry
18 Comments
. Thank You Note from an Assisted Living Facility Thank you for the Happy Birthday. Never thought I'd live this long. Though my hair is turning gray I still can hear a clanging gong. I thought my cake was set...

‘Vital Signs’ by Jeffrey Essmann

The Society
August 20, 2022
Beauty, Humor, Poetry
5 Comments
. I. My body heat is at a modicum: Say, ninety-eight point two or one or so. Foreboding naught particularly glum Except a disposition to succumb To fevers only cooler heads can know. . II. Some other hand has...

‘Un-Justice Merrick Garland’ and Other Poetry by Russel Winick

The Society
August 18, 2022
Culture, Humor, Poetry
19 Comments
. Un-Justice Merrick Garland “Garland is a moderate,” Obama swore, We all can see his moderation now--- The Trump raid tactics never used before, Which Garland must have learned from Chairman...

‘Chitchat’ by Norma Pain

The Society
August 18, 2022
Humor, Poetry
33 Comments
. Chitchat If only I could find a man, I’m lonely since Sebastian, That loser, left me for another. Still, I didn’t like his mother Anyway, so no big deal, And honestly, I really feel We just weren’t...

‘Persistence’ by David L. Williams

The Society
August 17, 2022
Culture, Humor, Poetry
4 Comments
. Persistence It seems when flies get in from the outside, They never find how to get out again; Instead they only buzz around and hide, A game that often is the death of them. At times hours pass when you...

‘My No-Show Foes’ and Other Poetry by C.B. Anderson

The Society
August 11, 2022
Humor, Poetry
10 Comments
. My No-Show Foes I whet my blade, anticipating mayhem. My enemies just whet their appetite On what they hope my manager will pay them For throwing down their knives without a fight. I hone my wits in...

Poems by Théodore de Banville (1823-1891), Translated by Margaret Coats

The Society
August 7, 2022
Beauty, Humor, Poetry, Rondel, Translation, Triolet
21 Comments
. Poems by Théodore de Banville (1823-1891) translated by Margaret Coats The Velocipede Half brain, and half a pair of wheels, Transcending anthropology, Calf poised on manufactured heels, Half brain, and...

‘Fishing on the Fly’: Three Poems by James A. Tweedie

The Society
August 4, 2022
Beauty, Culture, Humor, Poetry
21 Comments
. Deschutes River Reverie The river, swift and shallow, roils its way Beneath the outstretched arms of old-growth pines, Past bank-side willows diamond-dewed with spray, And hillside ferns and thimbleberry...

‘Don’t Laugh at a Christian’ and Other Poetry by Roy E. Peterson

The Society
August 3, 2022
Beauty, Humor, Poetry
18 Comments
. Don't Laugh at a Christian God looked down on Noah And said "Construct an ark Bigger than a boat, More like a zoo or park." Friends said he was crazy Until the rain came down. That is when we learned The...

‘Camena Interrupta’ and Other Poetry by Peter Venable

The Society
August 1, 2022
Culture, Humor, Limerick, Poetry
4 Comments
. Camena Interrupta The measured words of poetryRise round the mystic sphere,Sift through the dirt or sing divineIn strains that soothe or sear. But now the stanzas halt and freeze:Eternity is stilled—The...

‘Dog Tired, Cat on Top’ by Damian Robin

The Society
July 30, 2022
Children's, Humor, Poetry
13 Comments
. Dog Tired, Cat on Top The cat sat on the mat, Been there, seen that. The cat sat on the chair, Seen that, been there. The cat sat on the dog, Well, that’s odd. The dog snored on the floor, Tell us...
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  1. Roy Eugene Peterson on ‘The Legend of Zhong Kui’: A Poem by M.D. SkeenJune 5, 2025

    Fascinating tale rooted in the requirement of those times to memorize reams of writing to be accepted into the ancient…

  2. Frank Rable on ‘Roads of Potter County’: A Poem by Frank RableJune 5, 2025

    Yes, Margaret, you're right about that, I think. A nice smooth lawn instead of the Penndot version of smooth asphalt.

  3. Margaret Coats on ‘Roads of Potter County’: A Poem by Frank RableJune 5, 2025

    Frank, my dad's family is from the Pottsville area (Schuylkill County) where roads seem the same--until summer arrives and the…

  4. Margaret Coats on ‘Frivolity from Quality’ and Other Poems by Russel WinickJune 5, 2025

    Russel, there was a short-lived scandal now some years back, because high-prestige Oxford University Press fired editors to employ marketers.…

  5. Frank Rable on ‘Roads of Potter County’: A Poem by Frank RableJune 5, 2025

    Thank you, Stephanie! I 'm glad you enjoyed it, and I hope you dodge the potholes. All of them. Now…

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