Ogden Nash is a favorite of mine. I think I fell a little bit in love with him when I discovered The Tale of Custard the Dragon about that “realio, trulio, little pet dragon.” His word play is so clever and his work is permeated with such a sense of fun. Who can forget his wonderful The Germ? I was looking for some lighthearted fun today so I’m sharing one of Ogden Nash’s, hoping you enjoy it as well.
Pretty Halcyon Days
by Ogden Nash
How pleasant to sit on the beach,
On the beach, on the sand, in the sun,
With ocean galore within reach,
And nothing at all to be done!
No letters to answer,
No bills to be burned,
No work to be shirked,
No cash to be earned.
It is pleasant to sit on the beach
With nothing at all to be done.
…
(click on the title to read the rest)
In these late days of August with school’s advent looming, I can’t quite embrace the “nothing at all to be done” feel of Nash’s poem, but his words inspired this effort.
Late Summer Charade
How lovely to sit on the porch
on a chair with a drink in the shade
surrounded by gardens afleck
with blossoms beginning to fade
My In-box is flooding
with e-mails a-stacking
I should be in school now
my classroom unpacking.
But ’tis lovely to sit on the porch
enjoying my care-free charade.
Molly Hogan (c) 2016
Hope your summer days are still unfolding with moments when you can enjoy “nothing at all to be done” or at least a convincing charade. To enjoy more poetry, head on over to Heidi Mordhorst’s delightful blog, My Juicy Little Universe, where she’s hosting this week’s Poetry Friday Roundup.
Nix the comfort zone 
What a terrific “inspired by” poem, Molly! So many folks can relate, wistfully to our Mr. Nash’s as we might have sat on the beach just short weeks ago with to-do lists still far off, and now to yours as summer careens into busy fall. Wishing you a wonderful start to the school year!
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Thanks, Robyn. I may have to try to sneak in one more visit to the beach–perhaps on a fall weekend when the tourists are gone but summer’s warmth lingers…
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I’ve been thinking the same thing, actually – we love going to the beach here in the fall when it’s quiet and peaceful!
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Hmm, I may be having “lotus and poppy” afternoons, of frisbee golf, stream-walking, co-op shopping, reading poetry, but I miss out on the beach. What a wonderful poem with great rhythm, dwindling and then filling out again.
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Glad you enjoyed the poem, Brenda. Stream-walking is a delightful way to spend a hot and hazy afternoon!
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Yes, and we even had dragonfly sentries.
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Beautiful thoughts of sitting on the porch, thanks to Ogden Nash, Molly. You’ve captured the rhythm & the wishing well. Enjoy your final weekend!
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Thanks, Linda. I hope you’re enjoying some late summer vegetating.
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Oh, I love Custard the Dragon. Always such fun as a read aloud. Ogden Nash is a favorite… and as I read his “How pleasant to sit on the beach, On the beach, on the sand, in the sun…” I heard the sea calling my name for our last visit of summer when the beaches are empty of vacationers. Hoping the fall rain waits so the days will be warm with the nights cool. May you too enjoy the last lingering moments of summer.
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Love your response to the Ogden Nash poem, Molly! I hope you can return to that care-free charade a few times yet even after the school year has begun. It sounds rather therapeutic, that happy state of denial!
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Oh, Michelle, I excel at denial! I can now answer Brenda Harsham’s question about what my Olympic sport is– Denial!
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Literally laughing out loud! Your take on Nash’s poem is So. Much. Fun.
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I love when something I’ve written makes someone laugh! Thanks so much for letting me know. I’m delighted you enjoyed the poem.
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