March 2018 SOLC–Day 16
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org
I’m going for light-hearted today. With all that’s going on in our world and the immediacy of report cards and upcoming Parent-Teacher conferences, I’m looking for a little bit of levity. This poem popped up in my In-box a month or two ago and made me laugh, so I decided to share it here.
Hymn to the Comb-Over
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/49761/hymn-to-the-comb-over
Quirky, right? Now I’m determined to write a hymn poem some day, once I find just the right topic.
Then, last month I wrote my first epitaph poem in response to the Today’s Little Ditty challenge. I’ve been wanting to write another one ever since. Apparently, there’s something in me that delights in writing lighthearted epitaphs. (I’m not going to analyze it too much.)
Epitaph for a Snowman
A jaunty fellow
constructed with love
two warm button eyes
a top hat above
He raised the spirits
of all who saw’d him
then temperatures rose
and sadly thawed him
M. Hogan (c) 2018
This week’s Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted by the gracious Linda B. at TeacherDance. She’s sharing a delightful and optimistic poem about April showers. Stop by and check that out and make sure to visit some other posts as well.
Nix the comfort zone 
Every lighthearted moment is one to celebrate, Molly. I have seen a few of those “four or five strings/stretched so taut . . .” With baldness all the rage, why try anymore? And your epitaph is just right, rhythm & rhyme. Best wishes for some levity every coming day!
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Thanks, Linda. I really enjoy writing these epitaph poems. I wondered after the last storm if I should write one describing the death of my budding anticipation for spring.
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Death of your budding anticipation for Spring? Why? I am looking forward for the snow to thaw.
Molly, I enjoyed your epitaph for the snow man, the saw’d and thawed one. I had to read the other poem couple of time to get it, Tout stings!!
Keep on writing.
Purviben
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“Hymn to Comb-Over” is downright funny. I like your epitaph! I guess I was ready for some lightness in poetry, too. I wrote a few limericks.
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I enjoyed your limericks, Alice. With St. Patrick’s day coming up, I’ll need to play with those a bit. They can be quite tricky to write!
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Thank you. Check out the resource I shared; I went through it and it helped me focus on the elements of a limerick since I don’t write them but once a year. I worked for internal rhyme in some also. Once I wrote one, the other three came pretty quickly.
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Your epitaph to a snowman makes me smile. And with all the snow we’ve had in the northeast I think it’s wonderful to laugh at the mid white stuff we’ve all seen to much of! Thank you!
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I’m trying to find humor wherever I can. I’m glad you liked my epitaph. Thanks!
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“Hymn to a Comb Over” is hysterical! What a great thing to share. Your poor snowman – God rest him – it’s a joy to read. Just adorable. One of my goals is to try writing more poems. Thanks for sharing these.
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Comb Overs are such a funny topic for a poem and good evidence that you can find ideas anywhere! I’d love to see some of your poetry. Happy writing!
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You are bringing all the smiles today, Molly. I too have seen a few of those strings stretched taut – and wondered too, if they’ve ever looked at the back view. 🙂 Cute snowman poem. Poor (or is that ‘thaw’?) chap.
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Glad I could share some lighthearted fun, Kat!
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Your poem captures this excited, whimsical feeling of a snowman being created and then slowly fades as he is melted away. Your careful word choice is impressive!
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Are you referring to my use of the well-known “saw’d”? lol
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Thanks for making me laugh and making rhyming look so easy. I am here trying to bring closure to a group poem that needs to be in lines of 8 syllables and ending rhyme. The friends I am writing with want to be part of my gallery but are not in our poetry group. One provided a picturesque winter scene that is breathtaking. Off to rhyme. Wish me luck, Molly.
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I hope your rhyming struggles came to a happy conclusion–knowing you, I’m sure they did! Good luck!
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Thank you for sharing the light-hearted poems. They were such a nice way to end the Friday of a very busy week. Your epitaph to the snowman made me laugh, and I really needed that today. 😀
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Epitaph poems are really fun to write! I’m glad I added a note of humor to the end of your week. Thanks for stopping by!
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Hooray! for lighthearted. Indeed, we need it. A hymn poem, eh? I’m intrigued. What could I write a hymn to?
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I’m determined to find the perfect subject, Linda. The contrast between that formal structure and the off-beat topic really appeals to me. It would also be fun to write a more serious hymn poem. (By the way, I just made up that name. I have no idea if there’s a more appropriate one!) I hope you do write one (whatever we call it!) and share it as well.
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Thanks for the smiles, Molly. Love your snowman epitaph and the comb-over poem :).
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I love your snowman epitaph, Did you have it on Michelle’s site it sounds familiar to me. Lighthearted is good, I need more of it, thanks Molly!
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I didn’t have it on Michelle’s site, though I did share one there about a reader dying from a massive book slide. I’m a bit concerned that I find epitaph writing so much fun! This was a new one inspired by our recent snowfall and our short-lived snow girl.
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Ha!!
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“Hymn to the Comb-Over” is hilarious! I love your epitaph for your snowman. The word “jaunty” deserves more widespread use, don’t you think? Thank you for putting a smile on my face, Molly!
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Thank you for the welcome invitation to laughter! The Hymn to the Comb-Over is hilarious. I kept picturing people I knew as I read it. And your epitaph to the snowman is adorable!
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