...crying on the inside. In our troubled world, reading the newspaper can prove a dismaying experience, with bad news often outweighing the good. Photo of man in China by Marie-Claire Holmes, 2005.
This week's Poetry Thursday prompt is to find humor in poetry. At the moment, I don't feel much like laughing, so didn't attempt to write a funny poem. But I found offerings from the After Hours group of Langston Hughes Selected Poems, first published in 1959. When I read the poems, I couldn't help but smile at the bittersweet comedy and tragedy of life.
What?
Some pimps wear summer hats
Into late fall
Since the money that comes in
Won't cover it all -
Suit, overcoat, shoes -
And hat too!
Got to neglect something.
So what would you do?
Gone Boy
Playboy of the dawn
Solid gone!
Out all night
Until 12 - 1 - 2 a.m.
Next day
When he should be gone
To work -
Dog-gone!
He ain't gone.
I love Langston Hughes. Thank you for bringing his poems to Poetry Thursday.
Posted by: January | 17 July 2006 at 02:23
LOL Your pimp theme made me giggle. I don't think of pimps in the same post as you. I love all the layers of Tara :)
Posted by: Tammy | 13 July 2006 at 16:42
best of luck in London! I will be thinking of you, please email me anytime xoxo
Posted by: ms*robyn | 13 July 2006 at 13:23
err, Hughes. Sorry. thought I'd proof read that!
Posted by: bb | 13 July 2006 at 13:10
Intriguing poems, I haven't really read any Langston Highes. I love how they work with such specific detail of a life.
And, hey, I loved your meme as well. (typepad wouldn't let me post my delight though). You named your pet Allen after your first kiss? Absolutely cracked me up!
Happy travelling!
Posted by: bb | 13 July 2006 at 12:59