Happy March to everyone out there in the Do Art Nation! Hopefully your art projects are going well, as we all gear up for spring. Spring is a special time for us at Do Art because spring means April, and April means poetry month!
Poetry month is one of my favorite times of year, because it allows people to explore poetry as the music of words, and celebrate an art form that gives people unique access to their imagination, and their own personal wackiness.
Oftentimes, we as grownups can get fixed into the idea that poetry has to be serious. And yes, poetry absolutely can express serious emotions, deep feelings, human issues that can be difficult to express in any other way. But poetry can also be whimsical, fun, and wacky.
I was recently looking for some wacky poems, when I was reminded of one American poet who specializes in wacky poetry: Ogden Nash. Ogden Nash was a purveyor of very silly, very wacky poetry. But one of the fun things about his poems is that they lend themselves beautifully to being recited, relating funny stories that expand the imagination and, hopefully, make us laugh.
One especially wacky poem is The Tale of Custard the Dragon. As with any wacky poet, Ogden Nash is willing to innovate with language, using words like “realio,” and “trulio:” words that may not be found in the dictionary, but which add a sense of play to the poem. The story itself is one of a little girl, her brave friends, and one scaredy-cat pet dragon. The poem itself is a marvelous and funny adventure and I encourage you to read it. Extra credit if you read it out loud!
But don’t just read it to yourself! One of the fun things about poetry is that it is meant to be shared. From the very earliest times, poetry was recited aloud among friends and family members, as they shared stories, funny anecdotes, and deep meditations about life and art. Poems like The Tale of Custard the Dragon are especially fun if you look at the words on the page, read them aloud, and let the story come to life. Dare to make it wacky!
What other wacky poems should we share with the Do Art Nation for poetry month? Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to keep creating!
