Lewis Carroll

Lewis Carroll makes me laugh. I’ve never been one for serious poetry, don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against it and some of it can be very moving, but I’ve never enjoyed it as much as I enjoy listening to music. However, poetry I do like and enjoy is the funny stuff, especially Lewis Carroll. He had a way with words that resonate with me. I think he’s the kind of writer that you either love or hate, a little bit like Marmite! Here’s an example of his work:

How Doth The Little Crocodile – Lewis Carroll

How doth the little crocodile
Improve his shining tail,
And pour the waters of the Nile
On every golden scale!

How cheerfully he seems to grin,
How neatly spreads is claws,
And welcomes little fishes in,
With gently smiling jaws.

You see, it’s fun, though I doubt the fishes think so. I also love his play on words that he does in poems like

The Jaberwocky – Lewis Carroll

‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

He had a big influence over John Lennon who wrote a couple of books of poetry and short stories, ‘In His Own Write’ and ‘A Spaniard In The Works’.  Here’s a few lines as an example:

Good Dog Nigel – John Lennon

Arf, Arf, he goes, a merry sight,
Our little hairy friend,
Arf, Arf, upon the lampost bright
Arfing round the bend.

John Lennon

I hope you have enjoyed these 2 short snippets from 2 wordsmiths of different generations. I find myself sitting quietly sometimes and a few lines of ‘nonsense’ will come into my head. Here’s my example:

Spikey Like A Pickle – Me

In the morning when I’m tired,
Waiting for a tickle,
I have no work, I am retired,
Spiky like a pickle!

Silly Old Sod

There you have it. You can find more about Lewis Carroll here.