Tag Archives: doggerel

But Here We Are: Me and…

Posted on May 4, 2020 by JMN

I feel foolish at bobbing and weaving through the tall grass of music theory, unled and untaught, not glimpsing even sky, much less horizon. All I would have to have done — note the pluperfect infinitive — is to have … Continue reading →

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Saloon Spittoon

Posted on January 21, 2020 by JMN

The bucal effluvia belched from limousine and lectern  drums the ear like the per- cussive splot of a hocked  louie slapping a saliva slick  in a saloon spittoon. (c) 2020 JMN

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Relative Generality

Posted on January 8, 2020 by JMN

When you reach a fork in the road Pick it up like Einstein thought in nineteen-oh-seven At his business of therefore’s that People in free fall do not feel their own weight Equals floating in gravity-free space So no work … Continue reading →

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Don’t Worry: An Original Poem

Posted on September 13, 2019 by JMN

It’s said worrying about the future is paying interest on a debt not owed. Yet, who worries about the past? The essence of worry is that it targets the unhappened. Do not worry about Bahamians in Dorian’s path. Their flesh … Continue reading →

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Lineman’s Whine (audio)

Posted on December 5, 2018 by JMN
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“Odor of Sanctity”

Posted on August 24, 2018 by JMN

Odor of Sanctity James Mansfield Nichols The body is detritus wrested free From the last-minute clutch of agony. The mortal launchpad of a soul now lies Charred by the life’s fierce burn, the prey of flies. The faithful fight for … Continue reading →

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“The Odds”

Posted on August 10, 2018 by JMN

The Odds If you’re a person given to gambling, What odds would you lay on the following: A grizzled dude straddling his big Harley Presents his better half as his “old lady”? His better half (who sports a lovely tan) … Continue reading →

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“Sock Hop Bop Flop”

Posted on August 4, 2018 by JMN

Sock Hop Bop Flop An Admonitory Fable for Tragedies Averted (To all my students who made it through graduation) Bee-Bop-A-Ree-Bop, A lockdown jam, A lockjawed ham, Good golly, Miss Molly, Lookin’ hot damn! Bee-Bop-A-Ree-Bop, A hounddog dude, Blue suede shoe’d, … Continue reading →

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“Vassar Pembroke Confronts the Spanish Language Teacher”

Posted on July 23, 2018 by JMN

Vassar Pembroke Confronts the Spanish Language Teacher Vassar Pembroke busts his chops, Spits her mind with no preamble, Says his teaching method flops According to her daughter Campbell. “Campbell says she’s not inspired. You do not motivate her much. Your … Continue reading →

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“Madame Declines”

Posted on July 21, 2018 by JMN

Madame Declines She revels in how much she couldn’t eat, And favors guests with bite-by-bite accounts Of steaks foregone and casseroles’ defeat, Sweets unsavored, succulence renounced, Salads, fruits, and relishes galore Spurned with a disdainful “Nevermore!” She weighs in mightily … Continue reading →

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