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The British Museum
The best sources repeat it, unending,
For the scholars in every lyceum:
Many art works, of nations unlending,
Can be found in the British Museum.
There are statues and weapons and baskets,
Which could fill the entire Colosseum;
Plus, amphoras and armor and caskets.
All are found in the British Museum.
They stole art works on every excursion.
Each success earned a joyful “Te Deum!”
All the booty, Egyptian or Persian,
Was displayed in the British Museum.
Japan’s block prints are not found in Nippon;
So, there’s no need to go there to see ‘em.
Tho’ they capture Japan’s scenic beauty,
They reside in the British Museum!
There’s no doubt, if the Britons had found one—
A preserved, ancient peritoneum—
Though the practice may seem an unsound one,
It would lie in the British Museum!
Since old England has slowly been dying,
It will soon need its own mausoleum.
Then we’ll learn, though without really trying,
England’s now in the British Museum!
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peritoneum: the serous membrane forming the lining of the abdominal
cavity or coelom in amniotes and some invertebrates, such as annelids.
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Frosty Apples
Herewith a verse;
Concise and terse:
In Wintry time,
My pomes all rime.
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Guy Graybill is a retired educator whose half-dozen non-fiction books have been published in the U.S., with one being published in England. His rhymes have appeared in varied sources in the United States and England. He lives in Pennsylvania.
Clever and witty–especially the end of “Museum.”
Those are two creative and witty poems. “The British Museum” has a great extended rhyme scheme with outstanding words to match. They are both informative and fun. The terse verse is also clever and fun with “rime.”
I love all the rhymes you’ve found for “museum.” A fun poem, except for the sad ending.
A fun, clever poem, Guy.
I wasn’t sure, though, whether the England ‘dying’ line was an historical (Olde England of yore), judgmental (end of Empire) or political (left, right) reference.
Thanks for the read.
Guy,
I love Frosty Apples! Four short lines blend into a delightful and complete poem. Would love to read more like that one.
The British Museum poem is highly entertaining and I got a good laugh from reading it, thank you. I like the idea of England being in the British Museum.
“The British Museum” is an excellent, concise display of wit and learning.