901

Autumn
by Joan Mitchell (age ten)

The rusty leaves crunch and crackle,
Blue haze hangs from the dimmed sky,
The fields are matted with sun-tanned stalks—
Wind rushes by.

The last red berries hang from the thorn-tree,
The last red leaves fall to the ground.
Bleakness, through the trees and bushes,
Comes without sound.

Southwestern Autumn

High hills and valleys are ablaze,
Stenchy black smoke clogs the night air;
The underbrush just seems too dry,
Left untended there.

Harsh August sun was hardly tolerable;
Thermometers check on the desert heat.
Hundreds of men with buckets in hand battle strong flames,
Never admit defeat.

902

MAMMA MIA
The hit single by Abba

I've been cheated by you since I don't know when
So I made up my mind, it must come to an end
Look at me now, will I ever learn?
I don't know how but I suddenly lose control
There's a fire within my soul

Just one look and I can hear a bell ring
One more look and I forget everything, w-o-o-o-oh

Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia, does it show again?
My my, just how much I've missed you
Yes, I've been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why, why did I ever let you go?
Mamma mia, now I really know
My my, I could never let you go

I've been angry and sad about things that you do
I can't count all the times that I've told you we're through
And when you go, when you slam that door
I think you know that you won't be away too long
You know that I'm not that strong

Just one look and I can hear a bell ring
One more look and I forget everything, w-o-o-o-oh

Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia, does it show again?
My my, just how much I've missed you
Yes, I've been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why, why did I ever let you go?
Mamma mia, even if I say
Bye bye, leave me now or never
Mamma mia, it's a game we play
Bye bye doesn't mean forever

Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia, does it show again?
My my, just how much I've missed you
Yes, I've been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why, why did I ever let you go
Mamma mia, now I really know
My my, I could never let you go

I LOVE WWW.ANAGRAMMY.COM
(My Union With A Joyous Domain)

I've been doin' this 'gram since I don't know when,
Now it seems to me it's doomed never to end,
Too many vowels, too few consonants,
I don't know how, but the balance is way too wrong
Why'd I choose this unruly song?

It goes on, through all eternity,
On and on (sod it, now I need a wee),
Wee-wee-wee.

Anagrammy, hey you, I'm back again,
I've been wide awake since daybreak,
Doin' the bloody 'gram again,
My my, I have got a headache,
I'd like to kick the habit,
But, like a horny rabbit,
I'm just at it all the time,
Mamma mia, you've got a hold on me,
My my, I would never let you go.

Today the blonde from upstairs rang on my doorbell,
She smiled, "Beneath my robe I am naked as hell,
"Some yummy wine, I have here with me,
"May I come in? You can pop my cork with me!"
I said, "Uh? Don't you be silly!"
"Just one 'U'!" I stamped my feet and I cursed,
"One dumb 'U' and I'd have done the whole verse - just go-o-o!"

Anagrammy, it's my only love,
Yum, yum, I just can't ignore it,
Mamma mia, we go hand in glove,
Yum yum, how much I adore it,
My, it's a fickle lover,
Teases me like no other,
Why why, can't I ever let it go?
I am sleepy, I'm very nearly through,
One verse, then to bed I must go,
Anagrammy, bye bye I'm leavin' you,
But I will be back tomorrow...

Anagrammy, hey it's me again,
My my, oh how much I've missed you,
Anagrammy, bed got in the way,
If you were a dame I'd kiss you!
Ooh, you are where my heart is,
Ooh, you are where my art is,
Mamma mia, you have really lent me a hand,
Wowee! Now I've done my anagram!

903

[Helen Hunt Jackson's poem October is anagrammed into a poetic political platform with a seemingly randomly-placed acrostic - and a twist:]

October by H.H. Jackson

The month of carnival of all the year,
When Nature lets the wild earth go its way,
And spend whole seasons on a single day.
The spring-time holds her white and purple dear;
October, lavish, flaunts them far and near;
The summer charily her reds doth lay
Like jewels on her costliest array;
October, scornful, burns them on a bier.
The winter hoards his pearls of frost in sign
Of kingdom: whiter pearls than winter knew,
Oar empress wore, in Egypt's ancient line,
October, feasting 'neath her dome of blue,
Drinks at a single draught, slow filtered through
Sunshiny air, as in a tingling wine!

Feelings in general and (frankly long) guarantees of Joseph R. Biden's opponent:

"I shall make sure our honored laws are dust -
    Though to be frank, they're nearly now a bust;
                           My brain's bent when I listen to a peer,
                                  Then pan the proof and helpful words I hear;
                            In my eyes, losing is the worst thing ever,
                                  While dealing fresher damage - my endeavor;
                              I shan't eject harsh statues of sheer racists;
             I'll gladly go to war with tanks (let's face it);
                                   I charred (and rather well) renowned commissions;
      With staffs, I only relish their audition.
                                  He trims each horrid trick to snatch the crown -
                     But no abhorrent cop shall bring me down!"


[This particular acrostic was picked because, if the two opponents are switched in the anagram, the 2nd candidate's new and more positive platform emerges...]


Feelings in general and (frankly long) guarantees of Donald J. Trump's opponent:

"I shall make sure our honored laws are just -
    Though to be frank, they're nearly now a bust;
                           My brain's best when I listen to a peer,
                                  Then pen the proof and helpful words I hear;
                            In my eyes, posing is the worst thing ever,
                                  While healing fresher damage - my endeavor;
                              I shan't erect harsh statues of sheer racists;
             I'll gladly go to war with banks (let's face it);
                                   I chaired (and rather well) renowned commissions;
      With staffs, I only relish their addition.
                                  He tries each horrid trick to snatch the crown -
                     But no abhorrent con shall bring me down!"