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A collection of original and previously published wordplay poems. These poems create their effect by playing with punctuation marks or grammatical rules, alphabet and number poems, palindromes, acrostics, puns, double-meanings, shape poems, calligrams, riddles, epitaphs, and limericks.
This collection centers on the creative tension between rigid linguistic rules and the playful subversion of those same structures. The poems function as a series of intellectual exercises where the protagonist is the language itself, constantly being bent, broken, and rearranged to reveal hidden meanings. Through a variety of forms, the text challenges the reader to look past standard syntax to find humor and logic in the mechanics of writing. The narrative framework is non-linear, presenting a diverse array of poetic styles that prioritize structural experimentation over traditional storytelling.
Readers frequently highlight the cleverness of the wordplay and the accessibility of the various poetic forms presented. Discussion often centers on how the book serves as both an entertainment piece and a tool for understanding the flexibility of the English language. Critics note that the pacing is brisk, allowing for quick engagement with individual poems without requiring a long-term commitment to a single narrative. The balance between visual presentation and linguistic wit is often cited as the primary strength of the work, making it a frequent choice for those interested in creative writing exercises.
Page Count:
94
Publication Date:
1996-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
019276084X
ISBN-13:
9780192760845
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