Patrick Kurp passed along the detail that William Topaz McGonagall was "the worst poet in the world." I tried reading his
The Tay Bridge Disaster and my eyes hurt too much to finish. I think he bests
The Sweet Singer of Michigan (perhaps best known now for a little tweaking she got from Twain in Huck Finn(*)) for the title of worst.
(*) I had no idea she inspired Ogden Nash.
Well in a sense, it has been remembered for a very long time because of William. So he got that part right, anyway.
ReplyDeleteOh, c’mon, that is the most hilarious poem about a train wreck I’ve ever read. It’s definitely got more merit than a lot of contemporary free verse.
ReplyDeleteOgden Nash, who wrote some poetic classics, was inspired by a VOGON!?
ReplyDelete