© 2021 Kebba Buckley Button, MS, OM

Photo by Library of Congress on Unsplash (Woodcut Artist Ishikawa Toyonobu, 1741)
Did you know that today is Bad Poetry Day? Oh yes! A friend of mine who sells promotional products keeps me up on these things (Helen Goldman, Primo Promos). And this is on her monthly list: August 18, Bad Poetry Day. When I was in about sixth grade, all the kids knew what bad poetry was, and it made us laugh. It made us lighten up, which I later found out is fabulous for our health. As I recall, we did a poetry unit in Language Class. This brings up a few fun memories.
Do you remember, “Roses are red, violets are blue,” something something something, and the last line ends in “oo”? In class, all the kids got to make up their own next 2 lines. First, for full disclosure, I have to share that the original poem is actually text from Les Miserables by Victor Hugo (1862) — what, you thought Les Mis showed up first as a Broadway production? Oh no, it was a big French novel, over 1000 pages, a very hot seller in its day. And in case you were wondering why I feature the image of the woodcut, above, the woman is hanging poems in a cherry tree. This must have been a tree where messages were known to be exchanged. We can only surmise.
So let’s go back to fun poetry. A popular version of “Roses are red, violets are blue,” goes, “Sugar is sweet, and so are you.” Here are a few more:
Roses are red, violets are blue/But no flower in this world is as beautiful as you.
Roses are red, violets are blue/I have a Lottle (sic) Love for you.
Roses are red, violets are blue/If you were a flower I’d pick you.
Roses are red, violets are blue/Love never crossed my mind until I met you.
And my very favorite bad poetry was written that year by classmate Alan Pemberton, a guy who was always in a good mood: Roses are red, violets are blue/Grass is green, and sticks are brown. (Where is Alan today, anyway?) This poem still makes me chuckle.
Do you have favorite bad poetry? Would you like to share now, in the comment section? Lighten up and have a laugh! And that would be you– ever more Healthy Happy Loving Lifesm!
Kebba Buckley Button is a stress management expert, holistic healer, and award-winning author who celebrates life. She has a longtime natural healing practice and is an ordained minister. Among her books are: Discover The Secret Energized You (http://tinyurl.com/b44v3br), Inspirations for Peace Within: Quotes and Images to Uplift and Inspire, and Sacred Meditation: Embracing the Divine. The books are available on Amazon and through Kebba’s office. To email us, kebba@kebba.com .

Books by Kebba Buckley Button