
With an Introduction by Gelett Burgess
Introduction
An Inside Con to Refined Guys
A bold, tongue‑in‑cheek celebration of the sonnet arrives with a swagger that feels both classic and freshly street‑wise. The narrator frames the form as an elegant crystal goblet, then deliberately tips it over, letting slang spill into each fourteen‑line stanza. Listeners will hear the clash of Renaissance reverence with the snap of modern colloquialisms, as the poet treats love, vanity and fate with both lofty metaphor and gritty, off‑beat phrasing.
The collection feels like a literary duel between polished poetry and its rebellious sister, slang, each line striving to make two words bloom where one once stood. References to Shakespeare, Petrarch and Victorian verse mingle with punchy turns of phrase like “You’re the real tan bark!” and “O Fate, thou art a lobster!” offering a fresh, playful lens on timeless emotions. Expect a witty, rhythm‑rich journey that honors tradition while joyfully subverting it.
Language
en
Duration
~24 minutes (23K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David A. Schwan. HTML version by Al Haines.
Release date
2003-12-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1876–1959
Known for quick wit and wide-ranging creativity, this American writer moved easily from light verse and satire to novels, journalism, screenwriting, and musical theater. His work has a playful, lively energy that still feels fresh.
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