OCT 31, Toronto oases: Rouge national park

OCT 30, death and the afterlife: ghostbusting equipment

  You can review more poems about 'Death and the Afterlife' in context ('death and the afterlife') on our full-service blog 'Edifying Nonsense'. Click HERE!

OCT 29, exotic destination: Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina

Other verses about 'Exotic Travel Destinations' can be found on our blog 'Edifying Nonsense'. Click HERE.

shoreline of Charleston Harbor,
cruiseship approaching in shipping lane

approachable 'wild' waterfowl,
an attraction at the Shem Creek boardwalk

OCT 28, Toronto ravines: floating islands at the Brickworks WIP

technical glitch transferring videos remains unresolved.

Sorry.

See other views of Toronto's Brickworks HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.

 

OCT 27, objectionable adjectives: 'estival' and 'hibernal'

Authors' Note: 

Bestival is a best-before-date neologism based on best of all.

In English there are fortunately many nouns that we can use as adjectives when the situation demands. In the opinion of this author, summer(adj.) and winter(adj.) are less cumbersome descriptors than estival and hibernal, despite the opinion of some lexicographers. 

You can review our editorially selected doggerel (six verses) relating to 'Objectionable Adjectives' by clicking HERE.

OCT 26, limerick variations: C-rhyme disciples

 

C-RHYME EXTENSION

Poet laureate, Seamie O'Malley

Wrote his opus in Limerick Valley,

Quote recorded in history:

"I've found, there's no mystery,"

A- and B-rhymes are boring

(New formats exploring).

An adventure worth mention

Is C-rhyme extension,"

Cry around which disciples would rally.

Dr.G.H. and Giorgio Coniglio, 2022

Author's Note:  Well, yes. This verse does go on at length (including a D-rhyme extension), but in a highly regulated fashion that would have been applauded by the famed lyrical seer and his followers. Support by a cadre of Irish disciples had materialized initially, but to O'Malley's bitter disappointment, was unsustained globally.

 You can find lots of other verses on this blog under the rubric "Poets' Corner".  Most of them are in limerick format, and have been subjected to the editing process at OEDILF, the Online English Dictionary in Limerick Form. To access all the others, type the phrase Poets Corner into the searchline on this blogpost (at the top of the righthand navigation column).

OCT 25, mythed opportunities: Galatea (and Pygmalion)

GALATEA ("My Fair Lady")

There's a sculptor from old Nicosia,

Whose kits you can buy at Ikea.

That instills a new life

In your fetish or wife

(Help from Venus worth mention).

Pygmalion's invention:

Animation for nymph Galatea.

Dr G.H. and Giorgio Coniglio, 2022

Authors' Note: The ancient Greek myth about the Cypriot sculptor Pygmalion was recounted by the Roman poet Ovid in his epic work "Metamorphoses" in 8CE. The name of Pygmalion's self-crafted ivory love-object was not recorded until French romanticists picked up the issue in the 19th century. In 1871, the British comic playwright W.S. Gilbert composed a modernized spoof in blank verse, "Pygmalion and Galatea", that became a successful hit, as did "Pygmalion", George Bernard Shaw's theatrical contribution, and its musical and cinematic adaptations known as "My Fair Lady".

 

OCT 24, patients and their maladies: brain symptoms post-trauma

Authors' Note:  In American football, 'rushing' means running the ball after starting behind the line of scrimmage, not including forward passes. The play continues until the player carrying the ball, usually a backfielder, is tackled.

 

You can view these verses in a wider context by proceeding to 'Nurse-Verse: Patients and their Maladies' on our full-service blog "Edifying Nonsense". Click HERE!

OCT 23, STD-poetry: monkeypox

Authors' Note:   In June 2022, the World Health Organization announced that

it would find a new name for 'monkeypox', to de-emphasize its overstated enzootic connection.    

You can review verses on this topic in a wider context in a post on our full-service blog "Edifying Nonsense" by proceeding to the post 'Ruination, Rumination and Reminiscence: STD-Poetry'. Click HERE. 

 

OCT 22, planet-saving verse: phosphate detergents

 

PHOSPHATE-CONTAINING DETERGENTS                

Ecological problem emergent:

Home appliances use a detergent,

photo per televised documentary

In which phosphates are blended

To keep dirt suspended

(Soap for laundry or dishes).

Algal blooms choke out fishes.

Stop eutrophification — that's urgent!

Dr G.H. and Giorgio Coniglio, 2022

Authors' Note: 

Detergent is a Latin-derived term for a product that 'wipes away' dirt.

You might be interested to review our recent post about the dishwasher as a residential appliance.

You can help save the planet by viewing all our verses in this series at "Edifying Nonsense". Click HERE!

OCT 21, hellenophilia: Greek evzones

 

Authors' Note:

Evzone (EHV-zohn, anglicized form): member of anelite unit drawn from the Hellenic Army Infantry Corps

Grand Change: a more elaborate version of the hourlychanging of the guard (taking place on Sunday morning at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in
Athens' Syntagma Square), providing a popular photo-op for locals and tourists

klepht (KLEHFT): Greek fighter in the War of Independence

fustanella: kilt made from 30 meters of white cotton, supposedly with 400 pleats to represent the years of Ottoman occupation.

OCT 20, waterfowl: willets

 

You can review these illustrated verses in a wider context by proceeding to 'Immersible Verse: Limericks about Waterfowl' on the full-service blog 'Edifying Nonsense'. (Or, if you prefer, you can view them on Facebook in Giorgio's photo-albums).

OCT 19, mythed opportunities: Leda and the swan

LEDA AND THE SWAN

Wily Zeus, from Olympus, espied

Leggy Leda, King T.'s trophy bride.

He, disguised as a swan;

She, beguiled thereupon,

Later laid two eggs, took that in stride.

When she strayed, things got laid — cut and dried.

Dr G.H. and Giorgio Coniglio, 2022

Authors' Note: King T. refers to Sparta's King Tyndareus, husband of Leda. These characters in the story of "Leda and the Swan" were presumably mortal. However, relevant accounts, as depicted in literature and representative art, vary as to the mortal status of the couple's famous offspring (the twins Helen and Clytemnestra, and Castor and Pollux were hatched as human babies from the oversized eggs.)

"Leda and the Swan"
a subtle rendition with the swan at her feet,
see the posting "Greenhouse"

OCT 18, reprehensible modern history: submarine warfare #3

Charleston, South Carolina played a major role in the development of submarine warfare. The Cold War Submarine Memorial is located at Patriot's Point in Mt. Pleasant SC, on the eastern side of Charleston harbor. 

At our full-service blog 'Edifying Nonsense', you can review our entire collection of panels about the history of submarine warfare, as well as the lyrics to the parody-song "Relic Submarines". Click HERE. 

View the entire collection of poetic assertions on this topic (currently small, but growing) at our more encyclopedic blog 'Edifying Nonsense', by clicking HERE.

OCT 17, higher connections: haredim

 

HAREDIM  (charedim)

In Israeli locales they're assembling,

Nineteenth-century forebears resembling.

Modern scene? They're seceding,

Other groups they're outbreeding.

Haredim: at God's word they are trembling.

Dr.G.H. and Giorgio Coniglio, 2022

Authors' note: 

(khah-ray-DEEM)

Various groups of strictly Orthodox or haredi (khah-RAY-dee) Jews represent an expanding demographic in Israel, assembling in particular neighborhoods (such as the suburbs of Jerusalem) where they carry out their lifestyle, rejecting and disdaining the secular environment, preferring a world characterized by observance of laws derived from the Torah (Old Testament). Their traditional dress reflects the groups' roots in 19th century Ashkenazi religious communities in northern Europe. The name (the plural noun form) originates from a biblical reference to those who tremble at the word of God.

With large families (averaging 7 children per female), these groups made up 4% of Israeli citizens in 1980, and 13% in 2021.

OCT 16, Ontario nostalgia: bunkie

BUNKIES

In Ontario's lake-land, a bunkie

Provides cottage guests lodgings quite clunky:

Crammed with odd boating gear,

Plumbing, heating? — not here!

Musty smell, bugs make overnights funky!

Dr.G.H. and Giorgio Coniglio, 2021     OEDILF #115007

Authors' Note: Although specific municipalities often have additional stringent regulations, the building code for the Canadian province of Ontario specifies that any property can have a detached structure measuring up to 10 square meters (108 square feet); plumbing and heating are not allowed in such structures. They may accommodate seasonal use for guests, although off-season or year-round storage of equipment is also a major use. Cottage owners and their guests have come to refer to these detached small buildings, often outfitted with bunk beds, as bunkies.

 

OCT 15, non-sequitur: dishwasher (appliance)

AUTOMATIC DISHWASHERS

Though its uptake was slow and inertial,

The dishwasher's not controversial:

Home designer's reliance

On this kitchen appliance

Trails only its usage commercial.

Dr.G.H. and Giorgio Coniglio, 2022

socialite who developed a mechanical dishwasher
to protect her porcelain while being washed;
 invention unveiled at the World's Fair, Chicago, 1883

slow uptake of the residential dishwasher
(photos per televised documentary)

inside a current residential dishwasher

 storage place for dirty dishes
(photo by G.C.)

a brand new dishwasher
(photo by G.C.)

Our collection of 'Non-Sequiturs' on our parent blog "Edifying Nonsense", contains an admittedly bizarre assortment of nonsensical odds-and-ends, that don't quite fit into other topic-based offerings. But should you want to review the entire collection, click HERE.

 

OCT 14, doctors and their practices: the dermatologist

 You can view these informative verses in a wider context by proceeding to the collection 'DOCTORS and their PRACTICES' on our full-service blog "Edifying Nonsense". Click HERE!

OCT 13, numbers: baker's dozen, bark mitzvah (13)

 You can review our cumulated nonsense about 'Numbers and Counting' by clicking HERE.

OCT 12, pluralia tantum: the backwoods ('rural plurals')

 

Authors' Note: 

Urals: The Ural Mountains, a discrete range runing north and south, separates old Russian from more sparsely populated Siberia, and is considered as the boundary between the continents of Europe and Asia.

 The above verses provide further examples of the grammatical phenomenon pluralia tantum. We have discussed in other verses here the relationship of pluralia tantum to medical nomenclature, to life-cycle celebrations, to cooking ingredients, and to fields of study.

Grandpa Greg asked us to pass on this message: "You can view the entire collection of verses about 'pluralia tantum' by clicking HERE."

OCT 11, patients and their maladies: hoarding disorder

HOARDING DISORDER

My friend takes a jaunt every quarter

To support her Aunt Clutter, a hoarder,

Who stores mail on her bed,

Sleeps on sofa instead;

In her house, far from clean,

She keeps felines, fifteen.

That's a sort of compulsive disorder.

Dr.G.H. and Giorgio Coniglio, 2022

Authors' Note: Although folks with this engrained problem may be categorized as having depression, schizophrenia or obsessive-compulsive disorder, hoarding disorder may be a psychiatric entity in its own right. 

OCT 10, variant Nantucket limerick: the lad from Salinas

Happy Thanksgiving to all our Canadian friends. See tomorrow's post for an illustrated verse about that great fall holiday!

Editor's Note: In order to read today's verse, you must provide proof that you are over the age of 12. 

Authors' Note: The Sankaty Head Light is a famous lighthouse on the US island of Nantucket. It also serves as the pictorial symbol for OEDILF, the Omnificent English Dictionary in Limerick Form. 

You can review our entire collection of spoof verses based on the iconic Nantucket limericks on our full-service blog 'Edifying Nonsense' by clicking HERE.

OCT 9, planet-saving verse: coy koi

 CONTAINING COY KOI 

Said the nishikigoi, "Please enjoy,

We don't mean to put off or annoy,

Other fish are just duller;

Koi delight with our color,

But your freshwater ponds we'll destroy."

("With the mud-stirring shtick we deploy.")

Dr G.H. and Giorgio Coniglio, 2022

Authors' Note: The Amur carp, Cyprinus rubrofuscus, is a long-lived freshwater fish native to extensive areas of Eastern Asia. Centered in the Niigata prefecture of Japan, breeders have taken advantage since 1820 of genetic variability in the color of fish-scales to produce variants in a variety of remarkable decorative colors that may be further enhanced by selection and cross-breeding. Nishikigoi ('brocaded carp'), less formally referred to as koi ('carp'), have been recently pursued further as a hobby and as a commercial interest in various Asian countries.

On every continent, koi populations have 'escaped' and become established as invasive intruders in freshwater ponds and streams (where their color eventually reverts to that of undomesticated Amur carp). As koi characteristically alter the environment, increasing the turbidity of freshwater bodies, native species have been displaced.

Koi contained in an indoor environment 
Allan Gardens, Toronto

You can help save the planet by viewing all our verses in this series at "Edifying Nonsense". Click HERE!

OCT 8, toxic vignette: 'mad as a hatter' (the Danbury shakes)

 

THE 'DANBURY SHAKES'

Erethism: Does mercury matter?

You'll recall the phrase mad as a hatter?

And the Danbury shakes?

Toxic history takes.

World War Two closed the plant; that's the chatter.

Town's Still River's still feeling the splatter.

Dr G.H. and Giorgio Coniglio, 2022

Authors' Note: Erethismus (irritation) mercurialis, synonym for mercurialism, was well-known by Lewis Carroll's time, as signs of chronic poisoning had become common among workers in the hatting industry in which salts of mercury were used in the felting of furs; his character, the 'Mad Hatter' reflects the prevalent stereotype.

  In the US, hat-making was centered in the Connecticut town of Danbury, where the majority of long-term workers were subject to the 'Danbury shakes' as well as other neuropsychiatric manifestations. The plant continued in operation, including the dumping of wastewater effluent, until the early 1940s. It closed at that time due to staffing shortages and the need for mercury in the armaments industry.

   In 2020, a study of fish populations in Danbury's Still River showed alarming levels of mercury; the persistence of this toxic residue reflects, in part, the concept of biomagnification. 

Review all our poems of toxicologic interest by clicking HERE. 

OCT 7, American satire: 'from the archives'

Some readers may wish that the fifth line's 'BLOCKhead' could be replaced by another  assonance-laden word, targeted at the second line's melodic term 'riDICulous'.  

We hope that you enjoyed this verse. You can find 30 more on this topic in 5 collections on our full-service blog 'Edifying Nonsense'.  Click HERE to start! 

 

OCT 6, (re)duplications: helter-skelter

HELTER-SKELTER

Peccadilloes, full tilt, in a welter,

From such turmoil, pell-mell, you'll need shelter!

Hit-or-miss, disarray —

For more order you'll pray,

And you'll land on this word: helter-skelter.

Dr G.H. and Giorgio Coniglio, 2022 

Authors' Note: This (re)duplication has elements of impulsiveness, thoughtlessness and randomness in common with harum-scarum, pell-mell and hodge-podge.

 

OCT 5, inspired by Ogden Nash: a sloth in a slough

Ed note: Here's a morbid version of the iconic verse, "The Flea and the Fly" ...

Authors' Note: We love Ogden Nash poems, and we know that many readers do as well! So, you might enjoy our previous poetic perambulation around the topic 'Attribution to Ogden Nash'. Click HERE! 

 

Incidental Photo:

shrimpboats at sunset, Carolina lowcountry

OCT 4, brief saga (organic brain poetry): metabolic delirium

METABOLIC DELIRIUM

"911: Uncle Phil is delirious!"

EMS arrives, puzzled; they're querious.

"Doesn't use drugs or booze,

Found attacking his shoes,

And he's threatening violence serious!"



"Phil, it's wintry outside, and you're nude.

Please get dressed; we'll get tests to conclude

Why you've gone on this rant, sir.

Yes, I see at a glance, sir,

That those poor shoeless Martians are rude."

In the ER now (Phil's wearing pants, sir),

Metabolically, what is the answer?

There's hyponatremia,

Hypercalcemia,

And widespread but unknown late cancer.

Dr G.H. and Giorgio Coniglio, 2022

Authors' Note: The authors were surprised, on researching this point, to learn that urgent hospital admissions in patients with unsuspected cancer in the late metastatic phase are commonly triggered by symptoms of delirium. Among metabolic determinants, sometimes hypercalcemia (elevated blood calcium level) is found, but the cause of delirium may remain undiscovered. Hyponatremia (a low serum sodium level ) characterizes a relatively frequent metabolic derangement, not specifically linked to cancer, that may cause confusion, and even delirium or seizures, in elderly patients eating diets low in protein and salt.

This verse belongs to a series on organic causes of neuropsychiatric symptoms, the others being frontal meningioma, hypothyroid depression, general paresis of the insane, cerebral metastases, beriberi and high-dose steroids.

AND, HERE'S A LIST OF LINKS to collections of intriguing verses on other medical/dental topics that can now be found on various posts including:

Patients and their Maladies (parts #1, #2 and #3)

The Bottom Line of Medical Humour

Funny Bones (parts #1 and #2)
Doctors and their Practices (part #1 and #2)

To Clot or Not to Clot

The Scopes of Modern Medicine

Handbook of Medical Testing Statistics

Organic Brain Poetry

Pandemic Verses

Poetry of Healthcare

STD Poetry

Diagnostic Imaging (selected topics)

Toxic Vignettes

Sleek Greek Prefixes

Ecto-Parasites

Oncology

Dental Feelings

and in 'brief sagas' including:

Drug Development

Radiation Exposure

Methylated Spirits

The Gastro-Esophageal Junction

Workplace Pollution

Food Intolerance

Fluoridation

Metabolic Delirium

Alcohol and Beriberi

OCT 3, bar-fauna: Gary the gator

You can review photos and illustrated herpetologic verses in a wider context by proceeding to 'Verses about Reptiles' (don't worry! no snakes)' on the full-service blog 'Edifying Nonsense'.

Or, if you particularly liked this submission, you might want to refer to our entire collection of verses about bar-fauna: human and animal denizens of bars, pubs and other watering-holes. Click HERE.

Gary, as seen here is an excellent swimmer.