This third in a series of beau présents for my favorite poets was written in tribute to a poet I have adored since childhood, Ogden Nash. Because beau présents are composed only of words made up from the letters contained in the person’s name, I decided to expand the vocabulary I could use by utilizing his full name (did you know his first name was actually Frederic?). They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery so I have attempted to copy his familiar style with rhymes and irregular lines. I’m afraid the poem that resulted may just be nonsense, but hopefully, as fun to read as it was to write:
A Beau Présent For Frederic Ogden Nash
Frederic Ogden Nash
carried no foreign cash
(no francs, dinars, or Danish coins in his coffers),
ignoring his French granddad’s condescending offers
of finance,
and offended France.
Published by Paul Szlosek
Paul Szlosek was born in Southbridge, Massachusetts, but currently resides in the nearby metropolis of Worcester. He was co-founder and host of the long-running Poet’s Parlor poetry reading in Southbridge and Sturbridge, as well as a past recipient of the Jacob Knight Award for Poetry. His poems have appeared in various local publications including the Worcester Review, Worcester Magazine, Sahara, Concrete Wolf, and Diner. He’s probably best known in the Worcester poetry community for his fanatical obsession with obscure poetry forms, and has invented his own including the ziggurat, the streetbeatina, and (most recently) the hodgenelle.
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Paul's Poetry Playground 
You are a master of the form, Paul! It stills scares me a bit to give it a try, but one of these days I will relent. Well written!
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Thank you, Brad. You are too kind! I do hope you will relent, It can be a challenge to write, but very fun. I know you would do an excellent job.
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Wow, you captured the form well, Paul! I’ve yet to try it but have it in my to-dos.
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Thank you, Eugenia You are very kind. I am eager to see your beau present when you write one.
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A delightful (and clever) tribute, Paul!
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Thank you so much, Mitch! I really apprciate you kind words.
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