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The Duck
by Ogden Nash
Behold the duck.
It does not cluck.
A cluck it lacks.
It quacks.
It is specially fond
Of a puddle or pond.
When it dines or sups,
It bottoms ups.
_________________________
Ogden Nash was a poet who remembered to be silly. Poetry is often an art of drama, but Nash – though he occasionally provided a poignant piece or two – delivered a lot of observational comedy. Probably for that reason, and because it is a rare gift in this genre, Nash is one of my favorite poets.
This short eight line piece contains no stanza breaks. Nash uses an AABBCCDD rhyme scheme. The first four lines are concerned wit the sound a duck makes. Lines five through eight focus on where a duck lives and how it eats.
In line seven, Nash describes the duck as performing typical human activities – “dines” and “sups.”
Line eight is Nash’s punch line. Nash carries on with describing a duck’s behavior in terms typically reserved for humans. Humanity might say “bottoms up” while enjoying a drink. Nash connects line eight back to line five and reminds us that the term can mean something more literal when applied to a duck on the water.
Originally published November 23, 2020
I wouldn’t mind some actual duck reviews, how about Anas rubripes as a starter?
I’m probably more likely to provide duck recipes, if I’m being honest. I definitely wrote a goose recipe at some point for Michaelmas. I don’t know if you’re aware, but it’s incredibly hard to purchase a Christmas Goose here in the Year of our Lord, 2025.
I do find myself developing a greater interest in birds and bird-watching as I get older. Maybe I could start a blog series, complete with bird calls, etc. I love me a good whip-poor-will call, or seeing a cardinal.
Not to brag, but I found a goose guy a few years back, unless you’re talking about the cost – that is hard to endure
Having a goose-guy is definitely worthy of some bragging. The best I’ve been able to do is find some online dealers who will ship me one. The cost is not ideal.
The cheapest way to get a goose is from the neighborhood pond, but I don’t think I’m up for that, somehow.