100,000,000,000,000 poems

When one with t'other straightaway agrees
His exaltation shocked both youth and crone
The understanding critic firstly sees
And empty cages show life's bird has flown
And yet 'twas he the beggar Fate just flings
Filching the lolly country thrift helped save
The fertile mother changelings drops like kings
As sleeping-bags the silent landscape pave
Staunch pilgrims longest journeys can't depress
Shallots and sharks'fins face the smould'ring log
Poor Yorick comes to bury not address
No need to cart such treasures from the fog
On fish-slab whale nor seal has never swum
A wise loaf always knows its humblest crumb


Raymond Queneau

Translation to English by Stanley Chapman
found in "Oulipo Compendium"
Atlas 1998, ISBN 0-947757-96-1

Idea and implementation by Magnus Bodin 1997
Produced in the wonderful country of Sweden.