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He bent right down to pick up his valise
His exaltation shocked both youth and crone
Forms shadowy with indecision wheeze
And empty cages show life's bird has flown
It's one of many horrid happenings
The North Wind Bites into his architrave
Th'outrageous Thames a troubled arrow slings
Etruscan words which Greece and Rome engrave
Platonic Greece was not so talentless
Or grinning like a pale-faced golliwog
The country lane just thrives on farmyard mess
No need to cart such treasures from the fog
Suits lisping Spanish tongues for whom say some
For Europe's glory while Fate's harpies strum


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.