100,000,000,000,000 poems

When one with t'other straightaway agrees
His exaltation shocked both youth and crone
He bent right down and well what did he seize
'Ere meanings new to ancient tribes are thrown
The roundabout eats profits made on swings
That metred rhyme alone can souls enslave
An icicle of frozen marrow pings
Thou homestead hillside woodland rock and cave
It's no good rich men crying Heaven Bless
And starve the sniveling baby like a dog
Poor Yorick comes to bury not address
Southern baroque's seductive dialogue
The Taj Mahal has trinkets spice and gum
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.