100,000,000,000,000 poems

Don Pedro from his shirt has washed the fleas
For tea cucumber sandwiches a scone
The understanding critic firstly sees
Normal one aims to be and share the throne
Old Galileo's Pisan offerings
Rejecting ermine to become a knave
The learning linguist cameramaniac sings
To break a rule Britannia's might might waive
Poetic licence needs no strain or stress
A bird-brain banquet melts bold Mistress Mog
Watching manure and compost coalesce
Lobsters for sale must be our apologue
The Taj Mahal has trinkets spice and gum
They're kings we're mammal-cousins hi ho hum


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.