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The Emperor Has No Prose

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December 4, 2019, F G I series 22 comic, sponsored by Brian Strand

Published on November 15, 2023, in PoetrySoup's third anthology, Reflections on the Important Things, Copyright © 2023 by Arczis Web Technologies, Inc. The poems contained therein are copyright of their respective authors.

This image was created with the assistance of DALL·E 3

The Emperor Has No Prose

An emperor spoke in poetic verse Which led to fame for him at first But after some time, it became a curse For the Emperor had no prose. Poetic measure determined his fate The body politic could not relate Leaving people in a befuddled state Yes, the Emperor had no prose. Seeking solutions from all his wise men Beseeching them each, again and again "When will poetic proclivity end? For I'm the Emperor and have no prose!" Long and hard, the wise men thought With no answers to the solutions sought So they hemmed and hawed, yelled, argued and fought, Still, the Emperor had no prose. The Emperor ended his quest in time No cure for his affliction could he find Relinquished the throne and became a mime At least he was able to pose!

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Andrea Dietrich

Date: 10/15/2022 10:30:00 AM

was checking again your BEST poems list and found this one at second place. As Panagiota said below: Brilliant! I just love things like this that poke fun. I did a poem long ago poking fun using the emperor's no clothes. But I forgot its name. I don't think I even posted it at Soup. It was a real oldie.

Mark Toney
Date: 10/15/2022 11:13:00 AM

Thanks, Andrea. This one was fun to write, and was able to be rated PG ;)

Panagiota Romios

Date: 5/29/2019 1:19:00 PM

Brilliant, Mark! PANAGIOTA

Mark Toney
Date: 5/29/2019 1:22:00 PM

Thank you so much, Panagiota! ~Mark

Robert Lindley

Date: 5/17/2019 8:32:00 AM

I thoroughly enjoyed this lively, delightful and humorous piece my friend. A poet should at least be able to pose, for a portrait if that rare thing called fame ever comes. eh? Fav-ing this delightful piece.

Mark Toney
Date: 5/17/2019 5:09:00 PM

Thank you, Robert, for the encouragement and the Fav! ~Mark

Gershon Wolf

Date: 5/14/2019 7:14:00 PM

This is priceless, Mark. An immediate FAVE! I had to check it out because of the title,...and the whole poem won me over. Best wishes, Gershon (soup mail)

Mark Toney
Date: 5/14/2019 7:50:00 PM

Gershon, thank you so much, for everything my friend. Your gracious response is priceless! ~Mark

Michelle Faulkner

Date: 5/8/2019 4:26:00 PM

Very amusing story, Mark, makes me wonder if you're referring to any current leaders by any chance?

Mark Toney
Date: 5/8/2019 8:56:00 PM

Lol, Michelle, you have left me speechless! ~Mark

Gregory Richard Barden

Date: 4/28/2019 8:09:00 AM

Wonderfully witty and whimsical, my friend, I enjoyed this thoroughly ... I am drawing all kinds of lines in my head, and wondering if I'm tracking correctly, lol. (Next - I am what Iambic? King Henry the Versed?) Great work, Mark! :-)

Mark Toney
Date: 4/28/2019 12:06:00 PM

Lol...Great comment, Greg! I’m glad you enjoyed it :) ~Mark

P.S. Awtry

Date: 4/26/2019 7:16:00 PM

Enjoyed every clever stanza and the end is perfect :)

Mark Toney
Date: 4/26/2019 7:55:00 PM

P.S., you’ve made my day! I’m glad you liked it :) ~Mark