Writing the Worst Verse

I cringe at the thought of writing
the worst verse in the universe.
I would have to light a match
and set fire to every ridiculous word
if someone thought it so terrible
and their criticism I had overheard.

But if all of the words were my own
I would smile and take it in stride
knowing that I had not plagiarized 
the written poetry or lyrics of another.
I would never do that to a song writer
or steal the poems of a poetry brother.

I could never intentionally misspell
any word when a dictionary is handy.
Sometimes I decide to punctuate verses,
and sometimes I leave the cage door open
It depends on the mood I happen to be in...
happy with what I written, or if I'm mopin'

You ask, "To rhyme or not to rhyme..."
that's never the right question for me.
I never worry about how, why or when...
I just follow the path my hunger leads
cuz when it's feeding time, my mind is open
to plant rose clippings or wildflowers seeds.

In lighthearted Limericks I sometimes write
bawdy lines that might raise an eyebrow
but not even then would I sabotage the form
I think my hand would tremble and shake
if I made mistakes on purpose.... hmmm no
and if I had a Muse, her heart would break.

*Obviously NOT written for a contest

humorpoetryfree verse

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Dorothy Gibbons

June 27, 2026 at 2:25 PM

Wow Lin I applause you and everything you write is heart n soul. AI users make me mad being scottish need a headbutt ( Glasgow kiss its called in scottish ) Writing is a gift you either have it or u don't I say if you don't then don't steal AI bye bye ;) I tried AI once for a laugh as I knew it wouldn't understand my accent ha ha it didn't said at end was that what u wanted. I typed utter rubbish AI not a mate of mine haha hugs u rock my socks off with your with and truth. X

Tania Kitchin

June 11, 2026 at 3:45 PM

Lin, an excellent poem, so creative and straight to the point. It's a shame fake poets are stealing the limelight with their stolen lines and AI while their muse is mud and their hearts are dead. I love the second stanza. A fav.

Lin Lane

June 11, 2026 at 3:51 PM

Thanks a lot, Tania. I couldn’t sit on my hands to keep me from writing what many know but ignore.

Jan Allison

June 11, 2026 at 1:40 PM

Your poem made me smile as your poetry is brilliant and you could never write the worst verse, I wish admin would deal with issues on the site especially stolen lines but as they didnt deal with blatant and proven plagiarism then its pointless alerting them and don't get me started on the limerick form lol. hugs jan xx

Lin Lane

June 11, 2026 at 3:49 PM

There’s the problem… not enough people care.

Jan Allison

June 11, 2026 at 2:10 PM

I guess i must use toilet paper to polish my poop poems BUT at least i don't revert to using stolen lines and chat GP like I have witnessed recently:-( lets be honest if you read something and it's 'too good to be you' alarm bells start to ring

Lin Lane

June 11, 2026 at 2:03 PM

Is there a thin line between brilliant and dull? No Ma'am, not in poetry. It's only those who refuse to see and admit that the dull are using someone else's polishing rag that makes them seem to shine. Thanks, friend of mine.

Daniel Henry Rodgers

June 11, 2026 at 12:54 PM

Dear Lin, you opened the door to your writing room and let me watch the whole process, grinning. Even while you’re joking about writing the “worst verse.” You make the art feel alive. I can't imagine you writing a bad verse. :) Blessings, Daniel

Lin Lane

June 11, 2026 at 2:01 PM

Hi Daniel. You're always welcome into my parlor, though you're in no danger since I am not a spider. Sometimes, things I feel the need to write just jump out at me. For this one, I had a little push to write what needed to be said. Thank you for enjoying the ins and outs of my poetry. ;-)