free-verse16 lines
Speech Economy
by Ringgold Wilmer LardnerSince he began to talk and sing,
I've learned one interesting thing -
The value of a verb is small;
In fact, it has no worth at all.
Why waste the breath required to say,
"While toddling through the park today,
I saw a bird up in a tree,"
When "Twee, pahk, birt," does splendidly?
Why should one say, "Please pass the bread,"
When "Ba-ba me" is easier said?
And why "I'm starved. Have supper quick,"
When "LUNCH!" yelled loudly, does the trick?
Why "I've been riding on a train,"
When "By-by, Choo-choo" makes it plain?
"Let words be few," the poet saith,
So leave out words and save your breath.