Xyxillology

[MystyrMystyry]

Here was a Gholnankle jylging on a frunsh
And next zape a Brymble about to guzz brunch
Drubbed by anon were a Knoom, Quoid and a Whyzzill
Then goobled a zoober, and a peekle with byzle
But not before a Meusaxx vrang 'Out of key!'

Up stood the Chilph who aimed with crooked ear
Then a Phrarmakle wielding a binker without any fear
Over stepped a hymnack, and also a Whux
One a politician, Karjarsing the flux
And finally a grumble rose - all because of he

[Hawkman]

OK, this is a fun idea MM, but you are overdoing it. The trick to making nonsense verse work is to have an internal logic which enables the reader to get a handle on it. This is just like reading code groups. See how Lear does it, or Carroll. If you want a slightly more modern example, try Thurber (The Thirteen Clocks). He actually used WW1 code groups, but he made them mean something to the reader. This is almost reminiscent of surrealist poetry, which is useful to recite when confronted by a mugger, at least according to the late George Melly who found it scared the mugger off, but only almost.

Best, H

[MystyrMystyry]

Thanks Hawk - it's from my latest novel, which, when placed in context, makes sense (trust me).

Each chapter begins and closes with the first and second half of a verse of this form (though not all as extreme and indecipherable on its own as this), and that's part of the fun - working out how the poem fits.

There's more to it than this quick description, so stay tuned!

(Sorry to inflict it on you without explanation, but I didn't feel like prefacing it - poems should stand on (or fall off) their own feet I reckon)