The Wonderful "One-Hoss-Shay", and Other Poems

Name: The Wonderful "One-Hoss-Shay", and Other Poems
Author: Oliver Wendell Holmes

By Oliver Wendell Holmes

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

American Literature Humour Poetry

About This Book

A mixed collection of witty narrative poems and shorter lyrical pieces that marries satirical humor with reflective sentiment. A central comic parable recounts the meticulous building of an impeccably made carriage whose logical construction produces an abrupt, surprising outcome, using irony to examine invention and consequence. Other poems range from playful social satire to quiet meditations on aging, loss, and everyday life, employing conversational diction, precise rhyme, and varied meters. The book alternates extended ballads with concise sketches, balancing comic storytelling and pointed observation of human character and domestic scenes.

About the Author

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. was an American physician, poet, and essayist, known for his contributions to literature and his role in the development of American thought in the 19th century. He was a prominent figure in the literary circles of his time and is best remembered for his work "A Mortal Antipathy," which explores themes of love and social interaction through a unique narrative style. Holmes was also a key member of the Fireside Poets, a group that included notable contemporaries such as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and James Russell Lowell. His essays, particularly those in "Medical Essays, 1842-1882," reflect his keen observations on society and culture, showcasing his wit and intellect.