Mayhem Poetry Tuesday

The Mayhem Poets' unique approach to poetry and language won them first place-- and a $100,000 prize!-- in the Microsoft Idea Wins Challenge in 2006 (watch the video below). Since then, they've recorded CDs, worked with hip-hop artists and other musicians, and toured around the world. Their New York City-based educational training operation, Slam Chops, provides opportunity and encouragement for aspiring poets of all ages.

 

In addition to Mayhem Tuesday, Poetry on Parade today celebrates Mardi Gras -- that's French for Fat Tuesday. The name refers to the custom of eating rich, fatty foods before the Lenten season, which starts tomorrow on Ash Wednesday. Popular Mardi Gras traditions include wearing masks, donning colorful beads and costumes, dancing, and, of course, parading! 
Our Performance Poem of the Day, written by Irish comic poet Spike Milligan, is full of rhythm and rhyme and ridiculous tongue-twisty word play. The word mayhem means chaos and confusion, and today's poem certainly flips things upside down, creating a little verbal chaos and confusion: it's a perfect tongue-twisty nonsense poem to celebrate Mayhem Tuesday and Mardi Gras!

On the Ning Nang Nong

On the Ning Nang Nong

Where the Cows go Bong!

and the Monkeys all say BOO!

There's a Nong Nang Ning

Where the Trees go Ping!

And the Tea Pots Jibber Jabber Joo.

On the Nong Ning Nang

All the Mice go Clang!

And you just can't catch 'em when they do!

So its Ning Nang Nong!

Cows go Bong!

Nong Nang Ning!

Trees go Ping!

Nong Ning Nang!

The Mice go Clang!

What a noisy place to belong,

is the Ning Nang Ning Nang Nong!!

We don't know what it all means, but we do know that it's a fun poem to recite alone or with a group. Enjoy your Mayhem Tuesday and Mardi Gras celebrations, and keep an eye on all the things that go ping! clang! bong! on the Ning Nang Nong!