Potpourri by Harry Graham (1924)

Name: Potpourri
Author: Harry Graham

This collection of poems subverts traditional proverbs and sayings, presenting darkly humorous and often irreverent reinterpretations of familiar phrases. The work explores themes of mortality, morality, and the human condition through a series of clever and sometimes unsettling reworkings of common expressions.

By Harry Graham · First published 1924 · Genre: Humor, Satire, Poetry · 888 words

First lines

There are many more Maxims to which I would like to accord a front place, But alas! I have got To omit a whole lot, For the lack of available space; And the rest I am forced to boil down and condense To the following Essence of Sound without Sense:

Now the Pitcher that journeys too oft To the Well will get broken at last. But you'll find it a fact That, by using some tact, Such a danger as this can be past. (There's an obvious way, and a simple, you'll own, Which is, if you're a Pitcher, to Let Well alone.)

What this Textopian page supports

Potpourri is listed on Textopian as a poem by Harry Graham, dated 1924 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Poem
Author: Harry Graham
Date: 1924 CE
Language: English
Genres: Humor, Satire, Poetry, Parody, Literary Criticism
Length: 888 words
Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Potpourri by Harry Graham
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Potpourri?
How does this poem by Harry Graham fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Humor first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Humor — The work is a collection of humorous and satirical takes on traditional proverbs, using wit and irony.
Satire — The text employs satire to critique and playfully subvert conventional wisdom and societal norms.
Poetry — The work is written in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter to convey its themes.
Parody — The text parodies well-known proverbs by twisting their meanings and presenting them in a comedic light.