Calvin Trillin

Verse Columnist

Calvin Trillin is The Nation’s “deadline poet.”

Condoleezza Rice Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice, who is cold as ice, is precise with her advice. Yes, she is quite precise, and, yes, she's cold as ice.

Feb 17, 2005 / Column / Calvin Trillin

A Tabloid Reader Responds to Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Announcement That He’s Appealing the Decision Making Gay Marriage Legal in New York A Tabloid Reader Responds to Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Announcement That He’s Appealing the Decision Making Gay Marriage Legal in New York

Though Mike must do what he thinks right,
A lot of us think it's a pity,
Since we were hoping SpongeBob might
Decide to marry in the city.

Feb 10, 2005 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Democracy Flowers in the Middle East Democracy Flowers in the Middle East

So now this election is done.
What will follow it--maybe a
Reversal so women can drive
Cars in Saudi Arabia?

Feb 3, 2005 / Column / Calvin Trillin

We Could Have Danced All Night We Could Have Danced All Night

(The Bushes Do "My Fair Lady" at the Inaugural Balls)

Jan 27, 2005 / Column / Calvin Trillin

On the Confirmation of Condoleezza (‘Mushroom Cloud’) Rice as Secretary of State On the Confirmation of Condoleezza (‘Mushroom Cloud’) Rice as Secretary of State

The mushroom-shaped cloud Condi spun
As being the next smoking gun
Was hooey invented to show
Attacking Iraq's apropos.

Jan 20, 2005 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Hunky Dory in Iraq Hunky Dory in Iraq

(A Song Sung in the Shower Every Morning by
George W. Bush)

Jan 13, 2005 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Assigning Responsibility Assigning Responsibility

Defending Rumsfeld, Bush says Rummy's great,
That as a planner he has been first rate--
Respected in the White House and the ranks.

Jan 6, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Calvin Trillin

On the Reappointment of John Snow as Secretary of the Treasury On the Reappointment of John Snow as Secretary of the Treasury

The people in the know said Snow
Was someone who would have to go.
The dollar's at an all-time low.
On Wall Street, numbers fail to grow.

Dec 22, 2004 / Column / Calvin Trillin

On the Poisoning of the Opposition Candidate In the Ukrainian Presidential Election On the Poisoning of the Opposition Candidate In the Ukrainian Presidential Election

His blessings Kerry now can count.
That wasn't so hereto.
But now we see some limits on
What even Rove would do.

Dec 16, 2004 / Column / Calvin Trillin

The Party of Moral Values Displays Its Own in the Case of Majority Leader Tom (The Hammer) DeLay The Party of Moral Values Displays Its Own in the Case of Majority Leader Tom (The Hammer) DeLay

         I.
In order never to convey
A tolerance for going astray,
Republicans, who now hold sway,

Dec 9, 2004 / Column / Calvin Trillin

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