Calvin Trillin

Verse Columnist

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

We’re Safe From Saddam We’re Safe From Saddam

A Joyous Song of Deliverance for Spring

May 29, 2003 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Thoughts of Those Who Served in George W. Bush’s Air National Guard Unit Thoughts of Those Who Served in George W. Bush’s Air National Guard Unit

When he lands on the deck in his flight suit
To impress all the sailors he's greeting,
It looks grand, but there's one thing we're thinking:

May 22, 2003 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Wal-Mart Bans Maxim, Stuff and FHM Wal-Mart Bans Maxim, Stuff and FHM

Now Wal-Mart's banned those mags for lads
But so far hasn't banned the scads
Of other soft-core porn on view--
Like busty dolls that do kung fu,

May 15, 2003 / Column / Calvin Trillin

On the Revelation of William Bennett’s Gambling Habit On the Revelation of William Bennett’s Gambling Habit

Bill Bennett told a grateful nation,
"Be moral. Just resist temptation."
By windbag airing of this thesis,
Bill Bennett got as rich as Croesus.

May 8, 2003 / Column / Calvin Trillin

On the Search for Weapons of Mass Destruction, Whose Presence Was the On the Search for Weapons of Mass Destruction, Whose Presence Was the

So maybe we will find them yet,
Well stashed away in some place clever.
Or were they just destroyed in March?
Or never there at all? Whatever.

May 1, 2003 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Wars Wars

(A preventive-war anthem sung to the tune of "Trees," by Joyce Kilmer, with piano accompaniment)

Apr 24, 2003 / Column / Calvin Trillin

On The Halliburton Corporation’s Iraq Contracts On The Halliburton Corporation’s Iraq Contracts

A lot of folks die.
At last the war ends.
The world is made safe
For Dick Cheney's friends.

Apr 17, 2003 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Everything George Bush Needs to Know He Learned on the Playground Everything George Bush Needs to Know He Learned on the Playground

Let's say that from the east while you look south
An icy snowball hits you in the mouth.
You see the kid who did it run, the wretch,

Apr 10, 2003 / Column / Calvin Trillin

On the Resignation of Richard Perle, Captain of The Sissy Hawk Brigade, On the Resignation of Richard Perle, Captain of The Sissy Hawk Brigade,

And so for Richard Perle was writ
The second graf of his obit:
This soaring bird of hawkish myth
Was grounded when discovered with
His talon in the cookie jar

Apr 3, 2003 / Column / Calvin Trillin

On Richard Perle, Lobbyist, Businessman And, Perhaps Not Coincidentally, Chairman of the Defense Policy Board On Richard Perle, Lobbyist, Businessman And, Perhaps Not Coincidentally, Chairman of the Defense Policy Board

The plans to start this war were laid
Within the Sissy Hawk Brigade--
A band of Vietnam evaders
All puffed up now as tough crusaders.

Mar 27, 2003 / Column / Calvin Trillin

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