Calvin Trillin

Verse Columnist

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

The Question of North Korea The Question of North Korea

Korea has the bomb, but not to worry.
It's not a crisis. No, we needn't hurry
To get inspections back. Why try to spot
The weapons they already say they've got?

Jan 8, 2003 / Column / Calvin Trillin

On Not Running For the Presidency On Not Running For the Presidency

We now feel warm toward Albert Gore,
Who will not run in aughty-four.
Most candidates, I must admit,
Seem at their best the day they quit.

Dec 23, 2002 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Republican Anger at Trent Lott Republican Anger at Trent Lott

Republicans feel anger, unconcealed,
Because Trent Lott revealed what he revealed.
They've always reassured the racist clods

Dec 18, 2002 / Column / Calvin Trillin

New Federal Hires New Federal Hires

So Elliott Abrams (the felon) is back,
And Poindexter's now a big cheese.
High-level appointments now favor the guys
With rap sheets instead of CVs.

Dec 12, 2002 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Silver Lining Department Silver Lining Department

"Mr.

Dec 5, 2002 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Inspections: The White House Fallback Position Inspections: The White House Fallback Position

If nothing shows in spyplane pics
And Blix finds nothing in the sticks,
That still won't put us in a fix.
We'll blame it on Iraqi tricks,

Nov 26, 2002 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Shmeer the Kids In Shmeer the Kids In

(An Upper East Side Sea Chanty
Sung to the tune of 'Blow the Man Down')

Nov 20, 2002 / Column / Calvin Trillin

The Silver Lining of General Rove’s Victory In the Midterm Elections The Silver Lining of General Rove’s Victory In the Midterm Elections

The talk of war has done its job.
Rove's hopes were far exceeded.
So maybe, with the voting done,
The war itself's not needed.

Nov 14, 2002 / Column / Calvin Trillin

The Ballad of Harvey Pitt The Ballad of Harvey Pitt

(With apologies, once again, to Stephen Sondheim and his demon barber)

Nov 7, 2002 / Column / Calvin Trillin

More Danger in Sniper Case More Danger in Sniper Case

With sniper suspect now in jail,
DAs are fighting tooth and nail.
They're in a monumental race
To see who gets to try this case

Oct 31, 2002 / Column / Calvin Trillin

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