Ode to ABD Selvam

Names of friends/identifiable people replaced with dummy names

A chance discovery on some rambling journies online led me to a list of “botanical poems” by ABD Selvam on Research Gate. A back and forth ensued with a friend based on these.

Oh name, Your matte finish transcribed into lovely gloss by another name polish Your sweaty skin, like your ideal teacher intended, morphed into sweet relish

Whither the Mogaral¹, asks name, Tui-tui, the neutered tailor bird’s reflection quite male.

Finish the bloody review, you slacking ogre Or return it to the rhyming doctor!

Response from name

O Prashanth, your rhymes make me numb Just like our friend, Dr. A.B.D. Selvam’s

“Sweaty skin/sweet relish” is beyond the pale As is your rhyming another name with male

Rhyming doctor, you are abysmal Your poetry is naught but dismal

• Mogaral’s book and perhaps a review needs to be hyperlinked
• If no review available online this treasure must be reviewed!
• Check if PDF of book is available - if not within limits of what copyright law allows, this has to be put in public domain - at least excertps!

Footnotes

1. See the excellent treatise (sarcasm alert) on courship in the Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius) in Sunita Mogaral’s book ↩