"Nowadays, you can't turn on the TV without some talking head telling you about the economy. Yet, in a world overrun by 'analysts,' only one man has the guts, the brains, and, quite frankly, the poetry to put it all in perspective.That man is Michael Silverstein... Silverstein is a true intellectual." — Gersh Kuntzman, The New York Post

"Few people have found much to laugh about in the stock market this year. Michael Silverstein is the exception. The Bard of the Bourse can find humor in losing money, globalization and stock options." — USA Today

More Of What The Critics Are Saying
About Silverstein's Verse

 

A.E. Housman (1859-1936) was a distinguished Latin scholar who wrote some very good, short English verse. His best-known is probably "When I was One-And-Twenty," the subject of which is that things change, and not alwayts for the better. My own fractured version of this work advises today’s market winners to keep a few pengos in reserve for a rainy day.

When I Was Up A’Plenty

When I was up a’plenty
A market pro told me:
"Play stocks, junk bonds and options
But don’t all safe bets flee;
Take chances with some money
But don’t go pig on me."
But I was up a’plenty,
Could not the poor man see?

When I was up a’plenty
This same pro did disclaim:
"You may require quick money
When sunshine yields to rain.
It’s wise to have cash handy
When markets come unglued,"
Now I am getting margin calls
And oh, I’m screwed, I’m screwed.

*******

©2007 Michael Silverstein

Poem of the Week

Past Satirical Verse

Books by
Michael Silverstein

Guest Poems

Wall Street Poet Blog

Financial Essays

Reviews of Silverstein's
Financial Verse

About the Poet

Contact

back to top