"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

 

If Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Arlo Guthrie were to come together at a financial poetry slam, what might it sound like? That question has been haunting me for some time. And I attempt to answer it in our new ‘Poem of the Week’—which is actually two poems.

In one, I do a parody of Browning’s famous "How Do I Love Thee?" I then parody Guthrie’ immortal paean to motorcycling. E-mail in your vote for best of show. No winner will be announced, however so as not to embarrass the loser

Where Went My Money?

Where went my money? Therein lies a tale.
I lost it in the slip and skip and lurch
That stocks can take, when traders go in search
Of Phantom market Peaks and endless Tops.
I lost it in the everyday churning gale
Of brokers’ fees, and other Wall Street perks.
I lost it quickly, hot to buy on dips;
I lost it slowly, taking guru tips.
I lost it with a frenzy once reserved
For sporting teams, and raunchy teenage dreams.
I lost it in a way that never swerved
From dumb old paths—But now with plans more sound,
Cool, calm, and rearing to go—and with fresh Reserves,
I know I’ll do much better this time ‘round.

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Market Preferences

I don’t want a nickel,
I just a bump in the business cycle;
And I don’t want to cry,
I just a dip in the CPI.

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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

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