Which poem should I memorize?

Cafe Society
101

Honestly I think even relatively dedicated fans of poetry will glaze over during epic recitations – better to cherry-pick the good stuff and keep it short enough to allow people to follow it. Leave 'em wishing for more and not less.

My favorite dramatic selection from Paradise Lost is in Book I, the passage about Satan’s fall. If you’re of a mind to go for length you can do the whole thing; I stuck to a bite-sized piece, cherry-picking Satan’s defiant speech:

When speaking, you can really ham it up during Satan’s monologue.

102

I don’t think I understand the ‘whoosh’ as quoted on SDMB… can someone elucidate?

103

The would be Elucidator’s job. But I can explain. A whoosh is a very obviously sarcastic comment that goes unnoticed by another poster. Or perhaps intentionally, but again, obviously obtuse remark. Something subtle does not count. Samantha Bee is not funny - Cafe Society - Straight Dope Message Board is a thread where I “whoosed” someone. Yes, pride is the most deadly sin.

104

I see the term explained as, “You’re putting us on.”

I wish I hadn’t used it this time. Trying to be a good boyo here.

105

I’ll only be impressed if you memorize “The Faerie Queene.” Anything else is child’s play.

106

Ozymandias

107

How about ‘Ozymandias’ by Shelley?

‘The Tyger’ by Blake is good too.

For a challenging rhythm, one of my favourites is ‘Pied Beauty’ by Hopkins.