Mark Twain has become a Russian doll of surprises, with new works, such as his memoir, being uncovered and rediscovered over a century after his death.
While distinguished in the literary canon for his novels, short stories, and essays, a recent article by Maria Popova highlights his less-publicized affinity for poetic verse. Twain produced over 120 comedic and serious poems in his life, which is fairly prolific in light of his infamous “literary declaration” that he loathed the form. The subject matter ranged from fatherly advice to his daughters to a eulogy for his canine companion.
To judge whether he had a hidden talent or was defeated by a medium he didn’t understand, read the full article in Brain Pickings.
