Lines on the Antiquity of Microbes

Lines on the Antiquity of Microbes, also known simply as Fleas, is a couplet commonly cited as the shortest poem ever written. Variously attributed to Shel Silverstein, Ogden Nash, or simply an unknown or anonymous author, it was most likely written by American poet Strickland Gillilan in the early 20th century.[1]

The poem


Lines on the Antiquity of Microbes

Adam
Had 'em.
 

References

  1. ^ Shapiro, Fred R. (2006). Yale Book of Quotations. Yale University Press. p. 310. ISBN 9780300107982. http://books.google.com/books?id=w5-GR-qtgXsC&pg=PA310&lpg=PA310&dq=%22strickland+gillilan%22+microbes&source=web&ots=1WTP9Wwm6S&sig=8-hGqbxq3Q9j7tC5WuI9eIFgm1I.