In defence of the punster (verse)

My good friend Sanjiva Prasad drew my attention to this piece in NYT on puns

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/28/opinion/28Tartakovsky.html

And this is what I wrote in response.

I must say, Dr Prasad, the author in question
Is not quite good at what I am best in
But doth catch the point somehow, on this habit
With the precision saw of one Ms. Bobbit
A punster does not take for granted a word,
until its meaning or letters are unfurled
Ignores the jealous critic and lowly barbs,
procedes to pun, low in calories and carbs
For the adolescent in him cocks a snook
at the pretentious Adults who feel the spook,
of a Force unleashed in impulsive wit
--that somehow reveals his listener is a twit
The listener is not quick on the uptake of humour
as much as he is about office rumours
Of exits and fix-its and other such lowly news
and sundry stuff that makes him blow his fuse
Now the receiver in question, wordily offended
Thinks his cause must somehow be defended
Puts on his face-mask of high-value taste
demolishes the Punster in unseemly haste.

(c) N. Madhavan, 2009