Godspeed: good fortune; success (used as a wish to a person starting on a journey, a new venture, etc.).

April, as the poet T.S. Eliot would say, is the cruellest month.

Yes, two L's in cruellest. At least by British standards.

It's also National Poetry Month, which this month celebrates its 30th anniversary. Here, here!

So, welcome to the annual issue of Godspeed where we try to find business connections to this ancient literary form – and my one chance each year to get some of you to read and think about a poetry.

Oh, and a warning: There is a cartoon at the end of this issue that's of questionable character, which must mean I'm a questionable character. It's included because it caught me by surprise, complete misdirection, is topical to this issue (poetry), and gave me a good laugh, which I needed that day. So be forewarned...🙈

My own questionable character notwithstanding, I'd like to dedicate this issue to Renée Good, poet and human rights champion, 1988 to 2026. You are missed by many and remembered by far more. Her talent is on display in her prize-winning poem, On Learning to Dissect Fetal Pigs.

Godspeed, friends.

Russ

The Poets of the Business World

"There's no money in poetry. But there's no poetry in money, either." Robert Graves, English poet, novelist, and critic.

I've always loved that witty, pithy quote. Its parallel construction, its deep embedded meaning in just 12 words – everything about it.

Today, I'm going to write a bit about those companies that DO try to incorporate poetry into their business – Certified B Corps.

There is indeed a lyrical aspect to the architecture of B Corps that is missing from traditional business. Perhaps that's because capitalism calls to mind the architecture of Soviet-era brutalism.

Interesting to think about, that, the contrast between communism and capitalism, the distant poles in our philosophical economic solar system.

B Corps and other business forms – think co-ops, benefit corporations, purpose trusts, etc. – represent the business poetry of people and place by painting from a broader color palette rather than the black and white (or red) of bottom-line results measured solely by profit.

B Corps actively seek to improve our environment, the lives of stakeholders across the global socio-economic system, while also delivering a reasonable financial profit to go along with the rewards of societal impact.

So, here's to the B Corp poets, our modern-day Beat poets rebelling against business as usual, who put rhyme into words and words into action, working to reshape capitalism for the betterment of us all.

I'd say that puts poetry into money, wouldn't you?

A Poem For You – Just Because

Reflections on Ice Breaking

And because everyone loves a short poem, here's one from 1931.

Reflections on Ice Breaking – Ogden Nash

Candy

is dandy

But liquor

Is quicker

The Soul of a Poet

Poem-A-Day

Here's a painless way to start each day with a moment of poetry –d a fresh poem sent to your inbox. It's free.

⚠️⛔️☣️☢️

🚥‼️⚠✋

🙈 Warning: Poem of Questionable Character