Epigram. Another on the Said Occasion

Epigram. Another on the Said Occasion - form Summary

Wry Brevity, Moral Sting

This poem is an epigram, a very short, concentrated lyric form Burns used to deliver a single witty or satiric point. Composed in 1784, its epigrammatic shape focuses attention on economy of language, a sharp turn or punchline, and an immediate moral or ironic observation. The form encourages memorable phrasing and quick impact rather than extended narrative or reflection. For a first-time reader, expect compressed thought, a brisk tone, and a deliberately polished finish that aims to provoke thought or amusement in just a few lines.