Shapes of Clay, ironic and satiric verse

Ironic and satiric verse. According to Wikipedia: "Ambrose Bierce (1842 - 1914) was an American editorialist, journalist, short-story writer and satirist, today best known for his An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge. Bierce's lucid, unsentimental style has kept him popular when many of his contemporaries have been consigned to oblivion. His dark, sardonic views and vehemence as a critic earned him the nickname, "Bitter Bierce". Such was his reputation that it was said his judgment on any piece of prose or poetry could make or break a writer's career. "