Many “serious” poets look down on limericks, but I love hem. They’ll warm me up or down, before or after a day’s writing.
For one, they are a short, pretty rigid, structure. So every single word has to justify its inclusion. Is this the best word to use in this particular gap? So it forces me to think about my word choices.
For another, they are direct. You say what you mean – there’s simply no room for ambiguity. I believe that makes them more accessible to readers, especially those who might usually find poetry a challenge.
And lastly, pretty much by definition, a limerick is supposed to be funny. And what better way to spend time than to make someone chuckle?
Here are some samples of my limericks. And just a warning, I wrote them with an adult audience in mind!
A purveyor of canine cuisine
Got sucked into his mincing machine,
He was chopped up and ground,
Then deliciously browned,
And once cooked, turned the dog food bright green.
When a forthright somellier Chris,
Quaffed a new wine, he swiftly dismissed,
Said “Some wines are sublime,
They get better with time,
But this one, I’m afraid, tastes like ….”.
A choirmaster straight from Glamorgan,
Left the church-goers shocked, and what’s more, stunned.
He sat down at his perch,
Near the front of the church,
And he started to play on his organ!
A missionary in a tight spot,
Ended up in the cannibals’ pot.
Then they ate him up, whole,
Left not even a bone.
Could have used some more pepper, they thought.
While at college my friend was a dandy,
But caught pox one night while getting randy,
Abstained calendar year,
Till he got the all clear,
Which was good news indeed for his handie.
I hope you enjoyed them.
