Happy National Clerihew Day! (July 10)
I just found out that today (July 10) is National Clerihew Day. What the heck’s a clerihew? It’s a “whimsical, four-line biographical poem invented by Edmund Clerihew Bentley.”
More specifically, clerihews are four-lines long with an A-A-B-B rhyme scheme and irregular meter. The first line names a person — the subject of the poem.
Here are a couple I’ve written about writers:
Edgar Allen Poe
A writerly bro
Who’s famed for the Raven.
What a scary poem maven!
*****
The author George Orwell
We ought not ignore well;
His writings polemic
Ain’t at all academic.
*****
And here are two about actresses:
Bette Davis
Film joy gave us.
Seduced gals and guys
With Bette Davis Eyes.
*****
Mae West
For life had zest.
Stoked gals and blokes
With “evil” jokes.
*****
(You can find my political clerihews here.)
Happy birthday to George Orwell, born June 25, 1903.
Tags: Bette Davis, Clerihew, Edgar Allen Poe, Edmund Clerihew Bentley, George Orwell, July Holidays, June Birthdays, Mae West, National Clerihew Day, Poetry Forms
these are really cool…might have to pass this one on to gay for a formforall post…yours are def a treat to read…
Steve Jobs and Bill Gates
made computers deskmates.
Those devilish saints,
get our praise and complaints.
OK, you’ve inspired me now:
Happy Birthday, Tom Hanks!
And to you, we say, thanks!
For “Gump” and “Philadelphia”,
we’ll always think well of ya.
If Britney gets another chance
This time she better wear some pants
When getting out her SUV
She’s shown us more than we should see
Here’s my little contribution to this cool day!!!
Katie Holmes you’re free at last
You thought you had a marriage that would last and last
But you realized when Suri arrived
Just like TV this marriage was contrived!
Awww, I missed Clerihew day! I must mark my calendar for next year now. :P
Richard Diakin
At you I’ve been peekin’
You’ve a penchant for coffee
And I’m sure you like toffee
Thanks so much to all of you for joining in with your fun clerihews!