Limerick-Off Monday – Rhyme Word: FRAY or DEFRAY at the end of Line 1 or 2 or 5

It’s Limerick-Off time, once again. And that means I write a limerick, and you write your own, using the same rhyme word. Then you post your limerick as a comment to this post and, if you’re a Facebook user, on Facebook too.

I hope you’ll join me in writing a limerick using either “FRAY” or “DEFRAY” at the end of Line 1 or Line 2 or Line 5. (Homonyms or homophones are fine.)

The best submission will be crowned Limerick Of The Week. (Here’s last week’s Limerick Of The Week Winner.)

How will your poems be judged? By meter, rhyme, cleverness, and humor. (If you’re feeling a bit fuzzy about limerick writing rules, here’s my How To Write A Limerick article.)

I’ll announce the Limerick of the Week Winner next Sunday, right before I post next week’s Limerick-Off. So that gives you a full week to submit your clever, polished verse. Your submission deadline is Saturday at 10:00 p.m. (Eastern Time.)

Here’s my limerick:

My mood is horrific today.
My temper’s beginning to fray.
I’ve been summoned to court,
And money is short,
So somebody’s going to pay.

Please feel free to write your own limerick using the same rhyme word and post it in my comments. And if you’re on Facebook, I hope you’ll join my friends in that same activity on my Facebook Limerick-Off post.

To receive an email alert whenever I post a new Limerick-Off, please email Madkane@MadKane.com Subject: MadKane’s Newsletter. Thanks!

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86 Responses to “Limerick-Off Monday – Rhyme Word: FRAY or DEFRAY at the end of Line 1 or 2 or 5”

  1. Patrice of the ManyCats says:

    Under, the Bored Walk

    Once again, here I enter de fray
    For Mad’s limerick, starting today:
    I love my own stuff,
    But she’s ruthless and tough!
    (Why not mine, in dim lights off Broad’s Way?)

  2. Patrice of the ManyCats says:

    Boss On Fire, Things Could Get Dire

    His temper is starting to fray…
    The entire staff retreats to make way.
    He’s bright red and glaring:
    Oh no, caught me staring!
    Quick, I’m “sick”, gotta leave for the day :(

    When summoned, the engineers pale,
    Their jobs on the line – without fail.
    Mr. B stalks the halls
    Gloating as each man crawls.
    Liked the women, but Beaufort 10 gale…

    [In memory of the driven top guy at my Pasadena CA employer, 1985-9:
    Dick Bertagna ]

  3. Brian Allgar says:

    I’ve been lost in the desert all day,
    And my clothes are beginning to fray.
    Now the vulture team dips,
    And they’re smacking their lips
    As the biggest one quips “Let us prey.”

  4. Brian Allgar says:

    OLYMPIA

    The girl, needing cash to defray
    Her expenses, posed nude for Manet.
    But she got quite a shock
    When he pulled off his smock
    Saying “Painting can wait for today!”

  5. Al Hood says:

    To his menopausal wife, Mae
    Said the man, “how much do you weigh?”
    When he’s conscious again
    He’ll need many yen
    For the hospital bill to defray.

  6. Judith H. Block says:

    Though best to keep above the fray,
    Can’t always ignore what people say.
    If someone is rude
    I will join the feud
    And no matter what, win the day.

  7. Judith H. Block says:

    The US should stay out of the fray..
    It’s the masses that they will betray.
    Corporations win big
    The toxic oil rig!
    It’s always the people that pay.

  8. Judith H. Block says:

    The story line began to fray.
    Though the senator knew what to say.
    He was well rehearsed
    And had been coerced
    Still bright people he could not sway.

  9. scott says:

    to everyone’s utter dismay
    they threw themselves into the fray
    of nuclear talks
    and those damned chicken-hawks
    are agents of treason today

  10. Mark Kane says:

    Now divorced and thrown back in the fray,
    José found a nypho named Fay.
    As he thrusted his sword,
    And repeatedly scored,
    She roared and kept screaming: “Olé!”

  11. Rose Ketring says:

    To every school teacher’s dismay
    Spring break led every kid astray
    assignments undone
    thanks ruinous sun
    time to join in on the fray!

  12. She said write a limerick today
    I tentatively answered okay,
    I’ve never written one before, but
    I slammed the door shut
    And told myself it’s gonna be better than The Fray!

  13. Dave Johnson says:

    Their agreement was, he would defray
    All expenses and they’d slip away.

    The tickets were bought;
    But alas, he was caught,

    Now she’s off on a free holiday.

  14. There once was a Norse god named Frey
    Who made folks be fertile, they say
    “By the hammer of Thor,
    “Have some babies, have more!
    “And someday they’ll call this Norway!”

  15. Brian Allgar says:

    The charge was: “She caused an affray.”
    Fifty fellows, in all shades of grey,
    Had been fighting to fuck her,
    But thanks to good luck, her
    Kind judge was the winner that day.

  16. Zelick Mendelovich says:

    Titan Torture 15.03.2015 

    Prometheous made men of clay 
    then handed them fire, go and fray 
    “Your insides” said Zeus 
    by an eagle’s abuse 
    will defray your folly that day 

    The eagle came back every day 
    to gnaw his new bollocks at bay 
    his cries were in vain 
    each day the same pain 
    rude humour of Homer at play?

  17. Dave Johnson says:

    Some candidates will join the fray
    When fat-cats come out to play.

    Maybe dumb or less-gifted,
    With money bags grifted

    They might win; then we get to pay.

  18. Junior Cotton

    Does the thought of a nuclear fray
    On your mind ever heavily weigh?
    To allay your concern
    It might help if you learn
    From a story I’d like to convey

    We were close, in a land far away
    To a plan that Iran would obey
    But before they could sign
    The proverbial line
    Junior Cotton stepped into the fray

    Cotton’s hope was to cause a delay
    Or to side-track, unsettle, and fray
    Global nuclear talks
    While congressional hawks
    Rattle sabers and bluster and bray

    Junior Cotton contends by the way
    That the presidency is passé
    That a deal with ‘The Chief’
    Would be worthless and brief
    And in statecraft the Senate holds sway

    But his stupid seditious display
    Caused the Tea Party caucus to fray
    And while they’re walking back
    His subversive attack
    Saner statesmen will Kerry the day.

  19. Dave Johnson says:

    She requires he’ll have to defray
    Her full fee and then she will play.

    The old pros can tell
    That’s crazy as hell;

    But her management has final say.

  20. Kirk Miller says:

    My wife and I got in a fray.
    Use anapest? Iamb? No way!
    When I realized
    That she’d compromised,
    I agreed then to meter half-way.

  21. Patrice of the ManyCats says:

    Flooring the Clients

    His underwear’d started to fray:
    Yanked it off, pulled it back on all day
    And night…Just stay nude,
    He enthused, I’m a dude
    Whose body is heaven, chicks say!

    As they pay to be pleasured and smile,
    He GRINS: bank account wins all the while.
    Goes through Speedos like fire,
    But his earnings pile higher ~
    Recalled, when he winces: cold tile :(

  22. Patrice of the ManyCats says:

    It’s A Jungle Gym Out There

    She avidly entered the fray
    After holding herself back all day.
    Millie, stop! yelled the teacher
    Who just couldn’t reach her:
    She pummeled Big Billie, who’d pay

    For knocking her blocks down last week.
    Upset so, she got past her “meek” –
    I’ll get even somehow!
    Told her mom, in a vow…
    Sat on Billie, who let out a squeak.

    Do you promise? Leave my blocks alone!
    Bully Billie agreed with a groan.
    Girls can be just as bad…
    Ten years on, Millie’s glad ~
    She sits drafting, engrossed, in the zone 8^D

  23. My temper’s beginning to fray:
    Seems August is now seeing May,
    While April and June
    Are still dating the goon…
    “Must be Global Warming,” I say.

  24. (I think you had to be alive in 1987 for this to make sense)

    My temper is starting to fray:
    I’ve thrown all my flu shots away.
    Patients wake up from sleep,
    Put on make-up, and weep —
    I need Tamiflu, not Tammy Faye!

  25. Those folks cause my temper to fray,
    Who claim it’s a choice to be gay.
    But I’ll lower my voice:
    Being dumb is no choice,
    And you can’t pray the Stupid away.

  26. A priest and a nun ran away
    they were feeling happy and gay.
    They played hookey
    And did the nookie
    Came back to defrock and defray.

  27. Edna was a lady: risque
    She worked on the corner near Bay
    She now charged more
    A “Call Girl”, no longer a whore
    Extra proceeds needed to defray.

  28. Today was a wonderful day
    I joined the “no smoking ” fray.
    But when thoughtless Ms. Grace
    Blew smoke in my face
    I chased her with prime pepper spray.

  29. Tomorrow is Sis’s wedding day
    I am in a state of disarray
    She ruined my clothes
    And ripped my hose
    Her wedding gown is a ” Dior la Fray.”

  30. The gals in the latest fray
    Wear purple hair and skunky spray.
    Their dates are few
    Most men say “pew”
    Yet in the zoo, they’re provocative prey.

  31. not a duplicate; fewer syllables!

    It is Sis’s wedding day.
    Everything’s in disarray.
    She ruined my clothes
    And ripped my hose.
    Her gown is a “Dior La Frey”

  32. Dave Johnson says:

    A rover named Danny O’Shea
    Saw a ruckus and jumped in the fray.

    When ’twas over and done,
    Our Danny had won;

    But his honker might not be OK…

  33. The coach said “Let us pray”
    The Cubs are playing today!
    Miracles Occur
    But let us confer
    With the White Sox to help us defray.

  34. My wife and I had a fray
    about who should get more pay.
    I’m out hooking
    And he’s home cooking
    I accede; I smell yummy pate.

  35. not a duplicate

    My husband and I had a fray
    About who should get more pay
    I’m out hooking
    While he’s home cooking.
    I accede; I smell yummy pate.

  36. Judith H. Block says:

    Sweet Mulligan’s “Lord of the Dance”
    Just look at his grace and his stance!
    On St. Patrick’s Day
    He’ll win a dance fray!
    Just watch him move, behold his prance!

  37. It’s sad, but I have to say
    My husband was short on pay.
    I got a job as a ho
    and blow by blow
    our expenses did finally defray

  38. Dave Johnson says:

    He insisted on having his way;
    And her nerves were beginning to fray.

    So she said “OK, fine
    Then you pick the wine;

    But please, no more boxed Chardonnay!”

  39. Dave Johnson says:

    He said “I would like you to stay;
    Your cab fare I’ll gladly defray.”

    She paused, then replied:
    “I don’t need a ride;

    Except one, for which you’ll have to pay.”

  40. Of all the things I must pay
    Alimony just won’t go away.
    I’ve had so many spouses
    Who are all downright louses
    It’s my largest expense to defray.

  41. Jon Gearhart says:

    Today I jumped into the fray
    Against Priests that continually prey
    On weak, timid, and wee–
    “Charge a re-stalking fee
    And remind ’em there’s still Hell to pay!”

  42. Jon Gearhart says:

    “The Church has some costs to defray
    Since lawsuits were filed today
    ‘Cause a child said, “Jay’s stalkin’ me.”
    “So, what, you’re defrockin’ me?
    Well, defrock you too!” shouted Jay

  43. Jon Gearhart says:

    It was clearly a most frabjous day
    As the slithy toves gimbled away
    To avoid Jabberwock,
    Whose claws pinch and jaws lock
    Onto danglers just starting to fray.

  44. Jon Gearhart says:

    Dee’s help’s tiring and brings her no pay
    But she volunteers day after day.
    On her days off from work,
    She helps homeless. To shirk
    Would be too high a cost to Dee Fray.

  45. Jon Gearhart says:

    If I could, I would take you away
    On a trip to the moon for a day
    The costs I’d offset
    Just by selling my jet
    But I’ve got no free day to defray

  46. Jon Gearhart says:

    As I tie to the wheel young Miss Day,
    I’ve made sure to secure so when they
    Roll her off down the hill,
    There’s no way that she will
    Come detached and her end’s wheel knot fray.

  47. Jon Gearhart says:

    I’m just human and have feet of clay
    And can’t do in extr’ordin’ry way
    All the things that I wish,
    Like make loaves and two fish
    Stretch to feed all and end hunger’s fray.

  48. Jon Gearhart says:

    I’ve started some limericks, none Finnish though,
    But still I would say I can finish, so
    If you don’t believe it
    Then Watch me achieve it
    St. Patrick’s the source of my dinnish flow.

  49. Jon Gearhart says:

    She’s just arrived home from the Doctor
    Who proded, and poked ‘er, and procked ‘er
    For whatever he sees
    To help fight her disease–
    A green rash from where St. Patrick’s cocked ‘er!

  50. Fred Bortz says:

    I await the results from Israel, hoping my limerick proves true

    In the current political fray,
    I have heard the Republicans say,
    “Netanyahu’s the man
    To spoil talks with Iran.”
    But, ha-ha! He’s a loser today.

  51. Fred Bortz says:

    I’ve been watching my good nature fray
    As climate deniers delay.
    That Tea Party faction
    Blocks government action.
    All we need, they profess, is to pray.

  52. The biggest expense to defray
    Is a sleek four-wheeler called “Ray”
    I bought a Ferrari
    And, boy am I sorry.
    I’ll be in debt till I pass away.

  53. Fred Bortz says:

    It seems there’s a scandal a day
    About Congressmen who boost their pay.
    It comes as no Schock
    That this guy had to walk.
    He should know which expense to defray.

    Aaron Schock Resigns.

  54. Dave Johnson says:

    He’s in no mood to defray
    The cable bill he got today.

    But cheer up, my friend,
    We’re close to the end;

    With Apple, there’s help on the way.

  55. My largest expense to defray
    Was found at the Jeweler: “Kaye”
    I had a fling
    Bought a diamond nose ring.
    I hope I don’t sneeze it away!

  56. Brian Allgar says:

    The skydiver found with dismay
    That his ’chute was beginning to fray.
    It was no use at all
    When he entered free fall,
    And he ended the dive as purée.

  57. Dave Johnson says:

    There’s a Frenchman they call DSK;
    Scandalous events he’ll defray.

    The party he throws
    Will feature no clothes

    And “guests” caterwauling for pay.

  58. Byron Ives says:

    Well, some jumped the gun I would say
    ‘ObeyMe’ did not get his way
    The man oft assailed,
    Netanyahu, prevailed
    Thank God an adult’s in the fray

  59. Byron Ives says:

    Let the facts not get in the way,
    Queen Hillary’s above the fray
    For this pompous twat,
    The rules just do not,
    Apply to her ass anyway

    Trust Hillary? No way in hell
    Bill knows she is inept as well
    The last time, mind you,
    She had a job to do,
    It was outsourced to Monica L.

  60. Dave Johnson says:

    The Republican flavor today
    Is a fellow who likes to say:

    “Education is bunk;
    We don’t need that junk

    With the Koch brothers there to defray.”

  61. The dress you’re wearing today
    Has a tendency to fray.
    If you travel,
    It will unravel
    And your booty will be on display.

  62. Dave Johnson says:

    When Scott Walker entered the fray,
    His whole record went on display.

    A dubious slate;
    He’s driving his state

    Ever backward, with more on the way.

  63. Dave Johnson says:

    For a clothesline, she chose to defray
    And hang out her undies that way.

    Here comes a big breeze;
    Now everyone sees

    What matches her red bustier.

  64. Dave Johnson says:

    John Boehner’s hell-bent to delay
    All steps in the governance fray.

    To get something done
    And help everyone

    Is just not the G.O.P. way

  65. Byron Ives says:

    When Walker entered the fray
    The state of that state: disarray
    The deficit: billions
    Now a surplus of millions
    And backwards, they’re headed, you say?

  66. Diane Groothuis says:

    Boadicea went into the fray
    In the sun on a very fine day.
    They said that she darted
    But I heard she farted
    Not into the fray but her dray.

  67. not a duplicate….similar

    It’s very disturbing to say
    My husband’s been cut short on pay.
    I got a job as a ho
    And blow by blow
    Our expenses began to defray.

  68. It’s time to join the fray
    of “Narcolepsy All The Way”
    I can’t pretend anymore
    that I’m awake when I snore.
    It’s time to hit the hay

  69. Dave Johnson says:

    Scott Walker had started his day
    At a news conference – part of the fray.

    A question was posed;
    The answer he chose:

    “I dunno, but maybe someday…”

  70. Dave Johnson says:

    Her patience was starting to fray;
    The delivery was set for that day.

    Then, a knock on the door;
    The box hit the floor

    And they did it – right in the foyer.

  71. Fred Bortz says:

    I’m spending more cash every day.
    My organics bill’s hard to defray.
    “It’s a veggie disaster,”
    I complain to my pastor,
    But he just suggests, “Lettuce spray.”

  72. Kirk Miller says:

    The massage parlor owner, one day,
    Was arrested by cops in a fray.
    ‘Twas no violation,
    Said cops; situation
    Was that we were just rubbed the wrong way.

  73. Allen Wilcox says:

    His nerves were beginning to fray.
    His church was being eaten away,
    With the termite advance,
    He saw only one chance,
    So his sermon began, “Let us spray.”

  74. Allen Wilcox says:

    His clothes were beginning to fray,
    But he reached the top first in a day.
    Said the Japanese winner
    At his victory dinner,
    “With my prize,who says “climb doesn’t pay”?

  75. Tim James says:

    I try to stay out of the fray
    As I go on my own merry way.
    Ev’rybody I’m near
    Gets a smile and good cheer.
    Meanings change — that was once known as “gay.”

  76. Tim James says:

    We sink deeper with each passing day
    In that damnable Middle East fray
    While Canadians feel
    Endless war lacks appeal.
    We could sure take a cue from them, eh?

  77. Dave Johnson says:

    We’re now at the start of the fray
    For who’s in the White House one day.

    Two sides of the fence;
    So let us commence

    And not let the Koch brothers sway.

  78. Dave Johnson says:

    Tired of the fad diet fray,
    I went gluten-free yesterday.

    Don’t need no wheat,
    I’m ready to eat

    Some tasteless concoction today.

  79. Byron Ives says:

    We met at a Waikiki fray
    I fetched us Mai Tais right away
    She said with a wink,
    “Gee, thanks for the drink,
    I suppose you’re expecting a lei?”

  80. Stephen B. Fleming says:

    My nerves they often do fray
    When the pols do trumpet and bray
    As their service most civil
    Turns to doody and drivel
    And emits a nasty bouquet.

  81. I find it hard to get into the fray
    Of the songs popular, today
    I’m 88
    And still like to date
    And swing with Sammy Kaye

  82. Dave Johnson says:

    A nasty old parrot named Jay
    Got cuss words mixed up in a fray.

    He squawked “Hey, you dumb tish!
    Don’t feed from my dish –

    You’re such a big holeass today!”

  83. Allen Wilcox says:

    Substitute “you” and “your” or “he” and “his” or “she and “hers” as you wish,

    My clothes – they’re beginning to fray.
    My hair – it’s now turning quite gray.
    My sexual function –
    I have no compunction
    To admit that it’s all gone away.

    But it’s harmless if clothes start to fray,
    And what’s more distinguished than gray?
    And if my proclivity
    For sexy activity
    Is gone, I can still seize the day!

  84. Fred Bortz says:

    A last-minute entry.

  85. Fred Bortz says:

    The sorceress Morgan La Fey
    Cast a spell that endures til today.
    It continues to vex me.
    Why did that witch hex me?
    I need Merlin to enter the fray.

  86. madkane says:

    Thanks so much everyone for another fun week of limericks. This Limerick-Off is officially over. And the winner is…

    Congratulations to the Limerick of the Week Winner and the Honorable Mention Winners: Limerick of the Week 206.

    But you can still have lots of limerick fun because a new Limerick-Off has just begun: Limerick-Off Rhyme: BEAM.