Posts Tagged ‘Acrostic Poems’
Friday, April 21st, 2023
I was honored to be interviewed by Michael Croland, of Dover Publications, on the topic of Acrostic Limericks. His piece includes eight of my acrostic limericks, in addition to my thoughts about the challenges of adding an acrostic element to a verse form that already has more than its share of rhyme and meter rules.
So, if you have any interest in acrostic limericks, or acrostic poetry in general, you should enjoy Croland’s article, “ACROSTIC LIMERICKS: A HYBRID OF TWO FORMS.”
NOTE: Croland’s most recent book, There Once Was a Limerick Anthology, was published by Dover Publications in August 2022, and his next book, Acrostic Poetry: The First-Ever Anthology, will be published by Dover in August 2023.
Tags: Acrostic Limerick, Acrostic Limericks, Acrostic Poems, Acrostic Poetry, Dover, Dover Publications, Mad Kane Interview, Michael Croland
Posted in Acrostic Limericks, Acrostic Madness, Books, Interviews, Limericks, Personal, Writing & Publishing Humor | Comments Off on I’m Interviewed by Michael Croland of Dover Publications, on the Topic of Acrostic Limericks
Saturday, April 15th, 2023
For an upcoming interview, I was asked why I hadn’t written any acrostic limericks since 2015. The question surprised me, because I was certain this couldn’t be true. As it turns out, I’ve written quite a few since then, but never got around to posting them on this blog. For instance, here’s a quartet of acrostic limericks I wrote in 2019 for a contest, but forgot (until now) to post on my blog:
I’m alarmed when mosquitoes come near.
They adore me, I fear. Ev’ry year,
Come what may, I get bitten.
How come? Cuz they’re smitten.
Yes, THAT’S why I’m scratching my rear.
An acrostical challenge in verse
Leads this poet to mutter and curse;
Penning lines so constrained
Has my mind frazzled, pained,
As each version, perversely, is worse.
Anxiety’s cloud, oh so dense;
Neurosis can make you feel tense.
Getting out of your chair
(Somehow going somewhere)
Tends to help, so let healing commence.
How I love to draw laughs or a smile,
Using lim’ricks to banish the bile
Many people amass.
Only wit helps it pass;
Rhymed verse … for when life’s feeling vile.
Tags: Acrostic Limerick, Acrostic Poems, Acrostic Poetry Challenge, Acrostics Poems, Angst, Anxiety Humor, Anxiety Limerick, Insects, Limerick Writing Humor, Mosquito Humor, Mosquitoes, Stress Humor, Stress Limerick
Posted in Acrostic Limericks, Acrostic Madness, Acrostic Poetry Prompts, Anxiety & Stress, Health & Medical Humor, Health Verse, Insect Humor, Limericks, Mental Health Humor, Writing & Publishing Humor | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, October 28th, 2015
Rather wet is the weather today.
Also terribly gloomy, I’d say.
It’s so nasty, I’m glad
Not to need something bad.
You can bet from my house I won’t stray.
Tags: Acrostic Limerick, Acrostic Poems, Rain Limerick, Seasonal Verse, Weather Humor
Posted in Acrostic Limericks, Acrostic Madness, Limericks, Seasons Humor, Weather Humor | 3 Comments »
Wednesday, August 26th, 2015
For National Dog Day, a 2-Verse Acrostic Limerick
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Canine friends are my subject today,
And I love to watch dogs on display,
Never letting you down.
I can’t see why you’d frown
Near a puppy that just wants to play.
Ev’ry pooch needs a human to love.
(People swear they’re a gift from above.)
Always loyal and sweet–
Lets you know: “Time to eat!”
So line up to adopt and don’t shove.
Tags: Acrostic Limerick, Acrostic Poems, Animal & Pet Humor, Animal Verse, August Holidays, Dog Humor, Dog Verse, National Dog Day, Odd Holidays, Puppy Poetry
Posted in Acrostic Limericks, Animal & Pet Humor, Limericks, Odd Holidays | Comments Off on For National Dog Day, A 2-Verse Acrostic Limerick
Thursday, October 3rd, 2013
Happy birthday to Chubby Checker! The father of the twist (my favorite dance) was born October 3, 1941.
I thought I’d celebrate with an acrostic limerick, which is as mind-bending as the twist is body-bending:
Acrostic Limerick Ode To Chubby Checker
By Madeleine Begun Kane
There’s a dance with a hot checkered past.
We grooved on its moves — whirling fast!
I still do it today,
Shifting weight, as I sway–
Twirling waist motion, saucily cast.
If you’re asking yourself, “What’s an acrostic limerick?” here’s some info:
In an acrostic poem, the first letter of each line should, taken together, spell out the topic of your poem. Please note that it’s NOT enough to spell out a word; Your limerick or other poem must describe or otherwise directly relate to that word.
Tags: Acrostic Limerick, Acrostic Poems, Acrostic Poetry Challenge, Celebrity Birthdays, Chubby Checker, Dance Humor, Dance Limerick, Music Limerick, Poetry Forms, Twist
Posted in Acrostic Limericks, Acrostic Madness, Acrostic Poetry Prompts, Limericks, Poetry & Prompts, Poetry Forms, Poetry Rules, Writing & Publishing Humor | 16 Comments »
Thursday, July 4th, 2013
I’ve decided to post an extra challenge this week, just in case my Limerick-Offs aren’t keeping you busy enough. Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to write an ACROSTIC poem that has something to do with FOOD, in any form you choose, be it limerick, haiku, quatrain, tanka, etc.
What’s an acrostic poem?
In an acrostic poem, the first letter of each line should, taken together, spell out the topic of your poem. Please note that it’s NOT enough to spell out a word; Your limerick or other poem must describe or otherwise directly relate to that word.
I’ll illustrate with an acrostic limerick, bolding the first letter of each line, for emphasis:
Acrostic Spice (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Sometimes people like food that is bland.
Perhaps some enjoy cooking that’s canned.
I, in case I can’t savor
Cuisine that lacks flavor,
Embellish the dishes, by hand.
UPDATE: June 10th is National Herbs And Spices Day and August 19 is Hot And Spicy Food Day.
Tags: Acrostic Limerick, Acrostic Poems, Acrostic Poetry Challenge, Food Limerick, Hot And Spicy Food Day, June Holidays, National Herbs And Spices Day, Odd Holidays, Poetry Forms, Spices Humor, Spicy Food
Posted in Acrostic Limericks, Acrostic Madness, Acrostic Poetry Prompts, Food & Drink Humor, Limericks, Odd Holidays, Poetry & Prompts, Poetry Forms, Poetry Rules, Writing & Publishing Humor | 16 Comments »
Thursday, June 13th, 2013
I’ve decided to post an extra challenge this week, just in case my Limerick-Offs aren’t keeping you busy enough. Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to write an ACROSTIC poem that has something to do with MUSIC, in any form you choose, be it limerick, haiku, quatrain, tanka, etc.
What’s an acrostic poem?
In an acrostic poem, the first letter of each line should, taken together, spell out the topic of your poem.
I’ll illustrate with an acrostic limerick, bolding the first letter of each line, for emphasis:
Oh the sound of this instrument’s glorious,
But playing it’s rather laborious.
Out a thin double reed
Emerge notes that indeed
Sound sweetly intense, or uproarious.
Tags: Acrostic Limerick, Acrostic Poems, Acrostic Poetry Challenge, Music Limerick, Oboe, Poetry Forms
Posted in Acrostic Limericks, Acrostic Madness, Acrostic Poetry Prompts, Limericks, Poetry & Prompts, Poetry Forms, Poetry Rules, Writing & Publishing Humor | 6 Comments »
Wednesday, September 12th, 2012
This month Acrostic Only asks for an acrostic limerick featuring the word ANGST. (An acrostic limerick spells out a word via the first letter of each line.)
So now you know why this limerick is definitely NOT funny:
Angst-Ridden Limerick
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Anxiety, fear, apprehension
Neurotically fill me with tension.
Getting out of my chair—
Somehow going somewhere
Tends to help with depression prevention.
Tags: Acrostic Only, Acrostic Poems, Angst, Anxiety, Depression, Fear Humor, Mental Health
Posted in Acrostic Limericks, Anxiety & Stress, Behavior & Personality, Limericks, Mental Health Humor | 13 Comments »
Wednesday, May 16th, 2012
An Acrostic Limerick Treat
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Though desserts can be very enticing,
Remember — beware of the pricing:
Ended up with a bill
Awf’ly high — bitter pill.
Thanks heavens for chocolate icing!
(Writers Digest’s Poetic Asides prompts us to write a dessert-related poem.)
You can find more of my acrostic limericks here.
Tags: Acrostic Poems, Chocolate Poem, Dessert Humor, Food Humor, Food Verse, Money Verse, Poetic Asides, Writer's Digest
Posted in Acrostic Limericks, Food & Drink Humor, Limericks, Money & Finance Humor | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, May 15th, 2012
The Onset of an Acrostic Limerick
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Oh my, don’t know where to begin —
Not a hint of a concept herein.
So where shall I start?
Eke out rhyme from my heart?
The trick is just write — in like Flynn.
(Inspired by onset over at Acrostic Only.)
You can find more of my acrostic limericks here.
Tags: Acrostic Only, Acrostic Poems, Beginnings Humor, Creativity, Inspiration, Muse, Writing & Publishing Humor
Posted in Acrostic Limericks, Creativity Verse, Limericks, Writing & Publishing Humor | 22 Comments »
Saturday, May 5th, 2012
What’s even more fun than writing limericks? Writing acrostic limericks:
The Buglers (Acrostic Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Bells up in the air, buglers blare,
Raising rackets most ears can not bear,
And amazing, but true,
Stopping right on their cue.
So their vision, at least, is still there.
(Posted at the DVerse music prompt.)
Tags: Acrostic Poems, Brass Players, Bugles Humor, Music Humor & Verse, Music Limerick, Noise Humor, Noise Poem
Posted in Acrostic Limericks, Limericks, Music Humor & Verse, Noise Humor | 16 Comments »
Wednesday, February 8th, 2012
An “Acrostic Fly Haiku,” as suggested by Acrostics Only:
Free-floating on air,
Light as a feather, it soars,
Yielding to a swat.
*****
A “Relief Haiku,” as suggested by Sensational Haiku Wednesday:
Writing on deadline—
no ideas, none, nada.
Then, at last, relief.
*****
Forking over rent—
More than many can handle
if they like food too.
*****
Crafting a poem
takes work, skill, art, cleverness.
Damn … I left out wit.
*****
Tags: Acrostic Only, Acrostic Poems, Haiku & Senryu, Money Haiku, Money Verse, Writing Haiku
Posted in Haiku & Senryu, Limericks, Money & Finance Humor, Writing & Publishing Humor | 12 Comments »
Wednesday, September 14th, 2011
My addiction to writing acrostic limericks continues apace:
Greedy Acrostic Limerick
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Gorging gleefully all through his meal,
Ramming relish on meatloaf with zeal,
Energetically, endlessly,
Eating tremendously —
Done? Not so long as there’s veal.
Tags: Acrostic Poems, Food Limerick, Glutton, Greed Humor
Posted in Acrostic Limericks, Food & Drink Humor | 7 Comments »
Wednesday, September 7th, 2011
Operatic Acrostic Limerick
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Oh that tenor who’s playing the king
Pierces eardrums while trying to sing.
Easy notes he should reach
Really readily screech,
As we grab some bananas to fling.
(Prompted by Acrostic Only)
If you’d like to read the opera-related humor column that won me the 2008 Robert Benchley Society Award For Humor, here’s my Guide For The Opera Impaired.
Tags: Acrostic Poems, Music Humor & Verse, Opera Humor, Singing Humor, Vocalists
Posted in Acrostic Limericks, Limericks, Music Humor & Verse | 18 Comments »
Friday, September 2nd, 2011
As I mention from time to time, I love the mental challenge of writing acrostic limericks. So on the first of each month, I eagerly visit Acrostic Only for its latest batch of prompts.
Taking Stock Of Acrostic Limericks
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Seems investments are dropping like flies,
Trouncing prices and deals that looked wise.
On Wall Street our shares
Crash and fall down the stairs —
Killed retirement plans on the rise.
Tags: Acrostic Only, Acrostic Poems, Aging Limerick, Business Poem, Financial Poetry, Investment Humor, Money Poems, Money Verse, Retirement Humor, Stock Market Limerick, Wall Street Woes
Posted in Acrostic Limericks, Aging Humor & Verse, Business Humor, Limericks, Money & Finance Humor | 8 Comments »
Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011
As I’ve mentioned before, I enjoy the challenge of writing acrostic limericks. But I found the latest acrostic limerick prompt from Acrostic Only to be tougher than usual. Here’s what I came up with:
One Headache of an Acrostic Limerick
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Pleasant dreams are quite hard to secure
On nights when you have to endure
Unspeakable noise:
Next door neighbors with boys,
Deaf’ning dogs, and the parents on tour.
Tags: Acrostic Poems, Animals Poetry, Badly Behaved Children, Child Humor, Dogs Verse, Headaches Humor, Insomnia Verse, Noise Humor, Noisy Neighbors, Pets Verse, Sleep Poetry
Posted in Acrostic Limericks, Animal & Pet Humor, Anxiety & Stress, Behavior & Personality, Children Humor, House & Home Humor, Limericks, Neighbors Humor, Sleep & Insomnia Humor | 25 Comments »
Tuesday, June 21st, 2011
Help! I can’t stop writing acrostic limericks! Here’s my latest:
Hasty Acrostic Limerick
By Madeleine Begun Kane
He who rushes ain’t likely to rate
And he’ll probably err and be late.
So take enough time —
To be careful is prime.
Easy does it. Perfection can wait.
Tags: Acrostic Poems, Advice Limerick, Cautionary Verse, Hastiness Humor, Perfection Verse, Rushing Humor
Posted in Acrostic Limericks, Advice Humor & Poems, Behavior & Personality, Limericks | 24 Comments »
Wednesday, June 15th, 2011
Acrostic Limericks In Vogue?
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Very stylish young gals were out walking
On the streets of Manhattan, while talking.
Guys were tempted to cheer:
Undergarments were clear.
Even women who saw them were gawking.
UPDATE: I just realized I’ve written seven acrostic limericks in the last couple of months. Perhaps I can postpone senility, after all.
Tags: Acrostic Poems, Apparel Humor, Clothing Poem, Fashion Humor, Style Humor, Underwear Humor
Posted in Acrostic Limericks, Fashion Humor, Limericks | 16 Comments »
Tuesday, June 7th, 2011
One of my favorite limerick challenges is writing acrostic limericks. Here’s my latest:
Courting Acrostic Limericks
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Come one and come all to this site:
Oaths are sworn here, and litigants fight.
Understand that our laws
Rest on humans with flaws,
Tilting “justice” t’wards those who have might.
(Inspired by Acrostic Only.)
Tags: Acrostic Poems, Courthouse Humor, Judicial Limerick, Law Humor, Legal Limerick, Litigation Poem
Posted in Acrostic Limericks, Legal & Lawyer Humor, Limericks | 23 Comments »
Tuesday, May 24th, 2011
May 25th is a big day for wine lovers — National Wine Day. So I thought I’d celebrate with an acrostic limerick:
Acrostic Limerick To Celebrate National Wine Day
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Whatever your regular pick
In selecting a drink with a kick,
Never let any ice
Enter wine — it ain’t nice,
Said a wine snob, who poured it on thick.
Tags: Acrostic Poems, Drinking Limerick, May Holidays, National Wine Day, Wine Humor
Posted in Acrostic Limericks, Food & Drink Humor | 27 Comments »
