Limericks of three varieties: Clean, Suggestive, and Filthy! The ones in red
are R- to X-rated. Those with numeric-only labels are my own, those labeled "OP" are from Other Posters, and the ones with "PD" labels are in the Public Domain. You may email me at limericist@cox.net.
I find line 3's rhythm a bit rough. Suggestion: Change 'Has drawn' to 'Draws.' The present tense there won't be anachronistic and, IMHO, it will flow a lot better.
Still, very good one and I'm flattered that I a-muse you. In fact, my errata is inspired by Erato herself.
Your comment brings forth a point that has bothered me about the meter of limericks. (The aid of an expert on poetic form is invited, and it would be especially tied-y if any Poets Lariat could be roped into the discussion.) If you ever sing a limerick, you'll find there is a fourth, unspoken metrical foot added to the end of the first and second (and I suppose the fifth) lines. This space may allow for the adjustment of the meter in the following line, a device that I have utilized (perhaps incorrectly) to maintain the ANAPESTIC (short, short, long; or better stated: unstressed, unstressed, stressed) form of OP78 as it reads above. However, I do not think this policy can apply to the third and fourth lines of a limerick, and thus a "wrap-around" anapestic meter must be employed to achieve the continuous syllabic flow of the last three lines of a well-written limmy. Pedantic insistence on form would mean that true anapestic limericks would conclude each and every line ONLY with stressed syllables! Surely this can not be (and is not) the case.
But to take to heart the well-intentioned spirit of The Limericist's suggestion, I shall now recast my story of Gov. C's obesity into AMPHIBRACHIC (short, long, short) METER (which, indeed, does flow better):
New Jersey's blunt Governor Christie Gained girth that's a topic for grist. He . Draws comments in Op-Ed . That he might soon drop dead. The prospect makes backers' eyes misty.
I find line 3's rhythm a bit rough. Suggestion: Change 'Has drawn' to 'Draws.' The present tense there won't be anachronistic and, IMHO, it will flow a lot better.
ReplyDeleteStill, very good one and I'm flattered that I a-muse you. In fact, my errata is inspired by Erato herself.
Your comment brings forth a point that has bothered me about the meter of limericks. (The aid of an expert on poetic form is invited, and it would be especially tied-y if any Poets Lariat could be roped into the discussion.) If you ever sing a limerick, you'll find there is a fourth, unspoken metrical foot added to the end of the first and second (and I suppose the fifth) lines. This space may allow for the adjustment of the meter in the following line, a device that I have utilized (perhaps incorrectly) to maintain the ANAPESTIC (short, short, long; or better stated: unstressed, unstressed, stressed) form of OP78 as it reads above. However, I do not think this policy can apply to the third and fourth lines of a limerick, and thus a "wrap-around" anapestic meter must be employed to achieve the continuous syllabic flow of the last three lines of a well-written limmy. Pedantic insistence on form would mean that true anapestic limericks would conclude each and every line ONLY with stressed syllables! Surely this can not be (and is not) the case.
ReplyDeleteBut to take to heart the well-intentioned spirit of The Limericist's suggestion, I shall now recast my story of Gov. C's obesity into AMPHIBRACHIC (short, long, short) METER (which, indeed, does flow better):
New Jersey's blunt Governor Christie
Gained girth that's a topic for grist. He
. Draws comments in Op-Ed
. That he might soon drop dead.
The prospect makes backers' eyes misty.