Day 10 - 2015 How to write a Clerihew Poem

"30 poems in 30 days" #NationalPoetryMonth

A clerihew is a RHYMING poem that is four lines long.

 

The Clerihew poem takes its name from its creator, Edmund Clerihew Bentley, 20^th century humorist and novelist.

 

It's fun little poem about a PERSON, generally someone famous OR you can make it about someone you care about. Often whimsical, it's meant to be funny (not rude-funny, but cute-funny). 

Here are the basic instructions:

 

1. It is four lines long.

 

2. Rhyming pattern of A-A-B-B (The ending words of the first and second lines rhyme with each other, and the ending words of the third and fourth lines rhyme with each other)

3. The FIRST line names a person - it can only have their name or, it needs to end with their name because the second line ends with something that rhymes with their name.

 

4. A clerihew should be funny. 

 

Here's mine:

 

 

You may very well know Jim Abney,  

He’s every bit as sweet as Bambi,

He likes to wrestle, laugh and leap,

But by afternoon, he falls asleep!

               © 2015 Stephanie Abney

 

 

 

 

 

Please remember – any poetry found on this blog, written by me, is my personal property and may not be used without my permission. The same goes for any poems that are shared in the comments section of this blog. They are the property of the person who shares them. These poems are their original work and no one may use them in any form without their express permission. It is understood that they own the copyright to it. Thanks!! 

And if you choose to post your poems on your own blog – that’s awesome. But please don’t just copy and paste my daily instructions, but rather post your poem and LINK BACK TO THIS BLOG POST for others to read the instructions. Thanks for respecting my work

 

DAY TWENTY-THREE!! "Clerihew Poem" for 30 Poems in 30 Days" #NationalPoetryMonth

DAY TWENTY-THREE – Clerihew Poem

BTW, you may want to look up “Poem in Your Pocket Day” – because, it’s TOMORROW, April 24^th – this is an annual event – CARRY a POEM IN YOUR POCKET THAT DAY – I’ll post on it tomorrow but thought you might want to research it a bit on your own today so you’ll be ready!!

Okay, so WHAT are clerihew poems? FUNNY POEMS ABOUT PEOPLE YOU KNOW!! (Or not! You can write a clerihew poem about anyone ~
But they ARE funny FOUR-LINE poems about SPECIFIC people ~

Here’s what you do:

There is a little bit of rhyming at the END* going on BUT you don’t have to 
worry about counting beats, words or syllables – no set rhythm at all this time.

FOUR lines:
The FIRST line NAMES the person
* AND the endings of lines 1 and 2 need to rhyme with each other.
Then tell something fun about them and make the last line funny
* AND the endings of lines 3 and 4 need to rhyme with each other. 

Remember, a clerihew poem should be funny.

My sweet, good husband works hard and plays hard and then crashes on the
couch – we have DOZENS of photos of him asleep. I wrote this clerihew poem a 
few years ago, but I still love it and so I’ll share it as my example.

                          They say Jim Abney is one of the good ol’ boys,
                          To make him happy, just share your toys.
                          He likes to wrestle, laugh and leap,
                          But by afternoon, he falls asleep! 
                                                  © 2011 Stephanie Abney

 Enjoy! YOUR TURN!!