Albert's Poetry Cafe ~ Poet Craft: Form "Clerihew" ~ Sal Amico Buttaci  September 17, 2008 - October 1, 2008

Here is the explanation of this fun form:

The clerihew is brief and biographical. It pokes fun at mostly famous people, but is not aimed at being cruel or abusive or satirical. It is closer to being comical than hurtful.

It contains four lines of irregular length with the third and fourth lines usually longer than the first two lines. The rhyme pattern is aabb.

The first line end-rhymes with the second line. The third and fourth lines end-rhyme with each other.

In the first line we find mostly, or only, the subject�s name. The second line ends with something that rhymes with the name of the person. Lines 2, 3, and 4 write about the person�s character, personality, achievements, or event in his or her life

Here is one of Bentley�s famous clerihews:

George the Third
Ought never to have occurred.
One can only wonder
At so grotesque a blunder.


Please follow the rules of the contest to avoid having your work disqualified. Make sure you understand the poetic form and the theme, if there is one. Any questions you can direct to Sal Buttaci at [email protected]

Helena

Australia

12 Contestants
26 Submissions
668 Views
Created Sep 17, 2008