I love writing for many reasons, but one of the most important reasons is because it’s fun. Now and again I stumble upon something that reminds me of this fun factor. Just over a year ago I heard about clerihew. It’s a poem of sort, a few quick, rhyming lines that are intended to bring a smile to the reader.
What is a clerihew?
A clerihew consists of four lines, the first rhyming with the second and the third with the fourth. They are usually short with a little twist at the end. They’re written about famous or well-known people. The meter doesn’t matter.
The clerihew was created by Edward Clerihew Bentley (1875-1956). Apparently, he was a sixteen-year-old boy in science class when the first one formed in his head:
Sir Humphry Davy
Was not fond of gravy.
He lived in the odium
Of having discovered sodium.
He published the best-known clerihew in 1905 in his first of three volumes of clerihews, Biography for Beginners:
Sir Christopher Wren
Said, “I am going to dine with some men.
If anyone calls
Say I am designing St. Paul’s.”
Naturally, when I discovered this fun little poem style, I had to write my own:
Silly me, I thought it was understood.
There’s limited quality to Ronald’s food.
Those who eat it shouldn’t run it down.
After all, they trusted their meal to a clown.
Rodney MacDonald got his way
and made Nova Scotians work every day.
Canada Day, Christmas and Labour Day, too.
I’ve a list of nasty thoughts, Rodney, all for you.
Rascal McTaz has a beard and a bell
When he’s in runt he’s got a keen smell.
He’ll stick out his nose and run for a mile
Or maybe he’ll stick around to make you smile.
Can you write a clerihew in five minutes?
In a word, No.
My mind isn’t that quick. I enjoyed reading yours though.
But can you believe that when you mentioned good old Rodney, I had to stop for a second to think who you meant..Dear God…That’s just sad…. What is wrong with me? lol
Actually, I’m not surprised. For many, Rodney didn’t leave a lasting impression, unlike John Hamm – he had the best ties!
Sometimes my mind thinks too fast and my mouth tries to share what it comes up with before I have to time to think of the consequences. I wish my foot was faster to muffle the words. 🙂
I love the sound of the word Clerihew! What a fun post, thanks for sharing 🙂
Christi Corbett
Thanks, Christi. My son (age 9) gets a real kick out of saying clerihew with a Scottish accent. He’s quite good at it. One day, I was listening to an add on the radio and burst out laughing. The first words out of the woman’s mouth were: I’m Clara Hughs. In my mind, I heard clerihew in a very Scottish accent. I love the word, too.
Pierre Eliot was a great Prime Minister
To many of us he also seem sinister.
But the worst of his many frights
Turned out to be our new bill of rights.
That’s wonderful, Art. I find once I get rolling, the words just come.
Thanks for sharing.