Challenge: Short Form Mania

[Angeline]

In this challenge you will write at least three of the following four short poetry forms:

Clerihew

Double Dactyl

Limerick

Triolet

And now the twist: each of the three poems you choose must be on the same subject or theme. So, for example, you might write a double Dactyl, a limerick and a triolet about love; or a clerihew, a double dactyl and triolet about lust; or a clerihew, double dactyl and a limerick all about the same person. How you work your theme across three poems is up to you.

Your set of three poems must be in the same post. This way readers will be able to see how the different forms convey the same theme. If you choose to write more than one set, make sure each set of three is a separate post. If you want to do all four forms in a set that's fine too.

The honor of leading the next challenge goes to the person who posts the next to last set of poems in this challenge, which will end at 6 PM PDT on Thursday, July 18th.

Short forms are fun and a great way to stretch your poetry muscles.

 

[UnderYourSpell]

Double Dactyls were invented by the devil

 

[Angeline]

Double Dactyls were invented by the devil

Personally, I suck at clerihews. But I'll try another and see if I can make it work.

 

[butters]

 

[Tzara]

Three Poems on Groucho Marx

1: Clerihew
Julius Henry Marx,
whose cigars never gave off any sparks
served up a quick quip
that went well with cheese dip.

2: Double Dactyl
Higgledy piggledy,
Rufus T. Firefly,
Ruled Fredonia,
Not without vice.

Flailing his arms about
Monomaniacally,
Rich Mrs. Teasdale
Thought he was nice.

3: Limerick
"A cigar sometime's just a cigar,"
Mused Herr Marx over drinks at the bar.
"Since mine's always unlit,
It's a terrible fit
As a Freudian male avatar."

 

[Angeline]

Three Poems on Groucho Marx

....

Excellent examples. I knew you'd write them quickly.

 

[Angeline]

Jazz

Clerihew
Lester Willis Young
whose praises are rarely sung
helped Count Basie win fame
though few today know Lester's name.

Limerick
There once was a saxophone
that had a melodious tone.
It tootled some blues,
insouciant as schmooze,
then was drowned out by a trombone.

Triolet
Some prefer opera or rock,
but jazz sounds the best to me
(which I know doesn't come as a shock).
Some prefer opera or rock
and will stick with that stuff round the clock.
I groove with improv, usually.
Some prefer opera or rock,
but jazz sounds the best to me.

 

[HarryHill]

In this challenge you will write at least three of the following four short poetry forms:

Clerihew

Double Dactyl

Limerick

Triolet

each of the three poems you choose must be on the same subject or theme.

Your set of three poems must be in the same post.

See Cass, the dark side.

 

[HarryHill]

..
I know

 

[Angeline]

See Cass, the dark side.

..
I know

Is it too hard? Sorry I thought these would be fairly easy though not free verse. None of them have specific metrical requirements to the best of my knowledge. I can add a few easier short forms, like haiku and American Sentences if folks want. I just thought it would be a fun way to stretch ourselves, poetically speaking.

 

[HarryHill]

Is it too hard? Sorry I thought these would be fairly easy though not free verse. None of them have specific metrical requirements to the best of my knowledge. I can add a few easier short forms, like haiku and American Sentences if folks want. I just thought it would be a fun way to stretch ourselves, poetically speaking.

..
Don't change a thing. I'll have to stack words instead of slinging them.
Impressive work so far. Thank you.

 

[Angeline]

..
Don't change a thing. I'll have to stack words instead of slinging them.
Impressive work so far. Thank you.

Thank you. I was a little worried.

 

[Tzara]

Three Poems about Hugh Hefner

1: Clerihew
Our late Mr. Hefner, Hugh,
liked to screw
on his famous round bed
though Jesus God, No! not as newlywed.

2: Double Dactyl
Wiggledy piggledy,
Hugh Marston Hefner, wow,
Made most men envious,
How he got laid.

He liked to bed women
Enthusiastically.
But misremembered them,
anterograde.

3: Limerick
So Christie, and Janet, and Sue,
All bedded sometime with sir Hugh.
They posed for him nude,
With demure attitude,
Became icons--trifold interviews.

 

[cascadiabound]

Is it too hard? Sorry I thought these would be fairly easy though not free verse. None of them have specific metrical requirements to the best of my knowledge. I can add a few easier short forms, like haiku and American Sentences if folks want. I just thought it would be a fun way to stretch ourselves, poetically speaking.

..
Don't change a thing. I'll have to stack words instead of slinging them.
Impressive work so far. Thank you.

Thank you. I was a little worried.

I agree. Don't change a thing. Though these are not forms I feel confident in , I will do my best to step up and give it a whirl.

I am inspired by Tzara slinging down two entries in no time at all it seems.

 

[Tzara]

I am inspired by Tzara slinging down two entries in no time at all it seems.

It helps to be unashamed of appearing stupid in public.


The pseudonym is a great help, of course.

 

[cascadiabound]

It helps to be unashamed of appearing stupid in public.


The pseudonym is a great help, of course.

As a still green poet, every time I post a challenge I am surprised it is any good at all.

 

[cascadiabound]

Three Poems about Mary Queen of Scots

Clerihew

Mary Queen of Scots
powerful without lots
She was full of passions
and avoided assassins

Limerick

Of old a queen she reigned
though marriage it was her bane
court antics persist
and suitors, a list
Her life, cut short, reduced to a stain

Triolet

The queen she had red hair
A woman, and rule she could
monarchy duties never are fair
the queen she had red hair
feared and loved most everywhere
plots abounded, never good
the queen she had red hair
A woman, and rule she could

I am afraid they are not very good, nor very funny. ugh.​

 

[Tio_Narratore]

A fitting challenge, Angeline, but I'm leaving for the Caribbean shortly and won't be back until after the hurly-burly's done and the battle's lost and won. I leave my electronics behind when I holiday, so I'll have to miss on this one; I'll be here for the next.

Thanks again for a worthy challenge.

 

[Angeline]

I agree. Don't change a thing. Though these are not forms I feel confident in , I will do my best to step up and give it a whirl.

I am inspired by Tzara slinging down two entries in no time at all it seems.

I'm glad you decided to try it. You're a quick study. When I came to this forum I hadn't tried any of these forms before either. Other poets here were supportive and helped me learn by their example, like Tzara's excellent efforts with form (and his willingness to just go for it and write) help us learn now. I think we're all learning and pushing out of our comfort zones here and there in the hope of improving.

A fitting challenge, Angeline, but I'm leaving for the Caribbean shortly and won't be back until after the hurly-burly's done and the battle's lost and won. I leave my electronics behind when I holiday, so I'll have to miss on this one; I'll be here for the next.

Thanks again for a worthy challenge.

Thanks Tio and have a wonderful holiday. We'll be here when you return.

 

[Angeline]

Childhood Memories

Double Dactyl
Higgledy piggledy
Daddy and you and me
spent Sundays happily
in the state park.

Minnows caught in our nets,
badminton and croquet,
indefatigably
rambling till dark.

Limerick
Late summer tomatoes are best
served on fresh rye, lightly dressed
and Silver Queen corn
is served unadorned,
followed by seed-spitting contests.

Clerihew
General George Washington
garrisoned in Trenton
crossed the Delaware dark
and all we got was this park.

 

[UnderYourSpell]

Clerihew

Mary Queen of Scots
powerful without lots
She was full of passions
and avoided assassins

Limerick

Of old a queen she reigned
though marriage it was her bane
court antics persist
and suitors, a list
with Darnly she gave birth to a king

Triolet

The queen she had red hair
honorable and misunderstood
monarchy duties never are fair
the queen she had red hair
feared and loved most everywhere
plots abounded, never good
the queen she had red hair
she was a woman and rule she could

I am afraid they are not very good, nor very funny. ugh.​

I hate to be a party pooper but you've not got the Limerick or the Triolet quite right. The first two lines and the last line of the Limerick should rhyme. The last line of the Triolet should be the same as the second line.

 

[cascadiabound]

I hate to be a party pooper but you've not got the Limerick or the Triolet quite right. The first two lines and the last line of the Limerick should rhyme. The last line of the Triolet should be the same as the second line.

Sigh. Well... it was a quick attempt and a subject I am not entirely crazy about.
Question:
The wiki definition indicates a clerhew should feature a well known persona. I imagine that exceptions abound?

I'll have tried to fix the problems. I may try again. Idk. Given that sarcasm and humor are not my forte (at least in text/written form) and rhyming poems pretty much leave me cold, I thought these were passable attempts.

I sm not looking for any awards around here. I know I am by far not the best or most experienced poet here and never will be.

 

[Angeline]

Sigh. Well... it was a quick attempt and a subject I am not entirely crazy about.
Question:
The wiki definition indicates a clerhew should feature a well known persona. I imagine that exceptions abound?

I'll see if I can fix the problems. Or I may just try again. Given that sarcasm and humor are not my forte (at least in text/written form) and rhyming poems pretty much leave me cold, I thought these were passable attempts.

I sm not looking for any awards around here. I know I am by far not the best or most experienced poet here and never will be.

Never say never! I'm not really fond of such explicit rhyming myself. What I do like about writing forms is they force me to think more carefully about the lines I write. But I do realize it ain't everyone's cup of tea. (Also I break rules all the time; I think it entirely kosher to do so though many disagree.) <shrug>

I like to think I'm only in competition with myself and what I think is my best is not necessarily what anyone else thinks. We're all on a continuum here and we learn from each other.

 

[cascadiabound]

I hate to be a party pooper but you've not got the Limerick or the Triolet quite right. The first two lines and the last line of the Limerick should rhyme. The last line of the Triolet should be the same as the second line.

Never say never! I'm not really fond of such explicit rhyming myself. What I do like about writing forms is they force me to think more carefully about the lines I write. But I do realize it ain't everyone's cup of tea. (Also I break rules all the time; I think it entirely kosher to do so though many disagree.) <shrug>

I like to think I'm only in competition with myself and what I think is my best is not necessarily what anyone else thinks. We're all on a continuum here and we learn from each other.

Agreed. I am only interested in becoming better myself. I do not care to compete with anyone.
I think part of what is hard about trying new forms is that discomfort with the form makes it hard (for me) to know where and how to break/bend the rules.

For instance, I liked the sing songy quality of the original last line in my limerick, and though the edit follows the rhyming rules as elucidated by Annie, I do not think the poem is particularly improved.

 

[Piscator]

Is it too hard? Sorry I thought these would be fairly easy though not free verse. None of them have specific metrical requirements to the best of my knowledge. I can add a few easier short forms, like haiku and American Sentences if folks want. I just thought it would be a fun way to stretch ourselves, poetically speaking.

Not so much degree of difficulty, except for double dactyl, which I have yet to grasp, mre getting mind on different track. But I'll try.