A clerihew is a short verse that is biographical and humorous. Here are the rules for writing a clerihew.
- The poem must be four lines long.
- The rhyme scheme must be a/a/b/b.
- The first line should consist of the name of a person.
- The poem should be biographical and humorous. Often times clerihews poke fun at famous people.
You can learn more about clerihews at Poetry for Kids and Wikipedia. You can get some advice on writing clerihews at Giggle Poetry.
Here’s one by Paul Janeczko:
Harry Potter
Was a magical plotter
At Hogwarts he became a master
After many a goof and disaster.
So, what kind of clerihew will you write? Will your subject be literary or political? Please share a link to your poem or the poem itself in the comments. Have fun with this one!
A Convention of Clerihews
ReplyDeleteBarak Obama
Had quite a good Mama.
His Dad, so it’s feared,
Well, he disappeared.
Oh that Johnny Depp
Has plenty of pep,
Has oomph, zip, and zest.
Does pirates the best.
The hunky Sean Bean
Can often be seen
Sword in his hand,
Making a stand.
Emily Dickinson
Po
©ems are quickly done.
Visitors cause her flight.
All of her dresses—white.
Prez Teddy Roosevelt
Tightened his mammoth belt.
Rode rough to war
With his volunteer corps.
©2013 Jane Yolen all rights reserved
Jane, I especially like the Johnny Depp one!
ReplyDeleteEdgar Allan Poe
Was enchanted by woe.
Wrote of horror and rot,
and drank quite a lot.
Dame Agatha Christie
Could write a good mystery.
She really should have died
From an ax or cyanide.
The new baby prince
Gave a squall and a wince.
With all of that fame
Why not a cool name?
—Kate Coombs, 2013
all rights reserved
Kate I so agree with the last one of yours. The one before that is clever too. Jane, I love it when you participate in these. Feels like I'm doing a writing session alongside the prom queeen.
ReplyDeleteJAMES EARL JONES
James Earl Jones'
Thunderous tones
Scared to the core
A dinosaur.
HOME RUN DIET
Babe Ruth
Told the truth
Never fear
Hot dogs and beer.
THE POWER OF OPRAH
I decree
That Ms. Winfrey
Is a chocolate honey
With lots of money.
THAT THING HE DOES
Tom Hanks
Highly ranks
As a fatherly lion
Ask Private Ryan.
(C) Charles Waters 2013 all rights reserved.
Lots of fun! Here are a couple from me:
ReplyDeleteGlory! Gory Edward Gorey
Told a most alarming story.
He ordered horrors alphabetical.
Thank the Lord, it's hypothetical!
****
If I were only Stephen King
Then I could publish anything.
Rub two sticks, and dub it fiction.
Fires start from too much friction.
—Steven Withrow, 2013
all rights reserved