Who never stopped running her mouth…OK, I think we all know where this is going.
Do you know what a limerick is? A limerick is a funny little poem containing five lines. The last words of the first, second, and fifth lines all rhyme with each other. Here is an example that most of us will remember from our childhoods:
There are a few things that the Irish truly cherish: a good tale; a worthy competition; and the occasional fine spirit (liquid or ethereal, you decide). This is why, as a crazy southern Irish gal, I was thrilled to recently throw down the Orangeberry Big Bang Book Tour Limerick Challenge. It didn’t involve alcohol (though perhaps a fine bottle of Irish whiskey should have been offered as a prize), but the challenge did request authors to create a limerick that described their book.
Just a little background: Orangeberry Book Tours (http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/) provides book blog tours and services throughout the year (and in my humble opinion they are one of the best in the marketing business). This month I have been involved in the Orangeberry “Big Bang” Book Tour where I’ve joined some wonderful writers in discussing and promoting our various books.
Issuing the Limerick Challenge to my fellow “Big Bangers” resulted in many wonderfully creative poems. Provided below are some fine examples: enjoy and please also peruse the books of these very talented writers – links to books are included.
I’ll begin with a little surprise shout-out to Pandora Poikilos, blogger and the Manager of Orangeberry Book Tours:
Oh writers why be you so merry?
Tis winter when all is quite dreary.
“Great fun,” they implored,
“has been our reward,
for touring with cool Orangeberry.”
Blogger/Book Reviewer: Pandora Poikilos
Website: Peace From Pieces
Link: http://peacefrompieces.blogspot.com/
There’s an urge you might have been fighting,
To describe something new and exciting.
To help ideas flow,
the book’s price is so low,
and contains solid advice about writing.
Author: Mike Kalmbach
Book: Writing Advice for Teens: Creating Stories
Link: http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Advice-Teens-Creating-ebook/dp/B007VOPEUO/
Don’t fall in love with a ghost,
He’ll vanish when you need him most.
Leaving you there,
On the top stair,
You’ll never be able to boast!
Author: P. G. Shriver
Book: Dead Perfect
There was once a bunny,
Who was always short on money.
He constantly spent his money,
On books very funny.
Blogger/Book Reviewer: Suzie Welker
Website: The Bunny’s Review
Link: http://bunnysreview.com/
There once was a bard with a fiddle,
who posed to his author a riddle.
The author thought hard, but …
the book snapped shut,
and he was caught in the words in the middle.
Author: Greg Hamerton
Book: The Riddler’s Gift (First Tale of the Lifesong)
Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003AILORM
A man once heard whispers and whale song,
inside of his head all the daylong.
What he finally learned,
from the love that he yearned,
was letting love in kept his heart strong.
Author: Calinda B
Book: Wicked Whispering: Book III in the Wicked Series
Link: http://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Whispering-Book-III-ebook/dp/B009GB13MI
Alyssa found herself feeling all was lost.
Stumbling through the Sierra’s determined to survive at any cost.
A cabin she found,
A second chance at life came round.
Will her new love become star-crossed?
Author: Taylor Dean
Book: Sierra
There once was a gal quite regaled;
For telling her crazy-ass tales.
Her book makes you laugh,
Describing her gaffes.
Now just $2.99 – what a sale!
Author: Kimberly “Kimba” Dalferes
Book: I Was In Love With a Short Man Once
Link: http://www.amazon.com/Love-With-Short-Once-ebook/dp/B006E937AG
How about you: can you describe some aspect of your life through verse? Do you wax poetic about the birth of a child, finding a mate, or perhaps the perfect cup of coffee? Send us your musings in the comments section below – I KNOW there are great poets amongst us!
Cheers,
Kimba
P. G. Shriver says
January 12, 2013 at 9:43 pmKim,
Thanks for hosting this challenge! It was a blast. I love writing poetry and doing quick little poems on the spur of the moment is great fun. I used to recite limericks for my family years ago, so it brought back some wonderful memories!
P. G.
Kim D says
January 13, 2013 at 9:26 amThx for playing with us P.G. – "Dead Perfect" is on my to read list for sure!
Tonya Sheridan says
January 11, 2013 at 6:11 pmLove this post Kim! Some very cute limericks! 🙂
Kim Dalferes says
January 12, 2013 at 9:31 amThx for stopping by Tonya – here in dreary VA in January, I sure am missing WPB. Maybe I should write a limerick about Florida ….
Nathalie Villeneuve says
January 11, 2013 at 6:06 pmI meant to say that you have done a great job thosting this impromptu contest. Well done!
Nathalie Villeneuve says
January 11, 2013 at 4:54 pmThese are great!…I never wrote one either…Maybe i'll give it a try ;)…I'll share if I come up with something that resemble a lymerick… I would consider it an accomplishment…LOL
Kim Dalferes says
January 12, 2013 at 9:19 amNathalie, someone suggested a limerick or haiku challenge for next week's super creative Thursday on The Women of Facebook. What do you think?
Barbara says
January 11, 2013 at 4:21 pmThere once was a girl from DC
Who made me laugh so hard I could pee
But I fear that our fun
will be all but hard won
For some day she may write about me!
Love my Kimba!
Barbara
Kim Dalferes says
January 12, 2013 at 9:17 amI would only portray my closest gal pal in the most favorable way; I promise!! But, yeah, I'm thinking you're going to be in the next book 🙂 Love you back sister, catch up call soon??
Diane Marie says
January 11, 2013 at 3:44 pmLoved the limericks, some more than others. It makes me want to start doing some creative writing. Thank you for sharing.
Kim D says
January 12, 2013 at 9:11 amThanks for stopping by Diane. How about I get a limerick started for you: "There once was girl named Diane, who helped others create their life plan." Let me know how the rest turns out!
Julieanne Case says
January 11, 2013 at 3:06 pmThis was a hoot! Love the limericks! Quite clever you are!
Kim D says
January 12, 2013 at 9:00 amThanks for stopping by Julieanne. The writers on the OB Big bang tour are really fun and clever – a gotta really work to keep up from my vantage point here in the middle-aged cheap seats!
Suzie Cheel says
January 11, 2013 at 3:01 pmKim, what i delightful way to start my Saturday. I love limericks and love the one from Wicked Whispering.
Kim D says
January 12, 2013 at 8:56 amThanks for stopping by Suzie – just saw the mock-up of your new book cover – love it!!
Taylor Dean says
January 11, 2013 at 2:44 pmHi Kim,
Thanks so much for hosting the limerick challenge. What a fun idea!
-Taylor
Kim D says
January 12, 2013 at 8:46 amThanks for contributing Taylor; is this your first OB book tour?
Jean says
January 11, 2013 at 2:12 pmLove dreading the lymricks! Tried to write one for you but….. didn't get past the second line, but it might be fun to work on for Creative Thursday!
Jean
Gratitude Coach
Kim D says
January 11, 2013 at 2:34 pmGreat idea Jean – a "Women of FB" Limerick Challenge! I'll see if Nathalie is up for it!
Sabine Panneau says
January 11, 2013 at 11:12 amThanks Kim for sharing these poems – limericks!
mmm I had never heard of it until I came across your post. I certainly feel inspired now to write one!
Kim D says
January 11, 2013 at 12:56 pmSabine, please write one and share!! This is a no judgement zone – it's all just for fun here.
Christina says
January 11, 2013 at 11:07 amHi Kim,
I enjoyed reading the Limericks–reminded me of when I was young and writing my own in school! Thank you for sharing 🙂
~Christina
Kim D says
January 11, 2013 at 12:55 pmThanks for stopping by Christina – kinda of fun when grown-ups take a little time out of their day to play silly little writing games. I had forgotten how fun it could be to rhyme just for the fun of it.
Mike Kalmbach says
January 11, 2013 at 9:03 amThanks so much for hosting this impromptu contest. Can't wait to check out some of these other books!
PS. I would have written this in limerick form, but only had a couple minutes. 🙂
Kim D says
January 11, 2013 at 12:54 pmThanks for stopping by Mike, and you were a contributing author so I think you've done your fair share of "limericking" ….. that might not be an actual word…