The Clerihew, according to Wikipedia, is a four line biographical poem invented by Edmund Clerihew Bentley, with a rhyme scheme of aabb. The lines are irregular, though the first line should feature the name of the person who is the subject of the poem. Bentley believed that the name should be at the end of the line as part of the challenge lay in finding a rhyme for awkward names. It can be whimsical, absurd and inaccurate.
In other words, they aren’t very demanding in terms of technique and historical research.
Here are three that I’ve written as part of a series about British Prime Ministers. Don’t rely on them if you are revising for an exam on the subject. I’ve covered PMs in other posts, but as there have been around 57 of them I still have a way to go.
I will try a few more over Christmas as I will have (a) time and (b) an unpleasantly crotchety attitude, which are both useful for political subjects.
Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford,
was known to be fond of his orchard.
He was in power for 20 years.
And he raised gin tax, causing many tears.
Augustus Henry FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton
never wore a kaftan.
As a Chathamite Whig
he was a bit of a prig.
had a disagreement with the King.
A man of stately carriage,
he opposed King Edward’s marriage.
I love your ‘Clerihews’! I especially like the one about Robert Walpole! Your ‘Clerihews’ are not only entertaining, but also informative because they make me want to Google the people you mention!
Of course, I can’t hope to compare, but I just uploaded a ‘Clerihew’ of my own onto my blog. It’s linked below. I’d love it if you would look over it and leave me some advice on how to improve. Thanks!
https://poeticaparadisum.wordpress.com/2018/05/11/down-draco-clerihew/
Excellent Clerihew – doesn’t need improving.
Thanks!
Hooray for clerihews!
It’s like a license to write bad poems. 🙂
😀
Not a Clerihew:
I say hooray to Quercus
Who isn’t one to irk us
So that reading his blog
Is never a slog.
It’s still a good poem, despite the tendency towards quality, which is something I try to avoid. With a fair degree of success.
I especially like the Baldwin one Quercus,
It was quite a circus
after all
stopping Ed having a ball.
Nice one Derrick. 🙂
I must admit, I prefer limericks. “There was a PM from Nantucket…..”
I like Limericks but I’m not much good at them and, like you, I require the subjects to come from Nantucket or Devizes.