Barnes & Noble Poetry Workshop
Monday October 19th, 2009 (**remember to join us next time: Monday November 16th, 2009**)
Clerihew
-4 lines long
-About a person, it can be someone only you know, or someone famous
-The person’s name should be the whole first line, or part of the first line
-Humorous, but not mean
-2 rhymes: the last word of the first 2 lines must rhyme with each other, and the last word of the last 2 lines must rhyme with each other
-Can be used as a pneumonic device when you need to study famous Americans in history or anything else like that
Facts
This form is named for its creator, Edmund Clerihew Bentley, who was an English poet and writer. He lived from 1875-1956 (81 years). Some dispute that he did not create the form, but only made it popular.
One of Edmund Clerihew Bentley’s famous “Clerihews”:
Sir Humphry Davy
Abominated gravy.
He lived in the odium
Of having discovered sodium.
A modern Clerihew:
Terry Bollea, also known as the Hulk,
A wrestler with plenty of bulk
Pinning his opponent, his face turns red.
Everywhere except the bald spot on his head.
(©Copyright K. Sosa www.brighthub.com/education/k-12/articles/49925.aspx)
Pay attention to how Sosa used the name in the first line, rhymed Hulk and bulk, then red and head. She kept it humorous in saying he had a bald spot, but was not harsh. Remember that Clerihews are for fun, not to hurt someone.
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