On Monday, I sent out a request for poetry suggestions. As of now I have 2 journals, 22 poets, and a number of online resources to explore.
You don’t leave a girl hanging, do you? Consider this my personal thank-you, as well as my pledge to do you proud.
One comment (left by Claudette from To Search and to Find) mentioned her 
fondness for silly, humorous stuff, reminding me of my dad’s favorite poems.
Dad had a fondness for silly rhymes too, and he would recite them often.
For one, he had a bit of help from Longfellow:
I shot an arrow into the air,
It fell to earth; I knew not where.
A neighbor said it killed his calf,
I had to give him a buck and a half.
Anyway, I got to thinking about an old poetry book we used to have when I was a kid. And guess what? I actually found it! Apparently I DO have poetry on my bookshelf!
More from Dad:
I eat my peas with honey,
I’ve done it all my life.
It makes the peas taste funny,
But it keeps them on my knife.
The Family Book of Best Loved Poems, published in 1952. Tattered and stained, yellowed pages, glorious old book smell. Wow, the memories it contains…
How could I forget this part of my childhood? I was born to love poetry, yes?
Take it away, Dad:
Mary had a little lamb,
Her father shot it dead.
Now she brings the lamb to school,
Between two hunks of bread.
Where my dad found his little ditties, I don’t know. They’re not in this book, but there are loads of others to enjoy. Plenty to keep me occupied while I uncover your treasures.
Meanwhile, here’s my own attempt at a limerick:
Her childhood poems, she did forget,
‘Til she read a lovely comment by Claudette,
If it’s rhymes you have in mind,
Search and you will find.
A soul steeped in verse has no regret.
Great limericks! You should check out the weekly challenge at Mind and Life Matters. My dad was the same way! He did the same Mary had a little lamb one…
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Thanks for the tip on the challenge – I’ll check it out. 🙂
You grew up hearing the lamb sandwich version too?! Oh wow, it’s like we’re sisters! 😀
Funny dads are the best, aren’t they?
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We are like sisters! My dad used to say parlez-vous Francais, Chevrolet Coupe (coopay). To this day we say it to each other and laugh and don’t really know what it means!
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My dad pronounced it “Shoveorleaveitlay” 😀
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LOVE the photo of you, Doug and your Dad! What a wonderful man!!!
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Yes, he was one of the good guys. As was yours.
Do you like my hair? So stylish! 😉
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Wow, thanks CJ, you have immortalised me in Limerick form – I am overwhelmed that my comment helped you remember fun times, and led you to compose your own. I think this may be a challenge I shall have to reciprocate too.
I also heard the “peas with Honey” in my youth, and I used to tell in to my kids.
If you like funny poetry/verse, may I recommend Pam Ayres (an English Poet), she just makes me smile and smile and smile. One of my all time favourites of hers is “In Defence of Hedgehogs”.
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Yes, you definitely inspired me and therefore deserved to be immortalized. Glad you liked it, and if you enjoy a challenge, consider yourself challenged. 😉
You heard Peas with Honey too?! That was probably my favorite, although Mary’s lamb sandwich was a strong contender.
Thanks for the additional poet suggestion, she’s now on my list. ❤
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The version I heard about Marys lamb was when I was much, much older, as spoken by my husband and not fit for family friendly audiences 😉
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