Archive for the ‘Acrostic Madness’ Category

I’m Interviewed by Michael Croland of Dover Publications, on the Topic of Acrostic Limericks

Friday, April 21st, 2023

I was honored to be interviewed by Michael Croland, of Dover Publications, on the topic of Acrostic Limericks. His piece includes eight of my acrostic limericks, in addition to my thoughts about the challenges of adding an acrostic element to a verse form that already has more than its share of rhyme and meter rules.

So, if you have any interest in acrostic limericks, or acrostic poetry in general, you should enjoy Croland’s article, “ACROSTIC LIMERICKS: A HYBRID OF TWO FORMS.”

NOTE: Croland’s most recent book, There Once Was a Limerick Anthology, was published by Dover Publications in August 2022, and his next book, Acrostic Poetry: The First-Ever Anthology, will be published by Dover in August 2023. 

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Posted in Acrostic Limericks, Acrostic Madness, Books, Interviews, Limericks, Personal, Writing & Publishing Humor | No Comments »

Acrostic Limerick Quartet

Saturday, April 15th, 2023

For an upcoming interview, I was asked why I hadn’t written any acrostic limericks since 2015. The question surprised me, because I was certain this couldn’t be true. As it turns out, I’ve written quite a few since then, but never got around to posting them on this blog. For instance, here’s a quartet of acrostic limericks I wrote in 2019 for a contest, but forgot (until now) to post on my blog:


I’m alarmed when mosquitoes come near.
They adore me, I fear. Ev’ry year,
Come what may, I get bitten.
How come? Cuz they’re smitten.
Yes, THAT’S why I’m scratching my rear.

An acrostical challenge in verse
Leads this poet to mutter and curse;
Penning lines so constrained
Has my mind frazzled, pained,
As each version, perversely, is worse.

Anxiety’s cloud, oh so dense;
Neurosis can make you feel tense.
Getting out of your chair
(Somehow going somewhere)
Tends to help, so let healing commence.

How I love to draw laughs or a smile,
Using lim’ricks to banish the bile
Many people amass.
Only wit helps it pass;
Rhymed verse … for when life’s feeling vile.

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Posted in Acrostic Limericks, Acrostic Madness, Acrostic Poetry Prompts, Anxiety & Stress, Health & Medical Humor, Health Verse, Insect Humor, Limericks, Mental Health Humor, Writing & Publishing Humor | 1 Comment »

It’s Raining Acrostic Limericks

Wednesday, October 28th, 2015

Rather wet is the weather today.
Also terribly gloomy, I’d say.
It’s so nasty, I’m glad
Not to need something bad.
You can bet from my house I won’t stray.

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Posted in Acrostic Limericks, Acrostic Madness, Limericks, Seasons Humor, Weather Humor | 3 Comments »

Acrostic Limerick Ode To Chubby Checker

Thursday, October 3rd, 2013

Happy birthday to Chubby Checker! The father of the twist (my favorite dance) was born October 3, 1941.

I thought I’d celebrate with an acrostic limerick, which is as mind-bending as the twist is body-bending:

Acrostic Limerick Ode To Chubby Checker
By Madeleine Begun Kane

There’s a dance with a hot checkered past.
We grooved on its moves — whirling fast!
I still do it today,
Shifting weight, as I sway–
Twirling waist motion, saucily cast.

If you’re asking yourself, “What’s an acrostic limerick?” here’s some info:

In an acrostic poem, the first letter of each line should, taken together, spell out the topic of your poem. Please note that it’s NOT enough to spell out a word; Your limerick or other poem must describe or otherwise directly relate to that word.

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Posted in Acrostic Limericks, Acrostic Madness, Acrostic Poetry Prompts, Limericks, Poetry & Prompts, Poetry Forms, Poetry Rules, Writing & Publishing Humor | 16 Comments »

Acrostic Madness (Edible Acrostic)

Thursday, July 4th, 2013

I’ve decided to post an extra challenge this week, just in case my Limerick-Offs aren’t keeping you busy enough. Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to write an ACROSTIC poem that has something to do with FOOD, in any form you choose, be it limerick, haiku, quatrain, tanka, etc.

What’s an acrostic poem?

In an acrostic poem, the first letter of each line should, taken together, spell out the topic of your poem. Please note that it’s NOT enough to spell out a word; Your limerick or other poem must describe or otherwise directly relate to that word.

I’ll illustrate with an acrostic limerick, bolding the first letter of each line, for emphasis:

Acrostic Spice (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane

Sometimes people like food that is bland.
Perhaps some enjoy cooking that’s canned.
I, in case I can’t savor
Cuisine that lacks flavor,
Embellish the dishes, by hand.

UPDATE: June 10th is National Herbs And Spices Day and August 19 is Hot And Spicy Food Day.

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Posted in Acrostic Limericks, Acrostic Madness, Acrostic Poetry Prompts, Food & Drink Humor, Limericks, Odd Holidays, Poetry & Prompts, Poetry Forms, Poetry Rules, Writing & Publishing Humor | 16 Comments »

Acrostic Madness (Musical Acrostic)

Thursday, June 13th, 2013

I’ve decided to post an extra challenge this week, just in case my Limerick-Offs aren’t keeping you busy enough. Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to write an ACROSTIC poem that has something to do with MUSIC, in any form you choose, be it limerick, haiku, quatrain, tanka, etc.

What’s an acrostic poem?

In an acrostic poem, the first letter of each line should, taken together, spell out the topic of your poem.

I’ll illustrate with an acrostic limerick, bolding the first letter of each line, for emphasis:

Oh the sound of this instrument’s glorious,
But playing it’s rather laborious.
Out a thin double reed
Emerge notes that indeed
Sound sweetly intense, or uproarious.

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Posted in Acrostic Limericks, Acrostic Madness, Acrostic Poetry Prompts, Limericks, Poetry & Prompts, Poetry Forms, Poetry Rules, Writing & Publishing Humor | 6 Comments »