Archive for the ‘Anxiety & Stress’ Category
Saturday, June 6th, 2020
It’s Limerick-Off time, once again. And that means I write a limerick, and you write your own, using the same rhyme word. Then you post your limerick(s) as a comment to this post and, if you’re a Facebook user, on Facebook too.
I hope you’ll join me in writing limericks using SINK or SYNC at the end of any one line. (Homonyms or homophones are fine.)
The best submission will be crowned Limerick-Off Award Winner. (Here’s last week’s Limerick-Off Award Winner.)
Additionally, you may write themed limericks related to PUNCTUATION, using any rhyme word. And of course I’ll present an extra award — one for the best PUNCTUATION-related limerick.
How will your poems be judged? By meter, rhyme, cleverness, and humor. (If you’re feeling a bit fuzzy about limerick writing rules, here’s my How To Write A Limerick article.)
I’ll announce the winners on June 21, 2020, right before I post the next Limerick-Off. So that gives you two full weeks to submit your clever, polished verse. Your submission deadline is Saturday, June 20, 2020 at 4 p.m. (Eastern Time.)
Here’s my SINK/SYNC-rhyme limerick:
I’m teetering right on the brink,
And it feels like my life’s out of sync.
I’m off of my feed.
So what do I need?
A shrink? Or another stiff drink?
And here’s my PUNCTUATION-themed limerick:
“You’ve a problem: You drink too much, pop.”
That comma’s essential – full stop!
Cuz without it the drinker
Is any old stinker…
And the bev’rage? Non-alcohol slop.
Please feel free to enter my Limerick-Off by posting your limerick(s) in my comments. And if you’re on Facebook, I hope you’ll join my friends in that same activity on my Facebook Limerick-Off post.
To receive an email alert whenever I post a new Limerick-Off, please email Madkane@MadKane.com Subject: MadKane’s Newsletter. Thanks!
Tags: Alcohol Humor, Alcohol Verse, Anxiety Humor, Beverage Humor, Beverages, Binge Drinking, Competition Limerick, Drink Humor, Drinking Humor, Limerick Challenge, Limerick Contest, Poetry & Prompts, Psychiatry Humor, Shrinks, Therapy Humor, Writing Prompts
Posted in Anxiety & Stress, Behavior & Personality, Contests, Food & Drink Humor, Language Humor, Limerick & Haiku Prompts, Limerick Competition, Limerick Contest, Limerick Writing Contest, Limerick-Offs, Limericks, Poetry & Prompts, Poetry Contest | 97 Comments »
Saturday, August 4th, 2018
It’s Limerick-Off time, once again. And that means I write a limerick, and you write your own, using the same rhyme word. Then you post your limerick(s) as a comment to this post and, if you’re a Facebook user, on Facebook too.
I hope you’ll join me in writing limericks using DATE or SEDATE at the end of any one line. (Homonyms or homophones are fine.)
The best submission will be crowned Limerick-Off Award Winner. (Here’s last week’s Limerick-Off Award Winner.)
Additionally, you may write themed limericks related to AFFAIRS, using any rhyme word. And of course I’ll present an extra award — one for the best AFFAIRS-related limerick.
How will your poems be judged? By meter, rhyme, cleverness, and humor. (If you’re feeling a bit fuzzy about limerick writing rules, here’s my How To Write A Limerick article.)
I’ll announce the winners on August 19, 2018 right before I post the next Limerick-Off. So that gives you two full weeks to submit your clever, polished verse. Your submission deadline is Saturday, August 18, 2018 at 10:00 p.m. (Eastern Time.)
Here’s my limerick:
I’ve some traits that refuse to abate.
For instance, I’m far from sedate;
Never calm, nor unhurried,
I’m rarely unworried.
Want evidence? Check with my mate.
Please feel free to enter my Limerick-Off by posting your limerick(s) in my comments. And if you’re on Facebook, I hope you’ll join my friends in that same activity on my Facebook Limerick-Off post.
To receive an email alert whenever I post a new Limerick-Off, please email Madkane@MadKane.com Subject: MadKane’s Newsletter. Thanks!
Tags: Anxiety, Anxiety Humor, Competition Limerick, Limerick Challenge, Limerick Contest, Poetry & Prompts, Writing Prompts
Posted in Anxiety & Stress, Behavior & Personality, Contests, Limerick & Haiku Prompts, Limerick Competition, Limerick Contest, Limerick Writing Contest, Limerick-Offs, Limericks, Poetry & Prompts, Poetry Contest | 166 Comments »
Saturday, November 25th, 2017
It’s Limerick-Off time, once again. And that means I write a limerick, and you write your own, using the same rhyme word. Then you post your limerick(s) as a comment to this post and, if you’re a Facebook user, on Facebook too.
I hope you’ll join me in writing limericks using GAME at the end of any one line. (Homonyms or homophones are fine.)
The best submission will be crowned Limerick-Off Award Winner. (Here’s last week’s Limerick-Off Award Winner.)
Additionally, you may write themed limericks related to COWARDICE, using any rhyme scheme. And of course I’ll present an extra award — one for the best COWARDICE-related limerick.
How will your poems be judged? By meter, rhyme, cleverness, and humor. (If you’re feeling a bit fuzzy about limerick writing rules, here’s my How To Write A Limerick article.)
I’ll announce the winners on December 10, 2017, right before I post the next Limerick-Off. So that gives you two full weeks to submit your clever, polished verse. Your submission deadline is Saturday, December 9, 2017 at 10:00 p.m. (Eastern Time.)
Here’s my limerick:
Relaxation’s your aim? Play a game!
You say Sorry’s “too tame?” Scrabble’s “lame?”
Check out Uno, chess, gin.
Try for fun; not to win.
You flame out? Don’t go blaming this dame!
Please feel free to enter my Limerick-Off by posting your limerick(s) in my comments. And if you’re on Facebook, I hope you’ll join my friends in that same activity on my Facebook Limerick-Off post.
To receive an email alert whenever I post a new Limerick-Off, please email Madkane@MadKane.com Subject: MadKane’s Newsletter. Thanks!
Tags: Anxiety Humor, Board Games, Card Games, Competition Limerick, Game Humor, Limerick Challenge, Limerick Contest, Poetry & Prompts, Relaxation Humor, Stress Humor, Stress Limerick, Writing Prompts
Posted in Anxiety & Stress, Behavior & Personality, Contests, Games Humor, Limerick & Haiku Prompts, Limerick Competition, Limerick Contest, Limerick Writing Contest, Limerick-Offs, Limericks, Poetry & Prompts, Poetry Contest | 141 Comments »
Sunday, October 29th, 2017
It’s Limerick-Off time, once again. And that means I write a limerick, and you write your own, using the same rhyme word. Then you post your limerick(s) as a comment to this post and, if you’re a Facebook user, on Facebook too.
I hope you’ll join me in writing limericks using HOARD, HORDE, or WHORED at the end of any one line. (Homonyms or homophones are fine.)
The best submission will be crowned Limerick-Off Award Winner. (Here’s last week’s Limerick-Off Award Winner.)
Additionally, you may write themed limericks related to CHAOS, using any rhyme scheme. And of course I’ll present an extra award — one for the best CHAOS-related limerick.
How will your poems be judged? By meter, rhyme, cleverness, and humor. (If you’re feeling a bit fuzzy about limerick writing rules, here’s my How To Write A Limerick article.)
I’ll announce the winners on November 12, 2017, right before I post the next Limerick-Off. So that gives you two full weeks to submit your clever, polished verse. Your submission deadline is Saturday, November 11, 2017 at 10:00 p.m. (Eastern Time.)
Here’s my limerick:
I return from the shore, all restored,
Feeling mellow, no longer unmoored.
Store my oars in the shed,
Long for bed, but instead,
I check texts (I’m well-bred) from the horde.
Please feel free to enter my Limerick-Off by posting your limerick(s) in my comments. And if you’re on Facebook, I hope you’ll join my friends in that same activity on my Facebook Limerick-Off post.
To receive an email alert whenever I post a new Limerick-Off, please email Madkane@MadKane.com Subject: MadKane’s Newsletter. Thanks!
Tags: Boating Humor, Competition Limerick, Limerick Challenge, Limerick Contest, Poetry & Prompts, Stress Humor, Stress Limerick, Techno-Stress, Texting Humor, Writing Prompts
Posted in Anxiety & Stress, Behavior & Personality, Contests, Limerick Competition, Limerick Contest, Limerick Writing Contest, Limerick-Offs, Limericks, Poetry & Prompts | 126 Comments »
Saturday, June 18th, 2016
For some inexplicable reason, we celebrate International Panic Day today. (June 18)
The concept of Panic Day’s weird;
It’s redundant for me to be steered
Toward something organic.
My panic is manic…
And for doing it daily, I’m geared.
Tags: Anxiety Humor, June Holidays, Odd Holidays, Panic Day, Panic Humor, Stress Humor
Posted in Anxiety & Stress, Behavior & Personality, Limericks, Odd Holidays | Comments Off on International Panic Day? Why??? (Limerick)
Tuesday, August 4th, 2015
Choice Viewing (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
What with networks and Netflix and cable
And Hulu and Amazon’s stable
Of shows to be seen,
I’m too wired to screen;
Feeling feeble, can’t pick — kindly table.
Tags: Anxiety Humor, Cable, Decision Humor, Decision Making, Entertainment Limerick, Hulu. Amazon, Netflix, Networks, Stress Humor, Stress Limerick, Television Humor, TV Humor
Posted in Anxiety & Stress, Entertainment Humor, Limericks, Television (TV) Humor | Comments Off on Choice Viewing (Limerick)
Thursday, April 16th, 2015
I’m sensing the usual stress–
Nothing more, but alas, nothing less.
“Stress Awareness Day’s” here–
Not a day that I’d cheer.
Screw “awareness!” I’d rather repress.
Tags: Anxiety, Anxiety Humor, April Holidays, Odd Holidays, Stress Awareness Day, Stress Humor, Stress Limerick
Posted in Anxiety & Stress, Behavior & Personality, Limericks, Odd Holdays, Odd Holidays | Comments Off on Happy “Stress Awareness Day!” (April 16)
Tuesday, October 21st, 2014
May I Panic Yet? (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
I’m trying quite hard not to panic,
But poll trends are making me manic.
Prospects never looked great,
And it seems now that fate
Has ensnared us inside the Titanic.
(More new-related poetry over at DVerse Poets Pub.)
Tags: Anxiety Humor, News Limerick, Political Humor, Polls, Stress Humor
Posted in Anxiety & Stress, Limericks, Media Humor, News Humor, Political Satire, Polls | 12 Comments »
Thursday, November 14th, 2013
When I’m looking for limerick ideas, I sometimes visit idiom list sites, like this one. Then I’ll select an idiom that might work meter-wise and that ends with a common rhyme sound.
And so today, I challenged myself to write a limerick that contains the phrase “dry run.” Unconsciously inspired, perhaps, by the inept roll-out of Obamacare, I wrote these two lines:
A software firm held a dry run
But the coding, alas, wasn’t done…
I swiftly thought up an acceptable “B-rhyme,” but then got stuck at line 5. The best I could come up with was an ending that employed yet another idiom: “under the gun.” But I still couldn’t think of a line 5 that was even slightly clever.
And then I got an idea: create some wordplay by revising another line, adding specificity to the subject matter. Here’s the result:
Limerick Dry Run
By Madeleine Begun Kane
A software firm held a dry run,
But the arms-tracking code wasn’t done.
It failed test after test,
Till the owner confessed:
“I’m too stressed to work under the gun.”
Tags: Anatomy Of A Limerick, Anxiety Humor, Computer Humor, Computer Software, Idioms Humor, Stress Humor, Technology Humor, Under The Gun, Wordplay Humor, Writing & Publishing Humor
Posted in Anxiety & Stress, Computer Humor, Idiom Humor, Limericks, Technology Humor, Wordplay, Writing & Publishing Humor | 6 Comments »
Wednesday, October 30th, 2013
If being wrapped in pythons would enhance your massage experience, do I have a spa for you! Get yourself right over to the Bali Heritage Reflexology and Spa in Jakarta, Indonesia, which claims that snake-draping combats stress.
A Spa To Hiss (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Oh joy! Here’s a spa to avoid:
When massaging you, snakes are deployed.
Yes, they drape you in snakes,
Claiming fear aids your aches.
You feel great … right until you’re destroyed.
Tags: Animal Verse, Fear Humor, Health Limericks, Indonesia, Massage Humor, Pythons, Relaxation Humor, Snake Limericks, Spa Humor, Stress Humor, Therapy Humor
Posted in Animal & Pet Humor, Anxiety & Stress, Behavior & Personality, Health & Medical Humor, Health Verse, Limericks | 6 Comments »
Monday, October 21st, 2013
Happy Information Overload Day! (October 20, 2015)
Limerick Ode To Information Overload (3-Verse Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Too much data is haunting my dreams–
Excess info and too many memes.
Overloaded with news,
My brain has the blues:
“I’m cluttered with tidbits,” it screams.
So what’s the solution pray tell
That will free me from info-stress hell?
Turn off ev’ry machine
And device? That sounds mean
And quite limiting. Not a good sell!
Is there anything else I can do?
I suppose I could hide in the loo.
But alas and alack,
That room has a stack
Of old weeklies — a factoid fondue.
***
Update: The first Friday of March is the National Day of Unplugging.
Tags: Anxiety Humor, Brain Humor, Computer Humor, Data Humor, Info Overload, Information Overload, March Holidays, National Day of Unplugging, October Holidays, Odd Holidays, Stress Humor, Techno-Stress, Technology Humor
Posted in Anxiety & Stress, Behavior & Personality, Computer Humor, Limericks, Odd Holidays, Technology Humor | 7 Comments »
Monday, April 22nd, 2013
Karaoke isn’t my thing because my singing voice is lousy. (Alas, there’s no connection between being able to play the oboe and having a dulcet singing voice.)
But since it’s National Karaoke Week (celebrated each year during the 4th week of April) I couldn’t resist posting this silly limerick:
Limerick Ode To Karaoke
By Madeleine Begun Kane
There are people whose singing is croaky.
Some are pitchy — too high or too low-key.
But no matter your voice,
Almost all can rejoice
In this musical fun: Karaoke.
Tags: April Holidays, Karaoke Humor, Music Limerick, Odd Holidays, Singing Humor, Singing Voice, Voice Humor
Posted in Anxiety & Stress, Holiday Humor, Limericks, Music Humor & Verse, Odd Holidays | 5 Comments »
Wednesday, November 28th, 2012
Wonder Wednesday, over at Poets United, prompts us to write a poem about bridges or bridging gaps. I decided to cross that bridge with a limerick:
Knotty Negotiations
By Madeleine Begun Kane
It’s a challenge to bridge the large gap
Between parties who’d rather just flap
And complain that they’re right,
While their rivals just fight
Cuz they’re mean. So I’d rather just nap.
Tags: Bridge Humor, Bridging Gaps, Negotiation, Negotiations Limerick, Poets United, Wonder Wednesday
Posted in Anxiety & Stress, Behavior & Personality, Limericks, Poetry & Prompts, Relationship Humor, Sleep & Insomnia Humor | 10 Comments »
Wednesday, September 12th, 2012
This month Acrostic Only asks for an acrostic limerick featuring the word ANGST. (An acrostic limerick spells out a word via the first letter of each line.)
So now you know why this limerick is definitely NOT funny:
Angst-Ridden Limerick
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Anxiety, fear, apprehension
Neurotically fill me with tension.
Getting out of my chair—
Somehow going somewhere
Tends to help with depression prevention.
Tags: Acrostic Only, Acrostic Poems, Angst, Anxiety, Depression, Fear Humor, Mental Health
Posted in Acrostic Limericks, Anxiety & Stress, Behavior & Personality, Limericks, Mental Health Humor | 13 Comments »
Wednesday, August 8th, 2012
One of my favorite weekly prompts is Three Word Wednesday. This week, it asks us to use the following three words in any sort of poem: Crumble, Drawn and Uneasy. Well, I managed to squeeze them all into this limerick:
A Game Limerick
By Madeleine Begun Kane
A chess player, looking quite drawn,
Was caught in an uneasy yawn.
“My game skills have crumbled,”
The man weakly mumbled.
“I feel like I’m naught but a pawn.”
UPDATE: July 20th is International Chess Day, and the 2nd Saturday of October is National Chess Day.
Tags: Board Games, Chess Humor, Competition, International Chess Day, July Holidays, National Chess Day, October Holidays, Odd Holidays, Poetry Prompt, Recreation & Fun Humor, Three Word Wednesday
Posted in Anxiety & Stress, Games Humor, Limericks, Odd Holidays, Recreation & Fun Humor | 15 Comments »
Wednesday, June 27th, 2012
Embedded In Sleeplessness (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Insomnia blankets my night.
Slumber teases — declines to alight.
I toss and I turn
In my bed, as I yearn
For release from my sleep-deprived plight.
(Prompted by Theme Thursday’s “beds.”)
Tags: Bed Poem, Beds Limerick, Insomnia Humor, Insomnia Verse, Sleep Poetry, Theme Thursday, Writing Prompts
Posted in Anxiety & Stress, Behavior & Personality, Furniture & Furnishings, Health & Medical Humor, Health Verse, Limericks, Mental Health Humor, Sleep & Insomnia Humor | 7 Comments »
Tuesday, April 17th, 2012
Are you all ready for National Pet Owners Independence Day?
A gal who’d been cleaning was jarred
By some leaves just dragged in from her yard.
Displaying a broom,
She yelled, “Sweep up this room!”
To her dog. (Guess she’s working too hard.)
Tags: Animal & Pet Humor, Animal Verse, April Holidays, Backyard, Dog Verse, Dogs Humor, Household Chores, Household tools, Pet Owners, Pet Owners Independence Day, Spring Cleaning, Stress Humor
Posted in Animal & Pet Humor, Anxiety & Stress, Behavior & Personality, Chores Humor, House & Home Humor, Limericks, Odd Holidays | 6 Comments »
