Thanks to all of you who participated in this, my third limerick writing contest. (And yes, I’ll be running another contest\u00a0later this summer.) Once again, your enthusiasm and creativity has made this a fun experience for me and, I hope, for you.<\/p>\n
The response to my money-related limerick writing contest<\/a> exceeded my wildest hopes and set a new\u00a0record – 94 limericks were submitted. And the overall quality of the entries was very impressive — so impressive, that I’ve decided to expand the prize money pool enough to award\u00a0an extra prize.<\/p>\n And speaking of prizes, I’m awarding a First Prize ($25 in PayPal cash), a Second Prize ($15 in PayPal cash), a Third Prize ($10 in PayPal cash), and six Honorable Mentions. And the winners are…<\/p>\n FIRST PRIZE goes to Max Gutmann (author of There Was a Young Girl from Verona: A Limerick Cycle Based on the Complete Dramatic Works of Shakespeare) for a limerick that made me laugh out loud, no matter how many times I re-read it:<\/p>\n Can the money you\u2019ve got be called loot? SECOND PRIZE goes to Shawn McBurnie for this very amusing (and all too true) limerick:<\/p>\n Let me tell you, it\u2019s not what you know. THIRD PRIZE goes to mephistopheles for this funny limerick:<\/p>\n A drunk who was drowning his sorrow And six HONORABLE MENTIONS go to (listed in submission order):<\/p>\n Jesse Frankovich: Chris Young: Stephen Gold: Chris Doyle: Doug Harris: Rebecca Zugor: Congratulations to all the winners, and thanks again to everybody who participated. (You can read all of the entries right here.<\/a>)<\/p>\n
\nHere\u2019s a test: did a guy in a suit
\nGrunt \u201cDa big guy sez T\u2019anks\u201d?
\nDid you \u201cfind\u201d it in banks?
\nDid a lady say, \u201cTake it, don\u2019t shoot\u201d?<\/p>\n
\nI work hard, but I\u2019ve reached a plateau.
\nI\u2019ve a dozen degrees,
\nWhich astounds the trustees\u2014
\nWould you like that for here or to go?<\/p>\n
\nHad requested some cash he could borrow,
\nAnd polite as can be,
\nBowed and thanked both of me,
\nAnd avouched he\u2019d repay us tomorrow.<\/p>\n
\nThe more of my money I bet,
\nThe more in return I shall net!
\nBut, of course, should I lose,
\nI\u2019ll be singing the blues
\nAs each bet, I regret, becomes debt.<\/p>\n
\nThere\u2019s a dieting guru called Valerie
\nWho garners the healthiest salary.
\nHer food range (extensive)
\nIs so darn expensive,
\nIt works out as \u00a310 per calorie.<\/p>\n
\nThis accrued lunch expense is so high\u2026
\nDo you think that your limit\u2019s the sky?
\nTo the counters of beans
\nAll your bean-feasting means
\nIt\u2019s a fine time to bid you goodbye.<\/p>\n
\nA Switzerland bank says I\u2019ll earn
\nAll the interest with little concern
\nThat the Feds can acquire
\nThe date of my wire,
\nSo soon I\u2019ll have money to Bern.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cBeing rich = happy\u201d. Not I!
\nMy disposable income\u2019s run dry.
\nSome say that great wealth
\nIs just bad for your health
\nMaybe so, but I\u2019d give it a try!<\/p>\n
\nMy credit card spending is vast –
\nNot sure how much longer I\u2019ll last.
\nTo help pay these bills
\nLeave me lots in your wills.
\nI need cash in a flash, please die fast!<\/p>\n