A poetry challenge: Terry Thornton's Incredible Throw-Down

Okay, so maybe incredible poetry throw-down is overselling it a bit. But how many times does a 54-year-old grandma get to participate in a throw-down? My good friend, Terry Thornton, of “Hill Country of Monroe County, Mississippi” (http://hillcountryofmonroecountry.blogspot.com/2008/02/blogbloggerbloggingpoetpoems.html) has issued a challenge: 

 “RULES: Each Genea-Blogger or H.O.G.S Blogger may submit no more than three original poems about their blog. Any BLOG READER may submit ONE poem in the comments section of his/her favorite genea-blog. Each of the poems must be along the lines of a limerick (naughty is permissible but raunchy is not!) which follows the general rule for limerick writing. Six lines - the first three lines must end in rhyming words, the fourth and fifth line must rhyme and the sixth line must rhyme with the first three. Here is the general rhyming scheme to follow. AAABBA.” 

Leave it to Terry to make up his own type of poetry, calling these “BLOG SESTETS.” He later said that he would also allow a traditional type limerick. So, of course, I can't let a good challenge pass me by. Unfortunately, hello, I was a business major and poetic mastery was not a discipline that I explored. In other words, I'm really bad at this. I didn't realize how bad until I read Al my sestet and he actually grimaced. 

 “What, I shouldn't put this on my blog?” I asked noting the pained look on his face. 

 “No, its, ah, fine.”

Liar, he just didn't want me mentioning him in the blog, and he has learned to say as little as possible when I talk “blog speak.” So, since you the reader can also play, I am hoping that some of you will submit your poems by 9:30 p.m. Thursday in the comments section of my blog, and I will post any and all on Friday, and then give the link to the poet master, Mr. Thornton. 

Whaddaya say? Help a girl out and save the honor of Northwest Ohio's poetic skills. You are about to see why they need saving: First, my attempt at a limerick: 

A purveyor of words am I.

Into ancestors lives I pry. 

As their stories unfold,

My own truth is told 

'Tis Death that I seek to defy. 

Wait, it gets worse! My attempt at a “Terry Thornton sestet:”

A genealogy blogger am I.

Not a poet, I won't even try. 

Historical truths are my high. 

So readers respond to this lure.

Save our honor as poets for sure 

'Cause my skills would make a bard cry!

Okay, see what I mean. HELP! 

Until Next Time! 

Note this post first published online, February 12, 2008, at Desktop Genealogist Blog at The News-Messenger Online http://www.thenews-messenger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=BLOGS02

© 12 February 2008, Desktop Genealogist Unplugged, Teresa L. Snyder