L
imericks are a poetry form that apparently originated in the early 1700's. These are rhymes of structured verse having exactly five lines. The first, second and fifth lines must rhyme while the third and fourth lines are shorter and have a different rhyme. I reckon it is a mite unusual to introduce such structure into Cowboy Poetry which is typically more casual but since limericks are typically humorous, irreverent or tongue-in-cheek, I find it a reasonable, if not appropriate, fit. Limericks historically are often nonsensical and, at best, are trivial. Bottom line ... they're fun, quick and I love writin' 'em. They mostly come to me in the shower.
These random limericks are placed in no particular order. I'll add to them periodically as inspiration strikes. Newest limericks will always appear at the top of the page.
With high hopes of a lady romancin'
If she tells him no
And then turns to go
She oughta' least toss him a smile for chancin'
Tryin' to pen out a short story thread
He found it too short
So he had him a snort
And just called it a limerick instead
When facing a lawman who weren't new
The law's draw was not as quick
The crook fell for his sun trick
Landing on marshal's shadow when through
To stop or go at it again
If you don't quit when you should
Or continue when you could
You'll never know what mighta' been
Just send me out to see the beast
One look and I'll run
Back out west to fun
Being grateful I was released
Lefty fell over puttin' on his britches
He landed on the floor
And rolled out the door
Leaving his watchers in stitches
Leavin' a bronc stomper distorted
He sunfished and hopped
Then suddenly stopped
As through air the cowboy transported
When to his woe Joe got quite hurty
They dared him to jump
So he did like a chump
His broken bones weren't very purty
When dealin' cards he was just too quick
When fancy vest caught him
He just up an shot him
And now the gambler can't deal a lick
That I’m livin’ life solid His way
But I must be admittin’
While to that end I’m committin’
It’s chancy at best every day.
Regardless of teenage or full grown
If you do it then own it
Admit when you’ve blown it
Knowin’ you will reap what you’ve sown
I mean to just focus on today
Like doin' things right
Or fightin’ the good fight
And bein' content come what may
A rodeo cowboy from Muckle
About to win began to chuckle
He missed his dally
And lost his tally
Now he don't get no buckle
With only contempt for the law
He'd go for his gun
With his back to the sun
Killiin' with his legendary draw
As the whole town grew deathly quiet
He made the first move
With something to prove
But only got lead in his diet
We review our life page by page
We look back on life
Recalling with strife
All those things we did not engage
Take the time that I kissed Sally
With nary dilly or dally
That seemed quite enough
But she called my bluff
And married a man in Death Valley
Her smile made him feel quite giddy
Her cowgirl hat was as green
As Irish pastures he’d seen
Their wedding took place in Butte City
When Rusty went a’ courtin’ on her
His lack of convention caused a stir
He pulled up in his truck
And honked for good luck
She just turned out the lights to defer
In the barn I found a rusty shoe
All covered with mud, straw and poo
But it had some good heft
To make buddies bereft
With it many a ringer I threw
Shorty Rawlins was sellin' a mare
An' I bought her quick on a dare
Shoulda' said no
But, alas to my woe
That nag put me in a wheelchair
This mornin’ my horse threw a shoe
‘Called my farrier for what to do
He said, “Not on this day
Just call me on Monday.
I’m in church on Sunday aren’t you?”