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Theravadin limerick challenge

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 6:10 am
by Jechbi
Okay, this is ridiculous. We need some forum games around here. :clap:

This might be a complete flop :embarassed:, but does anyone out there like to write limericks? Give it a shot here -- with a Theravada twist. It works like this:

A poster will propose a Buddhist Pali term as a challenge, and the next poster will write a limerick about that term, then suggest another term.

Obviously, no limerick is going to be the only possible limerick to illustrate a certain Pali word, so the words can be repeated. If someone wrote a limerick earlier about samvega, for example, it can still be suggested again as a challenge. There are no limits.

An important point: Please, please remember that METER is crucial. Here is the correct meter for limericks:

iamb anapest anapest
iamb anapest anapest
anapest anapest
anapest anapest
anapest anapest anapest

If you deviate from that, you'll be forced to read the unabridged works of Julia A. Moore. :lol:

I'll start things off with the ever-popular:

Anicca

Fred wondered what happened to Fred.
Did he go on a trip? Was he dead?
He looked in the mirror
(cuz no one is dearer)
but saw a complete stranger's head.



Next up (hope there's a taker out there):

Anatta

:popcorn:

Re: Theravadin limerick challenge

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:03 pm
by nathan
Jechbi wrote:Next up (hope there's a taker out there):

Anatta

:popcorn:
Ok, I'll try but I have no idea if this is correct form or if it is what you are after. If not let the Anatta challenge stand, otherwise I suggest "nibbana" might be interesting next. So, off the cuff:

there once was a thread named anatta
wherein every atta could chatta
only satipatthana
could settle the matta
to the full satisfaction of atta

Re: Theravadin limerick challenge

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 4:32 pm
by Jechbi
That is a masterpiece, nathan. :bow:

Any takers for nibbana?

Re: Theravadin limerick challenge

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 5:22 pm
by imagemarie
Okay - prepare to grimace

There once was a fruit - a banana
Given to a poor monk, it was dana.
He said, "It's pure sukha..
Thank-you all for the tucker"
And then promptly he entered nibbana.

Boom-boom :jumping:


What about "sati"?

Re: Theravadin limerick challenge

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 6:46 am
by Jechbi
I'll give it a shot.

Sati

Remember the first time you swam?
That sense that I'm swimming! I am!
Now you're out in the ocean,
huge waves, lots of motion.
Be mindful. Don't sink like a clam.


I'm sure someone else can do a better job with sati. Any other takers?

If not, have a go at:

Dukkha

Re: Theravadin limerick challenge

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:05 am
by nathan
dukkha's a trick to see throughka
'cause even the sukkha is dukkha
when dukkha is sukkha
its all sukkha dukkha
'cause clinging to sukkha is dukkha

"recluse"

Re: Theravadin limerick challenge

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:39 am
by cooran
I'm no good at this, but here goes....


This solit'ry thera recluse
didn't allow thoughts to run loose
The in breath the out breath
Would content him 'til death
But for the daily need to get food.

"Views"

Re: Theravadin limerick challenge

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:06 am
by appicchato
How did I let myself in for this?... :popcorn:

Everyone has their views
Even if it's old news
It's best to read Dhamma
Even if no Obamma
That way you'll be able to cruise

<Groan>...


Metta

Re: Theravadin limerick challenge

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:06 am
by appicchato
Sorry folks...I knew I shouldn't be here... :cookoo:

Re: Theravadin limerick challenge

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:07 am
by appicchato
Doubled...make that trebled up... :computerproblem:

Re: Theravadin limerick challenge

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 8:18 pm
by Tex
There once was a man in despair
It's a shame that he wasn't aware
That he would feel much betta
If he sent out some metta
For all of the world to share.



Karuna

Re: Theravadin limerick challenge

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:28 pm
by cooran
while under a goose-down doona
I thought of you with karuna
you're out in the snow with
no where sheltered to go
If only you'd come home much sooner!


"upekkha" or "equanimity" :)

Re: Theravadin limerick challenge

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:56 pm
by Tex
With a Boston accent...

I once knew a girl named Rebecca
Who was a great hockey cross checkah
As my head hit the ice
I thought, "Oh how nice,
Here's a chance to maintain my upekkha"



Panna

Re: Theravadin limerick challenge

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:56 pm
by AlaskanDhamma
Ajahn, it was a good try. :)

Re: Theravadin limerick challenge

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 2:41 am
by appicchato
AlaskanDhamma wrote:Ajahn, it was a good try. :)
Thank you AD...aside from my feeble attempt at the limerick, I've got a reeeally bad internet connection... :focus: