What Can You Find in a Clerihew?
Humor, rhyme, and little known facts come to mind.
You may have studied sonnets, elegies, and haiku in school. But what about a clerihew?
Edward Clerihew Bentley claims to have invented this whimsical biographical poem to escape boredom during his chemistry class. A clerihew begins with the name of the poem’s subject, generally someone famous. The four line poem follows the AABB rhyme scheme and usually has an irregular line length and meter.
A few famous clerihew creators include W.H. Auden, G.K. Chesterton, and Henry Taylor. This is Bentley’s most well-known clerihew.
Sir Humphrey Davy Abominated gravy. He lived in the odium Of having discovered sodium.
My obsession with quality and excellence led me to study the life and work of W. Edwards Deming. Even if you have never heard of the14 Points for Total Quality Management, the PDCA cycle for continuous improvement, or the Philosophy of Profound Knowledge, Deming’s work continues to influence how we approach leadership and excellence.
We don’t know Deming for his music, but he sang in choirs, played piano along with several other instruments, and composed music. We often forget that work or a job does not define the whole person. Our hobbies and passions keep us grounded and whole. They may reflect more of what lies within our core than we realize.
In remembrance of the multifaceted Dr. Deming, I offer this simple clerihew.
Dr. W. Edwards Deming thought quality quite compelling. Variation lives in everything but to music his soul did cling.
Looking for a challenge? I know several writing friends who can probably lighten up our days with their own humorous views expressed in one or more clerihews.
What about it Joe, Amy, Henery, Keno, Tree, Samantha, and others who use their poetic voices?
More thoughts on poetry…
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Kathryn A. LeRoy — a relentless seeker of excellence, kindness, learning, and believer in the strength of the human spirit. My why — inspiring your potential to be and become your best.
