The challenge: Write a poem that contains a hidden limerick, which can be found by removing extraneous words, but that still works with those words included. The poem can have any structure you like. For example?

Here's a sample example, concrete and quite clear:
When a verse uses anapest feet as are here,
Then its syllables race at a furious pace
With a vigorous galloping beat to the ear.

Where's the limerick? Delete the few words in yellow, and split the third line into two shorter lines.

Here's a sample example, concrete and quite clear:
When a verse uses anapest feet as are here,
Then its syllables race
At a furious pace
With a vigorous galloping beat to the ear.

This is not an easy challenge. I found it harder than heck. Any takers?

See too the next post.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Hic et ubique,

Reiterating, the larger poem may be in any structure, not necessary the one shown above. The structure that's been driving me nuts the last few weeks is to write a ten-liner in rhyme-scheme ABABcdcdAB, where the poem makes sense as a whole and in addition, the odd-numbered lines AAccA form a viable limerick and the even-numbered lines BBddB form another.

It's a struggle, but I may be getting close to beating it into submission.

I find it hard enough to write limericks at all, without complicating things even further by embedding them in another poem. Count me out of this challenge!

I find it hard enough to write limericks at all, without complicating things even further by embedding them in another poem.

arnie, I am with you!

Great job, Bob and Hic. I doubt you will have too many followers, though.

That fellow named Jared was large, it is true.
His butt was as big as a barge painted blue.
So he went on a diet and lost all the weight
Now he cannot keep quiet as he fills up his plate
With subs that he gets at no charge, oh boo hoo.

Great, Jo!

Okay, posters, I have an idea. How about an Oxford English Dictionary in Embedded-Limerick Form?

No.. No.. No.. imagine The Scream picture now!