As World Swallowtail Day 2020 approaches, we may not be able to get out into the field to visit our favourite nature reserve or butterfly garden, but we can still celebrate the beauty and diversity of swallowtails and have some fun at the same time. Poems are a good way to do this, so let’s support National Limerick Day and have a go at writing a limerick about swallowtails!
Observed annually on 12th May, National Limerick Day celebrates the birthday of English artist, author and poet Edward Lear (1812 – 1888). Lear is best known for writing amusing literary nonsense. His limericks became popular when he published his “Book of Nonsense” in 1846.
A limerick is a short nonsense poem. There are just five lines; the first two rhyme with the fifth line and the third and fourth rhyme together.
But the Limerick also has a particular rhythm, which can be tricky to capture!
Why not have a go at a five-line limerick yourself?
To get the ball rolling our Chairman, Mark Collins, has had a go at a limerick about the world’s largest butterfly! We’re sure you can do better!
Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing
Lord Rothschild, lately of Tring,
Achieved a remarkable thing;
He sent Albert Meek
Up river and creek
For Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing!
World Swallowtail Day is coming up on 14th June and we will compile an anthology of your work on our website. Please send your contributions to our Editor for the event, Richard Harrington at richard@royensoc.co.uk.
Richard, who is Editor of the Royal Entomological Society’s journal Antenna, is himself a celebrated entomological poet with a popular book of poems about British butterflies, “The Butterfly Collection” – see details below.