There’s an axiom simply absurd
That says boys should be seen and not heard.
But this lad was so weak,
That he just couldn’t speak
After eating the whole of that bird!
—Keith Channing, Saint-Maigner, Puy-de-Dome, France
Congratulations to Keith Channing! For his limerick describing J.C. Leyendecker’s illustration After Turkey Nap (above), Keith wins $25 — and our gratitude for a job well done. If you’d like to enter the Limerick Laughs Contest for our upcoming issue, submit your limerick via our online entry form.
Of course, Keith’s limerick wasn’t the only one we liked! Here are some of our favorite limericks from our runners-up, in no particular order:
In school there had been nothing but rushes
To learn all about ,,, and +++.
But now in his bed,
Soft pillow for head,
His sleep takes away all the fusses
—Val Cheatham, Witchita, Kansas
This chap’s full of great Christmas dinner.
The wishbone is his. He’s a winner,
But if he keeps snoozing,
He could end up losing
His prize to a bone-stealing sinner.
—Janice Canerdy, Potts Camp, Mississippi
The boy is Patrick O’Loring.
He thinks Thanksgiving is boring.
Before mom could serve
The mashers with herbs,
The kid was already snoring.
—Jimmy Peterson, Houston, Texas
The wishbone attests to his meal,
And turkey has lost its appeal.
The laddie is stuffed.
His tummy is puffed.
Nap time has set in for real.
—Fran Million, Fremont, Nebraska
There was a young fellow named Ned,
Who needed to get to his bed.
Though dinner had ended,
With grown-ups long winded,
He had to recline just his head.
—Joan O’Kelley, Hoschton, Georgia
For you and your pal’s wish to come true
You both gotta snap that wishbone in two,
So let’s start by ignoring
The sleeping and snoring—
Grab that wishbone and do more than just chew.
—Terry Free, Andover, Minnesota
This sleepy boy isn’t so tough.
He’s had a hard day — it’s been rough.
If he can’t stay alert,
He’ll miss his dessert.
He’s eaten quite more than enough.
—Joye Greenwalt, Nacogdoches, Texas
The climax of Thanksgiving Day —
His new dreams are well underway.
High hopes he’ll postpone.
He’ll save that wishbone
‘Cause Christmas ain’t that far away.
—Lynnda Cruz, Las Vegas, Nevada
Thought the food for the feast was complete
Till I saw how my nephew could eat.
He kept asking for more.
Had to run to the store.
Then, at last, he dozed off in his seat!
—JoAnn White, Westfield, Massachusetts
This hungry American chap
Ate every last smidgen and scrap.
Now dinner has ended.
(And wasn’t it splendid!)
It’s time for a well-deserved nap.
—Neal Levin, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
The little boy’s smile was a winner,
As he eyed the remains of his dinner.
A turkey surprise
Too big for his eyes
Made him snooze ’til his tummy got thinner.
—Alison Webster, Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom
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