July/August 2017 Limerick Laughs Winners and Runners-Up

An illustration of 1950s parents leaving their two suns at a summer camp.
George Hughes, © SEPS

Have a good time at camp, and goodbye.
We will pick you up come mid-July.
While you fight off mosquitos,
We’ll sip on mojitos
And blast the ol’ A/C on high.

Congratulations to Jennifer Klein of Tel Aviv, Israel! For her limerick, Jennifer wins $25 and our gratitude for her witty and entertaining poem describing First Day at Camp, George Hughes’ cover from July 3, 1954.

If you’d like to enter the Limerick Laughs Contest for our next issue of The Saturday Evening Post, submit your limerick through our online entry form.

We received a lot of great limericks. Here are some of the other ones that made us smile, in no particular order:

As much as I want to enjoy it,
An issue exists that might spoil it.
Not the missing TV
Or my teddy, you see,
But the lack of a working flush toilet.

—Paul Desjardins, West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

To his parents it’s perfectly clear:
Their boy does not want to be here.
All morning he’d fussed,
But he soon will adjust,
And be begging to come back next year.

—Joyce Petrichek, Finleyville, Pennsylvania

We’ll see you the first of September.
You’re mad at us now, but remember:
If Mom gets her way,
By April or May
We’ll have a new family member.

—Roger Harris, New York City, New York

The mother, she looks apprehensive.
The boy looks a little bit pensive.
And as for the dad,
I suppose that he’s mad
That this summer camp’s so darn expensive.

—Neal Levin, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Daddy says camping is cool —
No homework, no lessons, no school.
Now I will have fun
But they will have none,
Just drinking their wine by the pool.

—Bonnie Draje, Solon Springs, Wisconsin

Just think of the fun you’ll discover
At camp, while I’m home with your mother.
And if all goes to plan
We will increase our clan,
And you will come home a big brother!

—Michelle Gordon, Airway Heights, Washington

Our look says, “We love you, dear one.”
We know that this camp will be fun.
Yet, while you’re away,
We grown-ups will play,
And we’ll miss you — a little — dear son.

—Joan O’Kelley, Hoschton, Georgia

A boy tries his best not to cry
As his mom and his dad wave goodbye.
I don’t mean to annoy,
But which one’s their boy?
The artist does not specify.

—Sam Beeson, American Fork, Utah

This seemingly heartbroken scamp
Is secretly eager for camp.
It gives him a while
To practice a style
His parents would otherwise cramp.

—Jeff Foster, San Francisco, California

March/April 2015 Limerick Laughs Winner and Runners-Up

boy giggles at girl who is kissing another boy

Blow out the candles they say.
I see her coming my way.
A birthday kiss,
She plants without miss.
Ray gasps a muffled, “No WAY!”

—Lisa Radtke, Sussex, Wisconsin

Congratulations to Lisa Radtke! For her limerick describing Francis Tipton Hunter’s illustration Birthday Kiss (above), Lisa 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, Lisa’s limerick wasn’t the only one we liked! Here are some of our favorite limericks, from our runners-up, in no particular order:

Little brother was taking a peek
As she kissed Charlie Clark on the cheek;
When he said, “I’ll tell Mum!”
She replied, “Don’t be dumb,
Or I’ll tell her what you did last week!”
—John Bayly, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia

They’re young now, but wait till they’re older.
That boy will most likely be bolder.
Then the girl might be shy,
But the gleam in her eye
Will tell him she wants him to hold her.

She knew she had made a mistake
When she pilfered the last piece of cake —
There was plenty amiss,
But she gave him a kiss
And went home with a big bellyache.

—Linda Meacham,Red Wing, Minnesota

When kissing, a basic technique
Is giving a peck on the cheek.
But sometimes a spy
May be lurking nearby
And instead of a peck, gets a peek.
—Neal Levin, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

It’s no fun when a pal sneaks a peek
At a torturous peck on the cheek.
But a blessing is found:
There’s no iPhone around
For an Instagram Pic of the Week.
—Jeff Foster, San Francisco, California

The party kiss left his head in a whirl,
And his toes were beginning to curl.
But a buddy was peeking,
And off he ran, shrieking,
“Hey, Marty was just smooched — by a GIRL!”
—Glenn Hackney, Fairbanks, Alaska

Now, because of a kiss and a squeeze,
He’s the one all his buddies will tease.
But in a few years or more
With girlfriends by the score,
They’ll all want his secrets to please.

His face shows no sign of bliss
At receiving so ardent a kiss,
But just 10 birthdays more
And his heart will soar
When he gets one from some pretty miss.
—Colleen Zethmayr, Valley Center, California

Since she first eyed the boy she was smitten.
Waiting for the right chance — what a kitten.
His birthday seemed right
Soon that very night,
With a sweet kiss, the love bug had bitten.
—Janette Hattis, Gowen, Michigan

At a party a fellow named Willie
Got a kiss from a sweetie named Millie.
It was witnessed by Fred.
Willie cried; Mill went red.
Their passion, I think, turned quite chilly!
—Sonia Schork, Sierra Vista, Arizona

This really pretty young girl
Is ready to give love a twirl.
This boy she will kiss
With never a miss,
But is he ready to give love a whirl?
—Ken Groner, Seven Hills, Ohio

Hey, there are no presents back here,
And why are you standing so near?
Let go of my neck!
I don’t want a peck.
I wish that I could disappear.
—Hannah Holt, Hillsboro, Oregon

Limerick Laughs Contest Winners

We are pleased to present our Limerick Laughs contest winners and runners-up!

Click the images or text below to read our favorite limericks from the most recent issues of The Saturday Evening Post.

Submit your limerick to the Limerick Laughs Contest for our current issue via the online entry form.

November/December 2023 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Paul Buchheit of Chicago, Illinois! Paul wins $25 for his limerick describing Mary Ellen Sigsbee’s Christmas Peek from the December 22 1934, issue of the Post.

Scott Howard "Early Morning Feeding" Jan 27, 1945September/October 2023 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Helen Ksypka of Eliot, Maine! Helen wins $25 for her limerick describing Howard Scott’s Early Morning Feeding from the January 27, 1945, issue of the Post.

Broken Beach Chair John Hyde Phillips August 12, 1939 © SEPSJuly/August 2023 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Barbara Hosbach of Pennington, New Jersey! Barbara wins $25 for her limerick describing John Hyde Phillips’s Broken Beach Chair from the August 12, 1939, issue of the Post.

Stevan Dohanos "Toddler and Oranges"May/June 2023 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Angie Gyetvai of Oldcastle, Ontario! Angie wins $25 for a limerick describing Stevan Dohanos’s Toddler and Oranges from the September 19, 1953, issue of the Post.

Robert L. Dickey's "Cat Guards Bowl of Mil"March/April 2023 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Paxton Grant of Hightown, Virginia! Paxton wins $25 for a limerick describing Robert L. Dickey’s Cat Guards Bowl of Milk from the February 27, 1926, issue of the Post.

A boy in a tux presents a black and white dog to an amazed girl, while another boy hiding inside the box provides the puppy's voice.January/February 2023 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Jeanne Kaufman of Boulder, Colorado! Jeanne wins $25 for her limerick describing Alan Foster’s Bozo the Talking Dog from the September 1, 1928, issue of the Post.

A boy in a red bow tie scowls as he thumbs through the copy of "Lives of the Saints" that he found in his Christmas stocking.November/December 2022 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Gennadiy Gurariy of Milwaukee, Wisconsin! Gennadiy wins $25 for a limerick describing Leslie Thrasher’s Lives of the Saints from the December 26, 1949, issue of the Post.

September/October 2022 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Jim Johnston of Poland, Ohio! Jim wins $25 for a limerick describing Frederic Stanley’s Costume Surprise from the February 12, 1921, issue of the Post.

July/August 2022 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Gennadiy Gurariy of Milwaukee, Wisconsin! Gennadiy wins $25 for a limerick describing Coby Whitmore’s Fishing Season from the June 3, 1950, issue of the Post.

"Rivals" by Norman Rockwell From September 9, 1922May/June 2022 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Ross Manes of Junction City, Kansas! Ross wins $25 for his limerick describing Norman Rockwell’s Rivals from the September 9, 1922, issue of the Post.

First in Line for Tickets by Monte CrewsMarch/April 2022 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Ken Morgan of Chapel Hill, North Carolina! Ken wins $25 for his limerick describing this Monte Crews cover from the September 30, 1939, issue of the Post.

Norman Rockwell's Cupid's Visit, April 5, 1924January/February 2022 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Jeff Foster of San Francisco, California! Jeff wins $25 for his limerick describing this Norman Rockwell cover from the April 5, 1924, issue of the Post.

A young boy in a high chair digging into a roasted turkey.November/December 2021 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Daniel Galef of Tallahassee, Florida! Daniel wins $25 for his limerick describing this J.C. Leyendecker cover from the November 11, 1914, issue of the Post.

September/Octobera young schoolboy looks both embarrassed and fearful as a stern schoolmarm points to the clock on the wall. 2021 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Jim Johnston of Poland, Ohio! Jim wins $25 for his limerick describing this J.C. Leyendecker cover from the September 19, 1914, issue of the Post.

A young girl shielding her eyes as she walks past a No Swimming sign covered with boys' clothes.July/August 2021 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Maxine Babalis of Salt Lake City, Utah! Maxine wins $25 for her limerick describing this Norman Rockwell cover from the June 15, 1929, issue of the Post.

Cat following girl with bird cageMay/June 2021 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Dan Curley of Porter Corners, New York! Dan wins $25 for a limerick describing this Sarah Stilwell-Weber cover from the April 27, 1918, issue of the Post.

March/April 2021 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Ronald Levinsky of South Salem, New York! Michael wins $25 for a limerick describing this colorful George Hughes cover from the March 28, 1953, issue of the Post.

Henry Hintermeister Valentine's Day CG coverJanuary/February 2021 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Michael Chanatry of Centerville, Ohio! Michael wins $25 for a fun limerick describing this Henry Hintermeister cover from the February 1938 issue of Country Gentleman.

a black terrier in the snowNovember/December 2020 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Ken Morgan of Chapel Hill, North Carolina! Ken wins $25 for a playful limerick describing this W.W. Calvert cover from the January 30, 1943, issue of The Saturday Evening Post.

September/October 2020 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Cheryl Ireland of Lapeer, Michigan! Cheryl wins $25 for a laughable limerick describing this detail from a John Falter cover from the May 13, 1950, issue of The Saturday Evening Post.

July/August 2020 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Julie Barsel Bergman of Newington, Connecticut! Julie wins $25 for a laughable limerick describing this J.C. Leyendecker cover from the July 24, 1915, issue of The Saturday Evening Post.

A young boy tries to exercise with arm-stretching springs that are clearly too large for him.May/June 2020 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Ken Morgan of Chapel Hill, North Carolina! Ken wins $25 for a laughable limerick describing this Kurt Ard cover from the March 14, 1959, issue of The Saturday Evening Post.

March/April 2020 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Richard Howard of Gainesville, Florida! Richard wins $25 for a witty limerick describing this W.D. Stevens cover from the May 1, 1937, issue of The Saturday Evening Post.

January/February 2020 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Mike Arndt of Clements, Maryland! For a great limerick describing this Norman Rockwell cover from the November 21, 1936, issue of The Saturday Evening Post, Mike wins $25 and our gratitude.

November/December 2019 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Jan Sasek of Antelope, California! For a great limerick describing the scene in this Norman Rockwell cover from the December 16, 1933, issue of The Saturday Evening Post, Jan wins $25 and our gratitude.

September/October 2019 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to M. Leach of Groton, Massachusetts! For a great limerick describing the scene in this Frances Tipton Hunter cover illustration from the March 25, 1939, issue of The Saturday Evening Post, M. Leach wins $25 and our gratitude.

Old sailor with two young girls, one dressed as robot, one with conch shell.July/August 2019 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Jan Sasek of Antelope, California! For a fun limerick describing this John Falter cover illustration from the July 21, 1956, issue of The Saturday Evening Post, Jan wins $25 and our gratitude.

May/June 2019 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Lorraine Ray of Aiken, South Carolina! Lorraine wins $25 and our gratitude for her fun limerick describing this Frances Tipton Hunter cover from the February 15, 1941, issue of The Saturday Evening Post.

Constantin Alajalov's illustration of a fisherman on a boat in the rain.March/April 2019 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Joyce Petricheck of Finleyville, Pennsylvania! Joyce wins $25 and our gratitude for her fish-wish limerick describing Constantin Alajálov’s Deep Sea Fishing in Rain from the August 31, 1946, issue of The Saturday Evening Post.

January/February 2019 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Brian Federico of Clyde, New York! Brian wins $25 and our gratitude for his funny and witty limerick describing Frederic Stanley’s Practice Propsal, from April 30, 1927, issue of The Saturday Evening Post.

November/December 2018 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Jennifer Glancy of Alexandria, Virginia! Lisa wins $25 and our gratitude for her funny and witty limerick describing J.F. Kernan’s Thanksgiving, from November 24, 1923, issue of Country Gentleman.

September/October 2018 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Lisa Timpf of Simcoe, Ontario, Canada! Lisa wins $25 and our gratitude for her funny and witty limerick describing E.M. Jackson’s Touchdown, from November 1931.

July/August 2018 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Linda Fein of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! Linda wins $25 and our gratitude for her funny and witty limerick describing Henry Hintermeister’s A Kiss for Ice Cream, from June 1936.

Artist and Animals by J.C. Leyendecker

May/June 2018 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Michelle Gordon-Weedon of Airway Heights, Washington! Michelle wins $25 and our gratitude for her funny and witty limerick describing J.C. Leyendecker’s cover from May 26, 1934.

March/April 2018 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Elaine Person of Orlando, Florida! Elaine wins $25 and our gratitude for her funny and witty limerick describing J.C. Leyendecker’s cover from June 11, 1921.

A thumbnail of Albert Hampson's CotillionJanuary/February 2018 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Linda Neukrug of Walnut Creek, California! Linda wins $25 and our gratitude for her funny and witty limerick describing Cotillion, Albert W. Hampson’s cover from May 23, 1936.

"Begging for Turkey"November/December 2017 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Neal Levin of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan! Neal wins $25 and our gratitude for his funny and witty limerick describing Begging for Turkey, J.C. Leyendecker’s cover from December 2, 1933.

September/October 2017 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Jeff Foster of San Francisco! Jeff wins $25 and our gratitude for his funny and witty limerick describing Sitting on the Wrong Side, Gene Pelham’s cover from November 15, 1941.

An illustration of 1950s parents leaving their two suns at a summr camp.

July/August 2017 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Jennifer Klein of Tel Aviv, Israel! For her limerick, Jennifer wins $25 and our gratitude for her witty and entertaining poem describing First Day at Camp, George Hughes’ cover from July 3, 1954.

Penny Candy

May/June 2017 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Cheryl Ireland of Chesterfield, Michigan! Cheryl wins $25 and our gratitude for her sweet and endearing poem describing Frances Tipton Hunter’s August 19, 1939, cover Penny Candy.

Paul Stahr's "Kissing Winter Goodbye"March/April 2017 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Karen Eastlund of Raritan, New Jersey! Karen wins $25 and our gratitude for her sweet and endearing poem describing Paul Stahr’s March 7, 1925, cover Kissing Winter Goodybe.

Snowball Fight

January/February 2017 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Jeff Foster of San Francisco, California! For his winning limerick, Jeff wins $25 and our gratitude for his witty and entertaining poem describing Penrhyn Stanlaws’ 1928 cover Snowball Fight.

Dog under a Christmas Tree

November/December 2016 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Jeff Foster of San Francisco, California! For his winning limerick, Jeff wins $25 and our gratitude for his witty and entertaining poem describing Charles Kaiser’s 1942 Christmas cover Dog Basket

Dog on the field

September/October 2016 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Karen Meissner of Bothell, Washington, for her winning limerick describing the Lonie Bee’s Dog on the Field.

Billboard painters keeping cool in summer heat

July/August 2016 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Guy Pietrobono of Washingtonville, New York, for his winning limerick describing the Stevan Dohanos’ Billboard Painters.

Boy laying in the grass with his dog

May/June 2016 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Rebekah Hoeft of Redford, Michigan, for her winning limerick describing the Harold Anderson’s Sick of Smoking.

Fat man holding tiny golf trophyMarch/April 2016 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Alfred Cross of Sacramento, California, for his winning limerick describing the George Brehm’s illustration Golf Trophy.

JFLimerick_FSandsBruner_9350216_150x150Jan/Feb 2016 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Deborah Dickinson-Deacon of Amherst, New York, for her winning limerick describing the F. Sands Bruner illustration Valentine’s Gifts.

Man trying to ice skate

Nov/Dec 2015 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Adele Suga for her winning limerick describing the George Hughes illustration Ice-skating Class for Dad.


Dirty boy football player in bathtub

Sept/Oct 2015 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Rose Hester of Brooklyn, New York, our September/October 2015 contest winner!


Sunburned sunbather

July/August 2015 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Jeff Foster of San Francisco, California, our July/August 2015 contest winner!


Ran out of ice cream at children's picnic

May/June 2015 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Paul Madsen of Columbia Heights, Minnesota, our May/June 2015 contest winner!


boy giggles at girl who is kissing another boy

March/April 2015 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Lisa Radtke of Sussex, Wisconsin, our March/April 2015 contest winner!


Snow Skier After the Falls by Constantin Alajalov

Jan/Feb 2015 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Phillip Belfiori of Bel Air, Maryland, our January/February 2015 contest winner!


Boy sleeping at Thanksgiving table

Nov/Dec 2014 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Keith Channing of Saint-Maigner, France, our November/December 2014 contest winner!


Witches riding broomsticks in the night sky surrounded by bats

Sept/Oct 2014 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Terry Free of Andover, Minnesota, our September/October 2014 contest winner!


cow stepping on picnic lunch while mother and baby run away

July/August 2014 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Katharine Wallace of Florence, Alabama, our July/August 2014 contest winner!



young girl placing corsage in refigerator

May/June 2014 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Jeanne Kaufman of Boulder, Colorado, our May/June 2014 contest winner!


chickens with Easter eggs

March/April 2014 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Jane Yunker of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, our March/April 2014 contest winner!


mand shoveling floral shop sidewalk

Jan/Feb 2014 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to John Eggerton of Springfield, Virginia, our January/February 2014 contest winner!


Choir Boys Will Be Boys by Frances Tipton Hunter

Nov/Dec 2013 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Curt Bench of Salt Lake City, Utah, our November/December 2013 contest winner!


girl bobbing for apples

Sept/Oct 2013 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Doreen Graham of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, our September/October 2013 contest winner!


Babysitter at Beach Stand by George Hughes

July/Aug 2013 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Joan Kelley of Tucson, Arizona, our July/August 2013 contest winner!


Trapeze Artist

May/June 2013 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Neal Levin of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, our May/June 2013 contest winner!


woman making shamrock cake

March/April 2013 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Philip Lindal of Yale, Michigan, our March/April 2013 contest winner!

Boy reading a Valentine card.

Jan/Feb 2013 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Patrick Murtha of Greencastle, Indiana, our January/February 2013 contest winner!

Illustration for The Saturday Evening Post by Richard Sargent

Nov/Dec 2012 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Bette Killion of Greencastle, Indiana, our November/December 2012 contest winner!

Illustration by Roberto Parada

Sept/Oct 2012 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to James Carpenter of Miami, Florida, our September/October 2012 contest winner!

Write a limerick for this image.

July/Aug 2012 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Timothy Cannon of Osceola, Iowa, our July/August 2012 contest winner!

Illustration by James Williamson for The Saturday Evening Post.

May/June 2012 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Julie Polak of Bucyrus, Ohio, our May/June 2012 contest winner!

March/April 2012 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Neal Levin of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, our March/April 2012 contest winner!

Shooting Gallery by Constatin Alajalov

Jan/Feb 2012 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Rita Schilling of Fort Worth, Texas, our January/February 2012 contest winner!

Thanksgiving Turkeys

Nov/Dec 2011 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Gayla Baggett of Hendersonville, Tennessee, our November/December 2011 contest winner!

Limericks

Sept/Oct 2011 Limerick Laughs

Congratulations to Neal Levin of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, our September/October 2011 contest winner!

Limerick Laughs

Due to a clerical error, the runners-up for the Mar/Apr 2011 Limerick Laughs contest will not be posted to the website. We apologize to those of you who submitted poems and were hoping to see them in print. In the future, we plan to post the top 10 limericks for each issue. Keep those submissions coming!

The Saturday Evening Post will award $100 to the author of the winning limerick for this picture.

Limericks must contain five lines. Entries will not be returned. Enter as many times as you wish.

The Jul/Aug 2011 Limerick Laughs winner will be announced in the Nov/Dec 2011 issue. Entries must be postmarked by August 3.

Send entries on a postcard to:
Limerick Laughs
The Saturday Evening Post
1100 Water way Blvd.
Indianapolis, IN 46202

We extend our congratulations and $100 to Joel Kravitz, Houston, Texas for the Mar/Apr 2011 winning entry.

He thought bowling was a way he’d impress.
But he soon had to reasess.
She said with a grin
As she knocked down every pin,
"I’m much better when I don’t wear a dress "

Limerick Laughs

Due to a clerical error, the runners-up for the Mar/Apr 2011 Limerick Laughs contest will not be posted to the website. We apologize to those of you who submitted poems and were hoping to see them in print. In the future, we plan to post the top 10 limericks for each issue. Keep those submissions coming!

The Saturday Evening Post will award $100 to the author of the winning limerick for this picture.

Limericks must contain five lines. Entries will not be returned. Enter as many times as you wish.

The May/Jun 2011 Limerick Laughs winner will be announced in the Sep/Oct 2011 issue. Entries must be postmarked by June 3.

Send entries on a postcard to:
Limerick Laughs
The Saturday Evening Post
1100 Water way Blvd.
Indianapolis, IN 46202

We extend our congratulations and $100 to Steve Boneske, Greenfield Center, New York, for the Jan/Feb 2011 winning entry.

Take your medicine by George Hughes
Take Your Medicine
George Hughes
September 23, 1950

Dad’s ready to show how it’s done,
Gets an uneasy look from his son.
Mom whispers, “My dear,
You have nothing to fear.”
If he felt better, he’d get up and run!

Honorable mentions

The boy shies away with lips pursed,
So Dad says, “Hero! I’ll try it first!”
With eyes tightly closed,
Body stiff head to toes,
It’s quite clear he’s expecting the worst.
—Mary Beth Benecke, Columbus, Ohio

Brave dad is showing his son
To take your medicine on day one!
You’ll get well real quick,
No longer be sick,
And be out with friends having fun.
—Naomi Rogerson, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Limerick Laughs

Due to a clerical error, the runners-up for the Mar/Apr 2011 Limerick Laughs contest will not be posted to the website. We apologize to those of you who submitted poems and were hoping to see them in print. In the future, we plan to post the top 10 limericks for each issue. Keep those submissions coming!

The Saturday Evening Post will award $100 to the author of the winning limerick for this picture.

Limericks must contain five lines. Entries will not be returned. Enter as many times as you wish.

The Mar/Apr 2011 Limerick Laughs winner will be announced in the Jul/Aug 2011 issue. Entries must be postmarked by April 4, 2011.

Send entries on a postcard to:
Limerick Laughs
The Saturday Evening Post
1100 Water way Blvd.
Indianapolis, IN 46202

We extend our congratulations and $100 to Rosemary Eigenberger, Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, for the Nov/Dec 2010 winning entry.

© SEPS.

With amusement the kids watch this drama,
As the little girl clings to her mama.
But one little guy
Looks ready to cry;
Perhaps he’s reliving the trauma.

Honorable Mentions

Played out in some classrooms each fall,
It’s a scene that’s unsettling for all:
When a toddler must part
From the love of her heart,
At her first teacher’s beck and call.
—Howard Price, Wendell, North Carolina

While her students all watched with delight,
As the new girl put up a good fight,
The well-seasoned teacher
Knew just how to reach her,
So her mom could retreat and take flight.
—Mary Ann Pendleton, Waxhaw, North Carolina

Limerick Laughs for November/December 2010

The Saturday Evening Post will award $100 to the author of the winning limerick for this picture.

Limericks must contain five lines. Entries will not be returned. Enter as many times as you wish.

The Nov/Dec 2010 Limerick Laughs winner will be announced in the Mar/Apr 2011 issue. Entries must be postmarked by December 6, 2010.

Send entries on a postcard to:
Limerick Laughs
The Saturday Evening Post
1100 Water way Blvd.
Indianapolis, IN 46202

We extend our congratulations and $100 to Paige Schenker, Sierra Madre, California, for the Jul/Aug 2010 winning entry.

© SEPS.

This man’s in a bit of a crunch.
Too quickly he bragged to this bunch
That in a very short time,
He’d make dinner sublime.
Let’s just hope they all ate a late lunch.

Honorable mentions

“There’s nothing to it!” He’d boast.
He’d be both the chef and the host.
But now is the hour,
He’s waist-deep in flour,
And his poor guests may have to eat toast.
—Ruby Denton, Indianapolis, Indiana

The boss is over tonight,
Expecting a gourmet delight.
Bob’s got the notion
He’ll get a promotion,
So he’d better get this meal right!
—Robert M. Dillow, Bel Air, Maryland

Limerick Laughs

The Saturday Evening Post will award $100 to the author of the winning limerick for this picture.

Limericks must contain five lines. Entries will not be returned. Enter as many times as you wish.

The Sep/Oct 2010 Limerick Laughs winner will be announced in the Jan/Feb 2011 issue. Entries must be postmarked by October 6, 2010.

Send entries on a postcard to:
Limerick Laughs
The Saturday Evening Post
1100 Wa­ter­­way Blvd.
Indianapolis, IN 46202

We extend our congratulations and $100 to Mary Ann Pendleton, Waxhaw, North Carolina, for the May/Jun 2010 winning entry.

One day after golf he came home,
Found his wife putting balls all alone.
With her putter lined up,
The ball rolled in the cup,
And all he could do then was groan.

Honorable mentions go to:

As Lou stood there perplexed and in awe,
His cigar fell as he dropped his jaw.
Since Mabel’s putt was on line
He moaned, “It’s better than mine,”
And he wasn’t sure he liked what he saw.
—Jan Streilein from Aiken, South Carolina

She said at home she’d be quite content,
So off to play golf with his pals he went.
When he left his spouse
To “putter around the house,”
This is not what he thought she meant!
—Jane Grau from Charlottesville, Virginia