Limerick for 2025 [No.3 Don't Mention the War!]
Don’t mention the war, when chez Basil,
one mentions the war at one’s peril:
it's the war Jerry started,
in Tom’s face he had farted:
yes, sauerkraut’s bouqet's far from floral!
Comments
Thu 16th Jan 2025 08:27
“Squirming a bit” is spot on Stephen.
I’ve often said that the best comedy / satire is that which, however far-fetched it appears, holds a grain of truth, which mirrors real life; in which I can recognise myself, and say ‘yep, that’s me, that grumpy old git, that selfish sod! ‘One foot in the grave’, and ‘Fawlty Towers’ being great examples.
And, in the context of politics, we should remember that many totalitarians and those of a fascist turn of mind, have professed a liking for poetry and the arts, but only that which serves their agendas!
I still squirm a bit when I see that Fawlty Towers episode, Uilleam, but of course that's the reaction which was intended. We must be allowed to satirise bigotry, otherwise......
Thanks for this.
Wed 15th Jan 2025 21:11
Thanks Rolph.
My original inspiration was an episode of Fawlty Towers, titled "The Germans", (who were guests) in which Basil Fawlty goes off on an hysterically funny rant about Hitler.
He'd warned one of the staff to not mention the war; but due to his (guilt inspired?) paranoia it all went downhill from there!
I ended up making a segue to the Tom and Jerry cartoon characters.
Wed 15th Jan 2025 20:33
Dear Uilleam,
I’ve been reflecting on your limerick, and I think it’s more than just a lighthearted jab/jibe at the Germans. The "Jerry" reference cleverly ties to the Germans, making the limerick a subtle allusion to World War II.
The image of Jerry "farting in Tom’s face" trivialises the origins of the war, as if to say it all began with something small and silly but escalated into catastrophe. The line about Sauerkraut not being floral further emphasises the harshness and bitterness of the war—no beauty, just a sharp, pungent reality.
It’s a playful yet poignant way of reflecting on history, poking fun at the irony of conflict while still confronting its serious consequences. What’s your take on this?
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Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh
Thu 16th Jan 2025 11:19
Thanks for your likes and comments:
Rolph
Stephen Gospage
Naomi