[Martin Parker]

2009 does it for me, though I share George's misgivings about over-extending this particular form. But here goes, even though the last line is manifestly untrue ---

Carol Ann Duffy’s appointment
is a potential fly in the ointment,
since her stated intent
is not necessarily to cover each royal event.

Bearing in mind this year’s royal wedding
and, dynasts hope, an immediately productive bedding
will she write about either
or neither?

Time was when an aureate,
but invariably obsequious, Laureate
who did not perform when Royals were wedded
risked being beheaded.

[Jayne Osborn]

2009 does it for me, too, Martin. I love that last line of yours!

Stieg Larsson
was, sadly, buried by the parson
before his phenomenal success
with three great novels, no less.

And the films are far from tat, too,
about Lisbeth, the eponymous "Girl Who..."
2009 brought Stieg’s name,
like J K Rowling, worldwide fame.

It’s such a pity the poor (sorry, rich) man’s dead
and not a living legend instead.
But all that posthumous wealth
doesn’t compensate for good health.

[Roger Slater]

A HOUSE DIVIDED

Hugh Laurie,
what's the story?
Just when I got used 'ta
you as Bernie Wooster

you swapped your perfectly proper set of British jawbones
for the cranky twang of an American sawbones
known for his medical brilliance,
and, in the process, you made millions,

yet when that happened, you came down a rung,
debasing, as you have, Will Shakespeare's tongue,
and leaving Stephen Fry
to wonder why.


*
(In 2010, he became the highest paid actor in US television).

[Jayne Osborn]

Bob,
You have a little typo there - I think he made 'millions'.

[Jan D. Hodge]

Christine O'Donnell
from now on'll
be a byword for shrewd
political ineptitude.

Christine O'Donnell--
that myrmidonal
favorite of the Tea Party crowd,
smiling, smug, unbowed.

Christine O'Donnell
is absolutely paragonal,
for she, you see,
is not a witch; she's me.
_____

Christine O'Donnell--
hmmm, maybe John'll
run again with her as running mate.
The perfect heads of state!

Christine O'Donnell??
At least Amazon'll
make all her books best sellers
among cave dwellers.

Christine O'Donnell--
I wonder if DeCon'll
eradicate her
or merely aggravate her?

[Marion Shore]

Sarah Palin
has surged in the polls where once she was failin'.
So beware, you community organizers, healthcare fanatics, tree-huggers,
and left-leaning buggers.

But all you Joe Sixpacks, you'll find that she's tops--
This gal's got the chops,
blunt-spoken and hearty,
the perfect hostess for any Tea Party.

You won't hear her complaining about some endangered species.
No, it's easy to see she's
a hockey mom, a maverick, a pitbull with lipstick,
as smart as a dipstick.

[John Whitworth]

Come, come, Roger. Bertie Wooster, short for Bertram.

[Roger Slater]

Oops. It doesn't matter, though, since I didn't enter anything, half because I forgot and half because what I wrote didn't really cut the mustard.

[John Whitworth]

Well, all I managed was Strauss which I don't think has the legs to win either.

[Jayne Osborn]

Come, come, Roger. Bertie Wooster, short for Bertram.

Bob, I cannot believe that I pointed out your little typo with 'millions' and missed the 'Bertie' one. I've completely shot my reputayshun as a good poof-reeder now!!!