Classics Revisited

 If you screeched, ‘He has stolen this verse!’

 You’re mistaken, so rather than curse,

Read the next two again

(From page one), for it’s plain

 I have made a few better – or worse.

 Though most of the verses are mine,

 I have tried to bring old ones new shine,

So I’m now in great debt

 To dead bards I’ve upset,

 And hope that galled ghosts are benign.

Yet perhaps they enjoy the tradition

 That tolerates part-repetition.

If a limerick tries

 Modern rhymes on for sighs,

  It should thrill its old bard’s apparition.

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The phrase "inspired by a classic" usually means that I have substantially rewritten one (Birmingham). In a few cases, I have used no part of the old verse, having merely referred to it in a jocular manner (Nantucket). Occasionally I have borrowed very heavily from a classic limerick, but have still put my own stamp on it (Crewe).

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