Cryptic Poem 011: Stray
Okay...the next little instalment of our cryptic adventure. The first two lines of each stanza have end rhymes but the last line of the first stanza rhymes with the last line of the second, and the third with the fourth. Got that? Just to inform you, those who tackle these poetic conundrums are in illustrious company – they have now been used as teaching tools at Manchester Grammar School and t...
1st December 2010
Cryptic Poem Winner
The winner from October's Prize Cryptic Poem is....
Cathy Bryant
All the way from Manchester.
The prize winner was chosen at random from all of the correct entries that we received.
The randomness of the selection was ensured through the process of sticking a pin into a hat ...
2nd November 2010
Prize Cryptic Poem 010 - Sweet-pea
Hi folks! Welcome to October’s PRIZE cryptic poem. The clues are no harder this month but the poem’s form is a little tricky. Let me explain...
Rather than end-rhymes, this piece rhymes the end...
8th October 2010
Cryptic Poem 009: Gravity
This simple lyric has a very sad theme. It is the kind of poem that would go well in a greeting card. If you really wanted to depress someone.
The form is simple rhyming couplets if you count t...
2nd September 2010
Cryptic Poem 008: Glory be to him
Okay folks. This month we’ve got a kind of feminist hymn in an almost traditional Shakespearean sonnet form. Go figure. Some of the rhymes are a bit ‘halfish’ but the rhyme scheme is ABBA CDCD EFFE...
3rd August 2010
Cryptic Poem 007: City Lost
Those of you who complete this month’s puzzle (and I only have Dermot’s word for it that anyone actually attempts these things) might look at the resulting poem and think, ‘Blimey, he’s getting a b...
1st July 2010
Cryptic Poem 006: Finches and Toddlers
Okay folks. After last month’s religiously contentious, but tonally facetious offering (those of you who solved it will have known what I mean, the rest of you can pretend you knew by reading the s...
3rd June 2010
Cryptic Poem 005: Advice to Young Atheists Attending Church Social Functions
Okay, folks. Another easy one for you on a playful Christian V Atheist theme, if such a thing is possible. The rhymes are very silly, and the rhyme scheme is AABB, CCDD, EEEE, FFFF.
If ...
1st May 2010
Cryptic Poem 004 - The Pen
Okay folks. Another easy one this month. A straightforward rhyming couplet ‘sonnet’ on a subject close to all our hearts. The metre is uneven but ‘natural’, ie. the rhythm flows quite nicely. I’ve...
1st April 2010
Cryptic Poem 003: Dirty Limericks
Nice easy ones this month. I am sure you are all well aware of the rhythms and conventions of the limerick. Simply solve the clues using logic, rhythm, rhyme and a dirty mind, and you will have you...
4th March 2010
Cryptic Poem 001 - Heron
The cryptic poem is the invention of Durham University's own Simon Rennie.
There are ten syllables in each line.
Each line has had two words removed but clues have been provided for them.
...
30th January 2010
Cryptic Poem 002: Intellect
The poem is regularly rhymed. The rhyme scheme is ABA BCB CDC DED EE. There are ten syllables in each line. Return the poem to its original form using the cryptic clues below.
Answers to...
30th January 2010
