Little Willies or Ruthless Rhymes

[Tinker]

Explore the Craft of Writing
Light Verse

Little Willies or Ruthless Rhymes were made popular at the turn of the 19th century because of a publication by Col. D Streamer"s (Harry Graham English poet , 1874-1936) Ruthless Rhymes for Heartless Homes. Graham took the pen name from his regiment, the Coldstream Guards. He wrote short satirical poems, one about a boy named Billy. Billy became Willie and a new form was born. The poems were recited and copied all over the English speaking world.

The elements of Little Willies are:

1. satirical
2. accentual, with 4 stresses per line.
3. a tetrastich. A complete poem in 4 lines.
4. composed with a surprise last line and a touch of sadistic humor.
5. rhymed. Rhyme scheme aabb or abab.
6. light verse.
7. often composed using Little Willie and his family as the brunt of the joke.

   Willie with a thirst for gore nailed his sister to the door Mother said with humor quaint "Careful, Willie, don't scratch the paint."                -------------------- --anonymous

   The Colonel brought Willie fame, his contribution to the arts, but whenever I hear the name my thoughts turn to body parts. ------------ -- Judi Van Gorder

More Little Willies

Dead Lounge

 

[Tinker]

Little Willie rode a horse,
he wasn't very good of course.
So when the trail went under a tree
the horse rubbed him off, you see.
                                ~~jvg

Willie asked his girlfriend on a date
the movie choice a contention
a fight then ensued, love turned to hate
and the evening was one of abstention.
                                  ~~jvg

 
 

[Tinker]

Willie's Costume

Little Willie on Halloween
decided to dress as Donald Trump.
He was as orange as ever was seen,
most guessed him a pumpkin grump.
                    ~~Judi Van Gorder

[Tinker]

Cold

Little Willie's gelid heart
could freeze boiling water,
but not very smart,
his hug froze his daughter.
                   ~~Judi Van Gorder