Miss Conduct is running a contest that involves writing a short poem called a clerihew. For those of us who were not English majors, here is the

Definition of a clerihew:

 1. They are about a person, and the first line is (usually) the name of that person.
2. There are four lines.
3. The rhyme scheme is AABB; the first two lines and the second two lines rhyme.
4. There is no meter; that is, the lines can be as long or short as you want.

An example:

Agatha Christie
Wrote plot lines so twisty,
Whodunit we’d never know
If it weren’t for the little grey cells of Poirot.

The rules of the contest:

1. Leave your clerihews in comments.
2. Follow the proper clerihew form.
3. No clerihews about me, Mr. Improbable, or Milo (if you want to post or e-mail me some, we’d be delighted, but clerihews about the judge, her spouse, or beloved dog can’t be considered for the contest for reasons of objectivity).
4. Clerihews containing sexual or political material will be disallowed. Yes, both “John McCain” and “Barack Obama” are rich in potential rhymes, but so are “Shania Twain” and “The Dalai Lama,” so make it about them, okay?
5. You can enter as many clerihews as you like.
6. Clerihews will be judged on wit, accuracy, psychological perspecuity, and linguistic ingenuity.

 I think you could probably write some funny ones about coworkers, but for God’s sake, change the name of your coworker and any identifying details. Fiction is just as true as non-fiction, as we say.

More contest details here, and check out the ones that are up already in comments. Very satisfying reading.