Parodies are Good Jokes: Slackerbutt

The parody poem is a different type of joke genre than the One Liner or the Story Joke. It's more like a long Limerick, ala Edward Leer. The parody tells a story, but applies it to a different situation than the orirignal poem portrayed, often something in daily life that is frustrating or slly.

One of my favorites is Mad Magazine's The Beagle, a 1959 parody of Edgar Allen Poe's classic, The Raven. The parody is not avaiable online that I can find, and I have my collector's issue locked up and safe. However, I can recall that the parody is about marketing and television commercials and the pet dog that has begun to bark out advertising slogans.

Quoth the Raven : Nevermore!

becomes

Quoth the Beagle: Drink Blatz Beer!

My own parody below uses as its foundation, Jabberwocky and the comedic situation of the lazy college roommate (with apologies to Jabberwoks and college students).

'Twas Brillo, and the slimy Dove

Detergent wallowed in the sink.

All filthy were the week-old dishes,

And the pizza box could slink.

"Beware the Slackerbutt, my Lass!

The claws that grab, the jaws that gab!

Beware the Mockingbirder, and shun

The confabulating witch!"

She took her trusty cell in hand:

Long time the Justice she had sought-

So called the Locksmith PDQ,

And stood awhile in thought.

And, as in smilish glee she stood,

The Slackerbutt, with eyes of glass,

Came whining through the pantry door,

And flustered as it came!

One, two, three, four!

One more treat and out the door

With a bag of chips and dip.

She let it go, and with her head

She nodded, knowing that

She hadst plot the move of Slackerbutt

And put its trash upon the step.

O Freedom day! Huzzah! Hooray!

She shouted out in joy.

The Sheriff came and moved the beast

When it could not get in the door.

And stacked were the sparking dishes,

And pizza at the door.

(c) 2008 Patty Inglish