From Bad to Verse: Celebrating Three Years of Bainbridge Island Limericks, Thanks to the History Museum and Rotary

By Madelon Morrow, Collections Manager of the Bainbridge History Museum 

Starting in 2008, the Eagle Harbor Book Company fostered an annual limerick contest. The contest started with their employees, Ann Combs and John Willson, who would make up limericks for fun when working the closing shift at Eagle Habor Books. Their individual interest grew into them publishing their own written limericks to solicit other islanders to join in the fun, and they came in droves. So many participated that, after three years of contests, they published their winners and honorable mentions in a small book titled From Bad to Verse: Celebrating Three Years of Bainbridge Island Limericks.

For those unfamiliar, a limerick is a five-line (usually humorous) poem in a distinctive lilting rhythm. Once you discover the rhythm, it can be a bit addictive to find ways to turn a phrase. For example, here is Ann Combs solicitation poem from 2009:

Ah, spring in the air, give a cheer

Dear poets, it’s that time of year

So for better or worse

Describing some place you hold dear.

— Ann Combs

This book commemorating the first three years was discovered during our second year partnering with the Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island at the annual Auction and Rummage Sale and how fitting – a community creation at a community event. Though small, this publication shows such a fascinating look at our island from the perspective of islanders telling their silliest anecdotes! While some are more family friendly than others, they are all clearly written as a love letter to various places on the island:

It once was the Sand Spit, you know,

But labels like that have to go,

When realtors hover

They quickly discover

It sells more if called Point Monroe.

— Bob Leik

Full of references to locations all over the island, it calls to mind businesses that are no longer around and those that are ever constant in the tapestry of the island. Part of the fun of these limericks is their ability to take you around the island. Since they are about such specific locations, each limerick is accompanied by a small outline of the island bearing a star where the limerick takes place. Some of our community staples are included in the fun:

While shopping one day at Bay Hay,

We heard an old gentleman say,

“You must think I’m crazy,

To spend that for a daisy,”

Then his wife said, “It’s worth it. I’ll pay.”

— John Morrow

The truly wonderful thing about reading all these limericks is seeing the wide variety of names that I recognize and that felt impassioned enough to take pen to paper to write about their beloved home. While a limerick may not seem like a very long poem, it offered an ideal way for Bainbridge Island residents to share their love for the island, one bit at a time.

We are so grateful to each individual that took time to contribute to these contests back in 2008 through 2010, and we are so thankful that the book survived long enough to make it to the History Museum to preserve for the future. While I wish I could share every single limerick in this book, I will leave you with one final limerick, to help you remember the adoration of Bainbridge Island:

When Ole walked down Winslow Way,

He’d smile at Olga and say,

“Dis place really gets ja,

By golly, you betcha.

I just tink dat we’re here to stay.”

— Bob Leik

Many thanks to the Bainbridge History Museum Bainbridge History Museum

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