Skeltonic Verse

Invented by John Skelton, Skeltonic Verse is a fun poem with short lines, rhymes, rhythms, and alliterations. 

• Lines are short with two or three stresses (most preferably, lines that do not exceed 7 syllables)

• With irregular rhymes

• Smooth rhythms

• Alliterations thrown here and there

James VI called skeltonics "tumbling verse," because of how it tumbles down the page. Often humorous, there are no specific rules for subject, tone, or length.

Remember

• Considering all the above-mentioned rules, write a Skeltonic Verse in any topic as long as it is quite humorous. We need more laughter than frowns, you see.
• For this event, we’d like to read a one-stanza, 16- to 20-line masterpiece. 

Click here for submission guidelines and rules.

Submission deadline: January 20, 2026

Results: January 27, 2026

***