Limericks about Sicily

Unless you’re philosophically opposed to radiant sunshine and epicurean cuisine, chances are you’d love spending a few days or a few months in Sicily. I recently returned from a short trip to this jewel of the Mediterranean, where I ate like a king, improved my tan like a Bronze Age hero, and scribbled limericks like a wandering minstrel.

Sicily’s central location made it a hub of commerce, philosophy and science in the ancient times. Before it was absorbed by the Roman empire, Syracuse was a cosmopolitan harbor city, home of Archimedes the renowned mathematician and inventor, and the temporary residence Plato who wrote some of his most important dialogues here. Further north, the city of Catania literally rose out of the sea in a series of prehistoric eruptions of Mt Etna, and today boasts a profusion of baroque monuments flanked by a staggering assortment pizzerias and gelaterrias. Elsewhere on the island, they offer “Godfather” tours, yet the legacy of the mob is indiscernible to the casual visitor.

Sicilian Limericks

Surrounded by temples and crosses
I’m destined to sample some sauces
And extra-thick crust
But who can you trust
On an island of criminal bosses?

There’s a town of baroque and basalt
Where pasta’s the standard default
And pistachio bases
Are served in most places
As well as high levels of salt

There’s a landmark the visitor seeks
In a theater built by the Greeks
With a well-trodden stage
From a glorious age
Whence Apollo the powerful speaks

Greek Theater Taormina Sicily — The Greek Theater in Taormina, Sicily, overlooks the sparkling Ionian Sea. (Photo by the King of Limericks)

Archimedes of Syracuse
There’s a scholar whose circles were true
Their circumference is pi R times two
And to prove he was clever
He showed off his lever
And turned a few tricks with a screw

(To learn more about the mind-blowing achievents of this pioneering polymath, check out my short video.)

In Catania’s most touristy section
I imbibed limoncello perfection
And lounged in a daze
As the sun’s golden rays
Were enriching my olive complexion