Are you serious about poetry?

[Fearful Symmetry]

It's seriously hard to be serious with limericks -- they always sound like a joke.

So true, so true, but I think there’s a difference between taking something seriously and a serious sounding result.

I am in agreement. I was trying to make a joke. It's probably best for everyone if I stick to taking things seriously 

I picked up what you were putting down   

And to celebrate:

A limerick may not be the answer
To inspire the sombrous dancer,
But here’s one that’s sad,
With news that is bad —
This limerick has given you cancer.