ZoneofNo Image Manipulation

Limericks

What is a limerick, anyway?

According to AI

A limerick is a five-line poem with an AABBA rhyme scheme. It's usually humorous and tells a short, clever story or description.

Characteristics of Limericks

 » Structure: A limerick is a single stanza with five lines.
 » Rhyme scheme: The rhyme scheme for a limerick is AABBA.
 » Subject: The subject of a limerick is usually a short, clever story or description.
 » Tone: Most limericks are humorous, but some can be crude.

The limerick, first made popular by Edward Lear in his "A Book of Nonsense" published in 1846. Lear wrote 212 limericks, mostly considered nonsense literature.

How do you write a limerick poem?

---

Glad you asked!

Limerick Creation Steps

 » Step 1: Pick a theme for your limerick poem, one that tells a funny story.
 » Step 2: Follow the AABBA structure, meaning you’ll need five lines of copy.
 » Step 3: The 1st, 2nd, & 5th lines have 8 or 9 syllables. Lines 3 & 4 have 5 or 6 syllables.
 » Step 4: Pick an opening line that will help you set up a story, and make sure the last word rhymes.
 » Step 5: Give that last line a twist!

---

Limerick Examples

There was an old man of Nantucket
Who kept all his cash in a bucket;
But his daughter, named Nan,
Ran away with a man,
And as for the bucket, Nantucket.

God’s plan made a hopeful beginning.
But man spoiled his chances by sinning.
We trust that the story
Will end in God’s glory,
But at present the other side’s winning.

I’d rather have fingers than toes;
I’d rather have ears than a nose;
And as for my hair,
I’m glad that it’s there,
I’ll be awfully sad when it goes.