Limericks

A limerick is a humorous/silly poem consisting of five lines. The first, second, and fifth lines must have seven to ten syllables while rhyming and having the same verbal rhythm. The third and fourth lines only have to have five to seven syllables, and have to rhyme with each other and have the same rhythm.

    Limericks are often funny or nonsensical. They were made famous by Edward Lear, a famous author who wrote the "Book of Nonsense" in the 1800's. This was an entire book of silly limericks.

There is a young lady of Ealing

Who has a peculiar feeling

      That she is a fly

      And why not try

To walk upside down on the ceiling?

There was an old man from Peru

who dreamed he was eating his shoe.

      He awoke one dark night

      from a terrible fright

to discover his dream had come true!

“A wonderful bird is the pelican,

His bill can hold more than his beli-can.

      He can take in his beak

      Food enough for a week

But I’m damned if I see how the heli-can.”