A limerick is a short, humorous poem consisting of five lines. It follows a specific rhyming scheme (AABBA) and a distinctive rhythm pattern.
The first, second, and fifth lines contain three stressed syllables followed by three unstressed syllables, while the third and fourth lines have two stressed syllables followed by two unstressed syllables.
Limericks often employ witty or absurd themes, and their playful structure lends itself to creative wordplay and unexpected punchlines. These whimsical poems have entertained readers for generations, delivering a blend of cleverness, rhythm, and brevity that captures the essence of light-hearted amusement.
3 examples of limerick poems
There was an Old Man with a Beard
Whose actions were strange and weird
He sat on a chair
Eating soup with a fork and a pair
That doubtful Old Man with a Beard.
Author: Edward Lear
There was an Old Man in a Tree,
Who was horribly bored by a bee;
When they said, “Does it buzz?”
He replied, “Yes, it does!
It’s a regular brute of a bee!”
Author: Edward Lear
There once was a man from Peru
Who dreamed he was eating his shoe
He awoke with a fright
In the middle of the night
To find that his dream had come true!
Author: Unknown