Limerick Poetry

Limerick poems are playful and light-hearted five-line verses that often incorporate humor and wit. The traditional limerick has a distinct AABBA rhyme scheme, with the first, second, and fifth lines consisting of three metrical feet and the third and fourth lines containing two metrical feet.

These poems are known for their bouncy and rhythmic quality, contributing to their comedic effect. Limericks typically tell a brief and amusing story or present a witty observation.

They often feature puns, wordplay, or unexpected twists, and their brevity allows for a punchline-like delivery. Limerick poems are enjoyed for their cleverness and the sense of amusement they bring, making them a popular form of humorous and light-hearted entertainment.

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Hickory, dickory, dock

by Anonymous

‘Hickory, dickory, dock’ is a well-loved and incredibly popular nursery rhyme that dates to the 18th century. It is quite short, at only five lines, and describes a mouse running up a clock.

'Hickory, dickory, dock' is structured as a limerick. The poem uses five lines with a specific AABBA rhyme pattern, where the first, second, and fifth lines rhyme, and the third and fourth lines rhyme separately. This makes the poem rhythmic and playful, ideal for young children. The limerick form gives the poem its bouncy, memorable quality, making it easy and fun to recite.

Hickory, dickory, dock,

The mouse ran up the clock;

The clock struck one,

And down he run,

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There was an Old Man of St. Bees

by William Schwenck Gilbert

‘There was an Old Man of St. Bees’ is a famous limerick about a comically ironic reaction to being stung by a wasp.

The poem is a parody of a traditional limerick, as it breaks key conventions while still maintaining its essence as humorously irreverent. One of the ways it does this is by lacking the expected rhyme scheme, causing the poem's rhythm to feel slightly off, adding to the irony within. This playful distortion of form highlights Gilbert's attempts to subvert the form while retaining its charming comedy.

There was an Old Man of St. Bees

Who was stung in the arm by a wasp.

When asked, "Does it hurt?"

He replied, "No, it doesn't,

But I thought all the while 'twas a hornet."

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Limerick Poetry

Hickory, dickory, dock

by Anonymous

There was an Old Man of St. Bees

by William Schwenck Gilbert

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