Limericks British poet Edward Lear ( ) is most widely recognized as the father of the limerick form of poetry and is well known for his nonsense poems. Limericks aren't Irish (Edward Lear was English) -- but there is a Limerick county in Ireland. In this lesson, you will learn the form of the limerick poem, practice finding the rhythm and rhyme schemes in various limericks, and write your own limericks.

What is a limerick? A limerick is a poem of five lines. The first, second, and fifth lines have three rhythmic beats and rhyme with one another. The third and fourth lines have two beats and rhyme with one another. So, the rhyme scheme is AABBA They are always light-hearted, humorous poems.

Limericks There once was a man with no hair. He gave everyone quite a scare. He got some Rogaine, Grew out a mane, And now he resembles a bear!

Limerick About a Bee I wish that my room had a floor, I don’t care so much for a door. But this walking around Without touching the ground Is getting to be quite a bore.

Another Limerick There once was a very small mouse Who lived in a very small house, The ocean’s spray Washed it away, All that was left was her blouse!

One more example: I sat next the Duchess at tea. It was just as I feared it would be: Her rumblings abdominal Were simply abominable And everyone thought they were me!

Limericks Quick Practice: There once was a pauper named Meg Who accidentally broke her______. She slipped on the _____. Not once, but thrice Take no pity on her, I _______. (Can you guess what words go in the blanks?)

Limericks Quick Practice: There once was a pauper named Meg Who accidentally broke her leg. She slipped on the ice. Not once, but thrice Take no pity on her, I beg.

Another practice limerick: There was a young lady named Sue, Who could not locate her left ______; On one foot she ______. She had to be _______. Her right foot became black and ____________. (Can you guess what words go in the blanks?)

Another practice limerick: There was a young lady named Sue, Who could not locate her left shoe; On one foot she hopped. She had to be stopped. Her right foot became black and blue.

You will create a limerick similar to this one… There once was a man from Beijing. All his life he hoped to be King. So he put on a crown, Which quickly fell down. That small silly man from Beijing.

Fill in the blanks and create your own limerick. There once was a _____ from _____. All the while she/he hoped ________. So she/he ____________________, And ________________________, That _________ from ___________.