The Limerick - A Simple Introduction

A limerick is a much easier and shorter poem than some of the more complicated poetry styles you may have come across.

It does have a strict form, but is fun and quite easy to follow – The nonsensical, ridiculous and rhythmical storytelling of a limerick never fails to amuse me.

The limerick follows a rhythmic pattern of something called the anapaestic, but all you really need to feel is the beat. Look at the line below, you can see where the beat is in capitals.

Line 1) I ONCE went TO a barBEcue (3 beats)

Line 3) But SHE got blind DRUNK (2 beats)

Here is a list of expectations for a limerick and my example.

Must be five lines long and consecutive (The stanza)

The first, second and fifth line should rhyme and have a beat of three

The third and fourth should rhyme and have a beat of two

The first, second and fifth line should have 8/9 syllables

The third and fourth should have 5–6 syllables

It’s got to be goofy, the more ridiculous the better, but make sure it tells some kind of story

Here is my example … I apologise for the ridiculousness in advance.

I once went to a barbecue

Invited by my neighbour, Sue

But she got blind drunk

Then called me a hunk

And mounted me like buckaroo!

I love a good limerick! Try it and see what you think. I hope you have a go and enjoy doing so!