Limericks
There was an old man with a hat.
The hat had a hole for a bat.
When the bat flew away,
The man cried, “Please stay!”
How I hate to wear a cold hat.”
There was an old man with a slug.
He wanted to give it a hug.
The slug cried, “Oh no!
You must let me go!
Your hugs are too snug for a slug.”
There once was a boy with a frog.
What he’d wanted to get was a dog.
The boy ordered, “Sit!”
The frog had a fit,
And burped, “First, you must get me a log!”
(c) 2013 Elizabeth Steinglass, all rights reserved
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Oh my poor family, for I have dedicated this week to the limerick. Once I started, I found it nearly impossible to stop. I can still hear the anapests galloping in my head. As you probably know, a limerick is a five-line poem in which the first, second, and fifth lines rhyme and use the following pattern of accents—da DUM, da da DUM, da da DUM. Lines three and four also rhyme and follow this pattern of accents—da DUM, da da DUM. (Alternatively, lines three and four can be combined into one line with an internal rhyme, which is how Edward Lear wrote them.) In some limericks the last word of the last line repeats the last word in either line one or line two. Though traditional, this repetition seems to offend some of today’s readers.
My favorite limerick is from Edward Lear’s Book of Nonsense:
There was an Old Man with a beard
Who said, “It is just as I feared!–
Two Owls and a Hen,
Four Larks and a Wren,
Have all built their nests in my beard!”
To me this poem seems a perfect example of the kind of innocent silliness kids (and grown-ups) enjoy. But as a poet, what I really admire is Lear’s simple language and what appears to be an effortless use of the form. After a week of writing limericks, I’m guessing that what seems effortless is actually the result of great effort, great talent, and good fortune. Compared to the example above, many limericks act like contortionists, twisting themselves uncomfortably to fit the form. It’s the rare limerick that glides across the tightrope with grace and ease.
For more information about the limerick, visit Poets.org.
For more Poetry Friday, visit Julie Larios at The Drift Record.
(c) 2013, Elizabeth Steinglass
Wonderful description of limericks, Liz, and I love these fun ones you’ve chosen to share from the Master. I’ve had limericks bouncing around in my head, too… I guess it happens every March? But I haven’t been inflicting them on my family. Great idea… ;0)
Robyn,
I’m so honored. I wrote those first three!
I think limericks are going around as an antidote to long winters, but I think that isn’t what you had in mind.
Happy Poetry Friday!
Liz
Liz, I LOVE your limericks! These are an addictive (and tough) form to create, but you hit the mark today. I love the third one – I can hear the frog croaking that command. (And I begged my mother to buy me Edward Lear’s book of limericks way back in the day – she thought they were “too old” for me, but I loved the rhythm and rhyme). Thanks for the smile today (at your family’s expense 😉
The second one is my favorite! Keep going 🙂
I think that’s my favorite too. I like all three rhymes in one line.
My son was looking over my shoulder and reading the limericks. He loved the Lear limerick so much that I put the Book of Nonsense on his kindle and he’s reading it right now and giggling. THANK YOU!
Yay! I especially love the giggling.
Lots of fun, Liz. I think your old man should find employment as an animal caretaker.
I LOVE the galloping anapests. Great work!
I LOVE the galloping anapests! Great work!
Hahahaha. The frog limerick was one of the best limericks I’ve ever read! It had me giggling. Great job, Elizabeth! The slug one was also pretty nice. 🙂
Cheers,
Gloson
Thanks! I’m glad you stopped by. I look forward to reading your poetry too.
Great limericks! The one about the frog had me giggling away. You should write more. 😉