Limerick Poems
The limerick is poetry's class clown — a five-line form with a bouncy rhythm and a punchline built right into its structure. Known for wit, wordplay, and irreverent humor, limericks prove that poetry doesn't always have to be serious to be skillful.
Structure & Rules
Five lines with an AABBA rhyme scheme. Lines 1, 2, and 5 have 7-10 syllables (anapestic trimeter). Lines 3 and 4 have 5-7 syllables (anapestic dimeter). The final line delivers the punchline.
How to Write a Limerick
Start with a character and a place for line 1 ('There once was a man from....'). Lines 2 and 5 rhyme with line 1. Lines 3 and 4 rhyme with each other and are shorter. The last line should surprise — a twist, a pun, or an absurd conclusion.