Limerick Poems: Definition and Examples

Limericks are humorous poems consisting of one verse or stanza. The stanza is made up of five lines. The first, second and fifth lines rhyme with each other different from third and fourth lines which rhyme together. The third and fourth lines are usually shorter than the first, second and fifth lines.

I am not an expert in composing limerick poems. The first time I wrote limerick poems is when I participated in a limerick poem competition, last year (2017). I learned everything I could in less than two weeks and composed four rhymes.

Like other types of poems such as sonnet, limerick poem has its rules which governs how this type of poem is supposed to be composed. Remember, limerick poems aren’t serious, that is, it does not dwell on serious issues.

Below are the four limericks I composed during the contest, though sadly, I was never near to winning any of the top three slots. Anyhow, it was a fun experience composing them.

1.

                                           BRANDO FROM AFRICA

She roamed in Rome searching for Patrica

When she stumbled on Brando from Africa

A fuddy-duddies noble

Who mused at fable

As his story was made of práctica

2.

                                     THE LADY FROM SRICELY

There was a young lady from Sricely

Who tallied sums and words so nicely

Whenever she finished

She would be over-furnished

With kisses and hugs from Teddy the Wisely.

3.

                                     MY PECULIAR PARENTS

My mama glared funnily at Drema

While my daddy grinned sheepishly at mama

As Drema stared awfully at daddy

I eagle eyed daddy

For my trouser was muggy as tsamma

4.

                                          THE FLANEUR

If you always Chihuahua on Mondays

You flatline on every tre-Wednesdays

You hunt antelopes smoothly

Then ingurgitate cooly

Why treat Thursdays and Fridays as downplays