Learn how to write a poem following this simple and fun format.

Writing poetry can be a a good way to get your feelings down on paper: all of those deep emotions and rich imagery. But if you’re just looking for something to pass a little time and make someone laugh, you might try a limerick. Learning how to write limericks is easier than you would think.

 

Limericks have been around for hundreds of years, and I guarantee you know the most famous one:

 

Hickory, dickory dock

The mouse ran up the clock

The clock struck one

The mouse ran down

Hickory, dickory dock

 

A limerick is a five line poem that follows a specific rhyming pattern and rhythm.They are usually funny and historically have been a little off-color. I’m sure we’ve all heard at least one version of There once was a man from Nantucket? .

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How to Write Limericks

 

• First, remember the rhyming pattern: AABBA. That means lines one, two and five rhyme with each other; lines three and four rhyme with each other.

 

• A lines have a rhythm like this: soft, hard, soft, soft, hard, soft, soft hard. There ONCE was a MAN from Per-U, Who NEED-ed to BUY some new SHOES?.

 

• B lines have a rhythm like this: soft, hard, soft, soft, hard. He WENT to the STORE, But THEY had no MORE?.

 

• It’s okay ? even expected ? to be completely silly.

Our Sample Limerick

 

There once was a man from Peru,

Who needed to buy some new shoes,

He went to the store,

But they had no more?

 

To finish it, we need another “A” line. How about?

 

So he stole some from his Uncle Lou.

 

Not exactly great art, but it’ll do. Ready to try your own?