Limerick Poems

“Bounce, rhyme, and a wink—five lines built for punch.”

TitleAuthorType of Poem
Song From 'The Princess'Robert Fuller MurrayLimerick
Surgeons Must Be Very CarefulEmily Elizabeth DickinsonLimerick
The BandogWalter De La MareLimerick
The Barber'sWalter De La MareLimerick
The Best TimesJames Whitcomb RileyLimerick
The BoasterWalter CraneLimerick
The Hasty Higgeldipiggledy HenEdward LearLimerick
The Kicking KangarooEdward LearLimerick
The Little Town O' TailholtJames Whitcomb RileyLimerick
The Miser & His GoldWalter CraneLimerick

Understanding Limerick

A limerick is a five-line poem known for its jaunty rhythm, playful tone, and a punchline twist. It’s built for humor—often sly, sometimes downright silly.

Common characteristics of limericks:

  • Five Lines & Rhyme: The standard scheme is AABBA—the first, second, and fifth lines rhyme; the shorter third and fourth lines rhyme with each other.
  • Bouncy Meter: Typically anapestic (two short, one long beat). Lines 1, 2, and 5 are longer; lines 3 and 4 are shorter.
  • Tone & Humor: Lighthearted, mischievous, and built around a final gag or reversal.
  • Subject & Setup: Often starts with “There once was a … from …,” setting place and character before the comic turn.
  • Sound Play: Internal rhyme, alliteration, and rhythmic snap heighten the joke’s delivery.

The best limericks land like a good toast: quick, musical, and clinched by a memorable last line.