Book Of Nonsense Limerick 111.

By Edward Lear

Limerick
    There was an Old Man, on whose nose,     Most birds of the air could repose;     But they all flew away,     At the closing of day,     Which relieved that Old Man and his nose.

Share & Analyze This Poem

Spread the beauty of poetry or dive deeper into analysis

Analyze This Poem

Discover the literary devices, structure, and deeper meaning

Create Image

Transform this poem into a beautiful shareable image

Copy to Clipboard

Save this poem for personal use or sharing offline

Share the Love of Poetry
More Poems
More Limericks
Daily Poem

Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This tongue-in-cheek poem presents a wry observation on the peculiar relationship between an old man and the birds that inhabit his nose. The speaker's narrative is characterized by a deadpan humor, as the old man's remarkable feature is both a blessing and a curse. The birds, seemingly drawn to the old man's nose, are forced to vacate their perch at the end of the day, thereby relieving the old man of his unusual burden. The poem's use of understatement and absurdity creates a sense of irony, highlighting the unexpected consequences of the old man's unique characteristic. The final line, which suggests that the old man's nose is both a source of comfort and a source of inconvenience, underscores the poem's themes of paradox and the human condition. A precise observation is that the poem's humor lies not in the absurdity of the situation, but in the matter-of-fact way it is presented, rendering the ridiculous ordinary.

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.