Limericks : The Unexplored Potential

The Limerick: Defined

What is a limerick? Like other  distinguished members of its tribe, a” limerick” is a poem which has to have a structure consisting of 5 lines. Of these, there are two sets which rhyme.  Firstly. 1st, 2nd and 5th and Secondly, the 3rd and 4th. If we name the 5 lines as 1,2,3,4 and 5, then not only do the two  parts which are 1,2,5  and 3,4, have to rhyme but the meter also has to be similar. It is however not necessary that the meters of the two groups match and usually, we see that lines 3 & 4 are shorter in meter then the lines 1,2 or 5.

The Limerick: Initial History

Although it is unknown who invented the limerick, it gained popularity in the 19th Century through Edward Lear. Lear first brought limericks  into the limelight when he published limericks promoting them as ‘nonsense  verse’ through two books which were (an still are) very popular with children. But, with the classification of the limerick as “kid stuff”-poets and other famous personalities in his time ,did not think very much of them. Among the English romantic poets, Keats, Shelly, Byron et al , never wrote limericks as to the best of knowledge of this writer.

 A typical example of an Edward Lear limerick is under

The Owl and the Pussy Cat                            

The owl and the Pussy Cat went to the sea,

In a beautiful pea green boat

They took some money,

And plenty of honey,

All wrapped up in a five-pound note

 .

(Limerick courtesy: Edward Lear)

As is evident, the form of the limerick can be clearly seen here, in both the rhyming and the meter. The self- composed limerick below may however be a better example

The Girl called Prim

There was this young girl called in a prim                               

Whose complexion was all ‘roses and cream’

When asked her secret one day”

She said” And (hic!) why not ,pray?”

‘I always fill my beer mug to the brim’!!

This concludes the first part of this essay on ” The limerick”. The concluding part to follow  soon.