Laughing Limericks - The Chicago Poetry Center

Laughing Limericks

This week at Shoesmith, students experimented with limericks, a humorous verse of three long and two short lines with an aabba rhyme scheme. Limericks first gained popularity in the 1800’s by British poet Edward Lear. Limericks usually puts characters in humorous situations that are resolved in unexpected ways. Together students read Lear’s limerick “There Was A Young Lady’s Whose Chin.” In the poem the young lady’s chin is as sharp as a pin, so she decides to sharpen it and buy herself a harp. Then plays several tunes with her chin. For each line Lear incorporated an 8/8/5/5/8 syllable count, to create a bouncy, musical rhythm.

Inspired by Edward Lear students wrote strange and hilarious limericks. Enjoy this week’s published poems.

Ms. Wesson's 5th Grade Group 1

Once There was a Rat and a Cat Yoshua G.

A brown rat got stuck in a trap.
That was filled up with sticky sap.
The cat clapped with joy.
The rat was annoyed.
Came loose and escaped from the trap.

My Umbrella Ariah M.

I walked home with my umbrella.
I saw a small dog named Bella.
Took her to the park.
She started to bark.
So, I sat and ate Nutella.

One Unlucky Day Elliot S.

Once on a bright and sunny day.
There was a young girl name of May.
She used every buck.
So, she had no luck.
No longer a beautiful day.

Ms. Wesson's 5th Grade Group 2

Ms. Wesson Went to A Small Zoo Eniya H.

Ms. Wesson went to a small zoo.
Saw a panda eat some bamboo.
She let out a scream.
Then ate some ice cream.
Sharing it with the panda too.

The Lady That Once Went Crazy Kenya L.

The Lady who once went crazy.
She was also very lazy.
She went to the store.
And she licked the floor.
Said it was so very tasty.

There Once Was A Young Man Who Cooked Zayla P.

There once was a young man who cooked
With just a marvelous cookbook.
So, he made it right.
He was so very bright.
Many people were very shook.

Ms. Henry's 6th Grade Group 1

There Once Was A Bear Named Bernard Brandon C.

There once was a bear named Bernard.
Who lived in Ms. Henry’s backyard.
She would scream and shout.
Tell him to get out.
But, he would just sit in her yard.

Fresh Old Harold Lena L.

Chicken is the absolute best.
Sometimes it will need some nice rest.
His name is Harold.
And he’s kinda old.
He acts like he’s still young and fresh.

Godzilla Skylar R.

Godzilla is very dark brown.
He acts like a silly big clown.
He can run for miles.
But, he never smiles.
The cities he always tears down.

Ms. Henry's 6th Grade Group 2

Johnny Is So Scared of a Ghost Jalen M.

Johnny is so scared of a ghost.
The ghost is friendlier than most.
The ghost cooks and cleans.
The ghost is not mean.
But, Johnny is still scared of ghosts.

John Exploded His Kitchen Ashanti P.

John exploded his kitchen sink.
All you hear from the sink is clinks.
He needs a plumber.
It’s such a bummer.
Now what are we going to drink?

There Once Was A Cheetah Named Bob Ryder T.

There once was a cheetah named Bob.
Who went to apply for a job.
He hoped to juggle.
It was a struggle.
To prove he was not just a flop.