|
How can you
pay homage to your Irish roots this St. Patrick’s Day? You
could wear green, try some corned beef and cabbage, toss
back a green pint, or even attend a parade in honor of the
patron saint of Ireland. But if you are feeling truly
creative this year, celebrate your Irish side by writing a
limerick!
A limerick is a short, witty poem of five lines that tells a
funny story. The three long lines (the triplet) must rhyme
with each other and the two shorter lines (the couplet) must
also rhyme with each other. Limericks follow an AABBA
rhyme scheme. For example:
There
once was a lady from Niger (A)
Who smiled as she rode on a tiger (A)
They came back from the ride (B)
With the lady inside (B)
And a smile on the face of the tiger. (A)
The meter of the triplet is eight or nine syllables while
the couplet ranges between five and six syllables.
The first line usually introduces a person and a location:
Ex.: There was an old man from Nantucket (9)
The second line presents the character’s situation:
Ex.: Who kept all his cash in a bucket (9)
The third and fourth lines reveal something dramatic or
ridiculous about the situation:
Ex.: His daughter, named Nan, (5)
Ex.: Ran off with a man, (5)
Finally, the last line adds the twist to the scenario:
Ex.: And as for the bucket, Nantucket. (9)
Though the origin of the word ‘limerick’ is unknown, it is
possible that this poetic form descended from nonsense
poetry that ended with “… come all the way up to Limerick,”
the Irish city.
Limericks are a fun way to honor your friends and coworkers.
Below are a some limericks written in the Academic Center.
There once was a
pirate named Katy,
Who was blimey with all the mateys.
Then one day, she flew into in a rage
And slaughtered the mage Paige.
Thereafter, she was a curs-ed lady.
-Dinah Crockett |
There once was a man
who sold cars
who met a strange creature from Mars
it pointed a finger
made the man a good singer
so now he sings medleys in bars.
-Nick Jobe |
| |
|
There once was a
bold tutor at work
Who tutored my paper with a smirk
It took all my command
Not to strangle the man
And I left and then I went berserk!
-Candice Chovanec Melzow |
We call her the
Grammar Queen you see.
A wisdom of words has she.
If you have a word tustle
To her office you hustle
Then straighten you out will she.
- Christy Esse |
| |
|
There once was a lad
who was hit in the head.
And all of his thoughts suddenly fled.
He discovered he was lost
without the poetry of Robert Frost.
And if his friends found out he would be dead.
-Summer Leibensperger |
There once was a
tutor named Trish
Who loved to eat knish.
She planned out a meal
And made a big deal
About her delicious knish dish.
-Dinah Crockett |
|