How to Write a Limerick Poem in Easy Steps

A limerick is a funny or silly little poem with 5 lines in which lines one, two, and five rhyme, and lines three and four, which are shorter, rhyme. There is also a specific rhythm pattern as well. Lines one, two, and five have a rhythm pattern that sounds like this:

da DUM da da DUM da da DUM

The third and fourth lines have a rhythm pattern that sounds like this:

da DUM da da DUM

Putting Words to the Rhythm and Rhyme

Here's an example of a limerick with the rhythm shown.

The cat and the dog liked to play.
da DUM da da DUM da da DUM

Down on the farm by the hay
da DUM da da DUM da da DUM

The dog sneezed so loud
da DUM da da DUM

The cat touched a cloud
da DUM da da DUM

And hasn't been seen to this day.
da DUM da da DUM da da DUM

1. The elephant sat down over there
To wait for the mouse and the hare
He fell with a thud
Got stuck in the mud.
And caused all of the creatures to stare.

2. The beaver chopped down some wood.
Made a dam as only he could.
Said monkey, "See here",
I'm not one to cheer",
But your home is really quite good.

3. Two monkeys sat in a tree
eating bananas you see.
When a squirrel came round
he frightened them down.
Couldn't he just let them be?

4. An octopus floated right by,
Keeping his head to the sky.
As quick as you think,
he squirted his ink,
Now catch him no thing will try.

5. There once was a man named Bill
Who trudged every day up a hill.
Til one day he thought,
Well this is for nought.
And now he spends all day with Jill.

(Please request permission if you wish to reuse any of the poems in this article.)