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Check Out My (Lack of?) Poetry Skills!

It’s National Limerick Day! Celebrated every May 12th in honour of English poet, author, artist and illustrator, Edward Lear. Mr. Lear was born on this date in 1812 and is credited with popularizing the limerick.

A limerick has some strict rules. It’s a five-line poem where the first, second, and fifth line rhyme, and have 8-9 syllables, and the third and fourth line rhyme with each other, and have 5-6 syllables.

Here’s an example by Edward Lear himself, (thanks to National Day Calendar for the info!)

THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY

There was a Young Lady whose chin
Resembled the point of a pin;
So she had it made sharp, and purchased a harp,
And played several tunes with her chin.

I decided to give it a shot myself. Check it out below. Before giving your feedback, I have to say … I know it, I’m not much of a poet.

  • Originally from southern Ontario, Jason found his way here and fell in love with the community and music scene of Thunder Bay over twenty years ago. In between various stints on radio, television and writing, Jason is a dad, a partner and (some would consider) a zoo keeper (seriously, he has a LOT of pets).

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