Limericks, like sonnets, are lyrical poems. They’re fun, they rhyme, and their musical. In fact, they depend on rhythm to give them their musical/sing-song quality. Sonnets also have “rules” about rhythm, but I’m not always strict with keeping it. Since one reason for taking up April’s challenge is to force myself to study form, I will concentrate on rhythm for a few days.
I found this to describe the Anapaest meter of limerick. In a nutshell, anapaest consists of three syllables. The first two are unstressed and the last one is stressed.
- Line 1: Eight – nine syllables (da DUM da da DUM da da DUM)
- Line 2: Eight – nine syllables (da DUM da da DUM da da DUM)
- Line 3: Five – six syllables (da DUM da da DUM)
- Line 4: Five – six syllables (da DUM da da DUM)
- Line 5: Eight – nine syllables (da DUM da da DUM da da DUM)
Limericks usually have five lines with a simple AABBA rhyme scheme.
Limericks are a closed form: which means we to follow the rules. A challenge? Yes. Fun? Yes. Try one.
Today’s NaPoWriMo prompt: Write a poem based on an image in a dream.
Dragons fly from among the clouds As all around we gather in crowds Sleeping soon, rest to none And in the moment fun The flames will not rest us in our shrouds I’m including a second that I’ve written where I’ve moved away from the strict form. Resolutions timely made Honesty not strictly weighed Past one slips Another trips And the year is not stayed
