Happy National Limerick Day! Observed annually on May 12, today celebrates the birthday of English artist, illustrator, musician, author and poet, Edward Lear (May 12, 1812 – Jan. 29, 1888).
Lear was also known mostly for his literary nonsense in poetry, prose, and limericks.
The day also celebrates the limerick poem. Limerick poems were popularized by Lear’s 1846 poetry book A Book of Nonsense.
A limerick is a very short, humorous, nonsense poem. Within a limerick, there are five lines. The first two lines rhyme with the fifth line and the third and fourth line rhyme together.
The limerick also has a particular rhythm which is officially described as anapestic trimeter.
THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY
By Edward Lear
"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."
While Lear is credited with popularizing the limerick, the poetry style existed long before the publication of his book.
Even so, the limerick celebrates fun turns of phrase, rhythm, and humor in short form. It also plays with words and peoples’ expectations.
On August 22, 2019, the Bring Your Limericks to Limerick international poetry competition took place on a Saturday night at Dolans Music Venue, Limerick, Ireland.
The unanimous winner that year was New York-born Dublin academic and native Sarah Moore Fitzgerald.
Ironically living in the vicinity of Limerick, she walked away that evening with the first prize of €500 ($613.32).
Ironically living in the vicinity of Limerick, she walked away that evening with the first prize of €500 ($613.32).
Her winning limerick went as follows:
“While I fancy myself as a bard
Reciting a limerick is hard
This poem’s a mouthful
My talent so doubtful
HOW TO OBSERVE
Enter a limerick contest with a poem of your own. Read and share your favorite limericks using #NationalLimerickDay to post on social media.
If you don’t have a favorite, try reading the 2011 puzzle book Looney Limericks, compiled by American author of satires Frank Jacobs.
HISTORY
Within their research, National Day Calendar® was unable to find the creator of this poetry day. However, the day has been observed since at least 1984.
Do you think that you can write a limerick of your own today?
#NationalLimerickDay
#WriteYourOwn
@limerickcompetition
@nichecinema
Relevant Observances
• National Poetry Day – United Kingdom and Ireland
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