Happy Limerick Day

Today, May 12, is Limerick Day, in honor of the birth of Edward Lear, the man who popularized the limerick poem with his own self-illustrated collection, the Book of Nonsense (1846).

Limericks consist of five anapaestic lines.Lines 1, 2, and 5 of Limericks have seven to ten syllables and rhyme with one another. Lines 3 and 4 of Limericks have five to seven syllables and also rhyme with each other.

In honor of Limerick Day, wouldn't it be fun to speak in rhyme? Or just search for some fun limericks to share with friends. Here's one to get you started:

Roses can sometimes be red

And violets are generally blue

For it's not in the rhyming

But all in the timing

That makes a dumb Limerick true

Happy Limerick Day!