What is a Limerick?

The limerick is a form of poem that has intrigued me since I was very young. I was first introduced to the form in1982 in a third grade class at Garrison Elementary School, Lewis County, Kentucky, USA. My teacher, Ms. Skaggs, gave our class an assignment to write a limerick. I wrote several limericks that day, which I have since lost; though I never did lose my fascination with the humorous form of poetry known as the Limerick.

I have included my own work in this compilation, as well as that of other poets. Where possible I have given credit to the authors, though in some cases the author is unknown.

Many limericks are created anonymously for the sole reason that the author does not wish to be connected with the creation. This is also understandable, and has been respected. I have placed my name on the poems which I have written, for I am not so concerned, as to be ashamed of what others may see as a lapse of good sense. I have never been accused of having good sense; it would be a compliment to hear the reverse, which would imply that I was in a place from which such a lapse were possible!

It was my intent at first, to compile a collection of poems which excluded the raunchy, ribald limericks which have led to the aforementioned denigration of the reputation of the Limerick form as true poetry. I realized, however, that to do so would do a disservice to one branch of the historical root of this poetic form.

Many limericks are base in their nature, and to exclude such could be taken as an attempt to censor, and thus misrepresent a portion of the history of the Limerick.

Instead of excluding the “dirty” Limerick, I have devoted a chapter which contains some of the more Ribald versions of the poetic form. It is possible that some of the limericks contained within this work may offend, so if this may apply to you, I would simply ask that you do not read Chapter thirteen.

For those that may want to do what I could not, I give license to anyone that so chooses, to avail themselves of their freewill to censure the last chapter of this book, by removing those pages. If you so choose, please add your name to the list of editors, on the title page, and supply me with your name, so that you may be properly given credit in future printings of this book, if there are any.

There is a brief outline of my intent at the beginning of each chapter, so I will not give a detailed explanation here in the introduction.

There are also some other poems, which are not limerick in form, included a chapter with my original poetry. This poetry is merely an outlet for my personal feelings, and now I have chosen to share these with anyone who wishes to read them.

I have also included a Bonus Section after the last chapter of my book. In the Bonus Section, you will find the limericks of Edward Lear, as they appeared in the first edition of his book, “The Book of Nonsense” which was published by Thomas McLean on 10 February 1846.