Popularized by Edward Lear in the mid-19th century, the limerick is a five-line poem made up of a triplet split by a couplet. Lines 1, 2, and 5 are a bit longer and rhyme, while the shorter lines of 3 and 4 rhyme. The syllabic norm is about 8-10 syllables in the longer lines and around 6 syllables in the shorter lines.
Patricia Franz writes picture books and poetry. She believes children, dogs, and sourdough have a lot to teach us about life, joy, and wonder. She has raised two boys, four dogs, and holds a master’s degree in Theology with a focus on children’s spirituality. Patricia, her husband, her Bernese Mountain dog, Bonny, and her sourdough starter split their time between the Arizona desert and the Sierra Nevada mountains. 