First Annual St. Patrick’s Day Poetry Slam “No Shenanigans” Limericks Live!

On Thursday, March 17th during lunch, the Storytellers Club hosted a Live Limerick poetry slam. Students and Staff participated by reciting theirs, and others’, original writing in the form of the LIMERICK. The theme of the event was “Gilbert stories” so each limerick told a student’s story or the Gilbert story. Limericks are playful Irish poems, and this St. Patrick’s Day proved to highlight the bright spots (THEME) of our fabulous Gilbert High School family, campus, and community.

In preparation, Guidelines of writing the limerick were sent to all staff and shared with English students. Limericks all follow the same structure and pattern which sets them apart from other poetic forms and makes them easily identifiable.

1. A limerick consists of five lines arranged in one stanza.
2. The first line, second line, and fifth lines end in rhyming words. (same sound)
3. The third and fourth lines must rhyme. (different sound from lines 1, 2, 5)
4. The rhythm of a limerick is anapestic, which means two unstressed syllables are followed by a third stressed syllable
5. The first, second, and final line each have three anapests—da dum da da dum da da dum.
6. The third and fourth lines have two anapests-—da dum da da dum.

Limericks must tell a story. When you hear limericks, you’ll notice that they have a narrative arc, complete with a main character, plot, and resolution. Limericks are meant to be read aloud. They should be humorous, poignant, and true. Here are a few limericks from the St. Patrick’s Day event at Gilbert High School:

Ms. Katrina’s poem ~

There once was a High School called Gilbert.

Most students who went there had been hurt.

But staff loved them so hard

And believed they’d go far

And one day they all came to know their worth. 

 Zena’s poem ~

There once was a girl named Zena

She had a great fear of hyenas

She was born in June.

 She loved the moon

And her favorite place is the arena

Ms. Fagu’s poem ~

There once was a teacher named Fagu.

Her favorite spaghetti sauce was Ragu.

She worked at Gilbert High.

Where students reach for the sky.

At Gilbert, we are happy to have you!

Aliyah’s poem ~

There was once was a girl named Aliyah

She got pregnant and she got an idea

To name her daughter Arabella

She called her “my Cinderella” 

She is and always will be her Estrella

David’s poem ~

There once was a boy named David 

He was a kid who grew up teachers hated

It didn’t bother him anyway 

Now times have changed 

All those cranky teachers have aged 

The Storytellers Club, formerly known as the Poetry Club, is proud to have hosted this live Limerick reading event. They hope that more students and staff will be creative, write their truths, and share their writing with the world out loud. If you are interested in joining the Storytellers Club, they meet at lunch on Thursdays in Room 12.