The Perpendicular Purple Polly

The Perpendicular Purple Polly,
who read the Newspaper and ate Parsnip Pie
with his Spectacles.

Edward Lear

Edward Lear was an English artist, musician, author, and poet famous for his literary nonsense and limericks. Born on May 12, 1812, in Holloway, England, Lear created a genre of literary nonsense that influenced many later English writers. He is best known for his work 'A Book of Nonsense' and 'The Owl and the Pussycat.' His whimsical style and imaginative use of language captivated both children and adults alike. Lear passed away on January 29, 1888.

Edward Lear

Book Of Nonsense Limerick 81.

Edward Lear, Simple Poetry

The Owl And The Pussy-Cat.

Edward Lear, Simple Poetry

Book Of Nonsense Limerick 23.

Edward Lear, Simple Poetry

English

Suggested Poems

Explore a curated selection of verses that share themes, styles, and emotional resonance with the poem you've just read.

The Enthusiastic Elephant,

The Enthusiastic Elephant,
who ferried himself across the water with the
Kitchen Poker and a New pair of Ear-rings.

Edward Lear

Calico Pie.



    I.

Calico pie,
The little birds fly
Down to the calico-tree:
Their wings were blue,
And they sang "Tilly-loo!"
Till away they flew;
And they never came back to me!
They never came back,
They never came back,
They never came back to me!


    II.

Calico jam,
The little Fish swam
Over the Syllabub Sea.
He took off his hat
To the Sole and the Sprat,
And the Willeby-wat:
But he never came back to me;
He never came back,
He never came back,
He never came back to me.




    III.

Calico ban,
The little Mice ran
To be ready in time for tea;
Flippity flup,
They drank it al...

Edward Lear

The Kicking Kangaroo

The Kicking Kangaroo,
who wore a Pale Pink Muslin dress
with Blue spots.

Edward Lear

Nonsense Alphabet 3

A



A was an ape,
Who stole some white tape,
And tied up his toes
In four beautiful bows.

a!

Funny old ape!


B



B was a bat,
Who slept all the day,
And fluttered about
When the sun went away.

b!

Brown little bat!


C



C was a camel:
You rode on his hump;
And if you fell off,
You came down such a bump!


c!

What a high camel!


D



D was a dove,
Who lived in a wood,
With such pretty soft wings,
And so gentle and good!

Edward Lear

The Lively Learned Lobster

The Lively Learned Lobster,
who mended his own Clothes with
a Needle and Thread.

Edward Lear

The Nutritious Newt

The Nutritious Newt,
who purchased a Round Plum-pudding
for his grand-daughter.

Edward Lear