A limerick is a humorous poem consisting of five lines. The first, second, and fifth lines must have seven to ten syllables which rhyme and have the same verbal rhythm. The third and fourth lines should only have five to seven syllables; they too must rhyme with each other and have the same rhythm as each other. Here is an example:

A wonderful bird is the pelican,

His bill holds more than his belican.

He can take in his beak,

Enough food for a week,

But I'm damned if I see how the helican.

Dixon Lanier Merritt (often misattributed to Ogden Nash)

What if I don’t find much that is humorous in my Parkinsons life?

You can still write a five line poem which doesn’t need to follow the limerick “rules“ and perhaps doesn’t have the sing song effect of a limerick.

Why not think of a word connected with Parkinson's and try to come up with as many words as possible which rhyme with it?

Or you could list all your Parkinson's symptoms and pick one to write about.

Try brainstorming any positive or surprising impacts Parkinson's has had on your life. Could your poem be about one of these?

If you're a partner or supporter of someone with Parkinson's, think about what Parkinson's means to you. Brainstorm as many words or phrases as possible.

Check out a few examples below.

We want you to tell us what Parkinson's means to you. So your limerick or poem can be about any aspect of living with Parkinson's. For example, you could think about:

• stages of Parkinson's

• meeting others with Parkinson's

• a particular symptom or challenge

• any opportunities you've had because of Parkinson's

• your hopes for the future

• everyday life

These are just ideas!

Remember you can submit 2 poems so one could look at a positive aspect of life with Parkinson's and the other at a challenge.

Many thanks to attendees at our Cherry Hill Parkinson's cafe on Teesside for writing these great poems.

Parkinson's nights have hours to kill

Did I forget to take a pill?

Stand sit, Stand and sit,

Twirl around a little bit

FOR GOODNESS SAKE, KEEP STILL! JUST CHILL!

For retirement I'm enthusiastic

And I know Parky's pretty drastic,

but to wake Monday morning

and remember while I'm yawning

no work again! It's fantastic!

Saturday night and Strictly’s on telly

If I could dance I’d give it some welly

But my Parkinson’s shuffle

Has got me in a kerfuffle

And I’d end up like wobbly jelly

Read more Parkinson's Poems