Thread: Make sense of this, I don't totally get it.

Let me humbly proffer my translation ))

Once there was a milliner 
Whose stitches were adored. 
But one day she took to Nevsky
And became a wh...

Nevsky is short for Nevsky Prospekt (Nevsky Avenue) in the city of St.Petersburg, which is the main thoroughfare in the city lying on the Neva river and pierced by innumerable canals, hence the name 'Nevsky'. 

Thank you so much. This is from a book I'm reading about St. Petersburg. I spent a couple weeks there this summer and in order to make the experience last I found several in-depth books about theplace. I believe I am seeing a plethora of short ditties like this, so I'm starting to conclude they are like our "There once was a girl from Nantucket...." rhymes which get recycled and reformulated.
You have a poetic talent I see,
thanks again