Poetry is not always known for being funny. It’s typically a powerful medium for introspection, reflection, and exploring complex themes such as love, loss, mortality, and existentialism. When employed with skill, however, humor can bring a lighthearted touch to the often-serious world of verse. It serves as a breath of fresh air, engaging the audience in surprising and unexpected ways.
One poet famous for his witty wordplay and clever rhymes was Ogden Nash: His humorous verses, often involving animals, continue to spark joy among readers. Shel Silverstein similarly captivated audiences with imaginative and comical poems such as “Sick.” These poets, among many others, showcase the power of humor to entertain, challenge convention, and convey profound messages in a playful way.
Here are nine funny poetic lines to help us all remember to appreciate the lighter side of life.
Bloody men are like bloody buses — / You wait for about a year / And as soon as one approaches your stop /Two or three others appear.Wendy Cope, “Bloody Men”
The cow is of the bovine ilk; / One end is moo, the other, milk.Ogden Nash, “The Cow”
“I cannot go to school today,” / Said little Peggy Ann McKay … / “What’s that? What’s that you say? / You say today is … Saturday? / G'bye, I'm going out to play!”Shel Silverstein, “Sick”
Men seldom make passes / At girls who wear glasses.Dorothy Parker, “News Item”
’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves / Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: / All mimsy were the borogoves, / And the mome raths outgrabe.Lewis Carroll, “Jabberwocky”
And when the great World War began, / To volunteer John promptly ran; / And while he learned live bombs to lob, / James stayed at home and — sneaked his job.Robert W. Service, “The Twins”
For there's something in the air / Down here in Greenwich Village / That makes a fellow feel he doesn't care: / And as soon as he is in it, he / Gets hold of an affinity / Who's long on modern / Art but short on hair.P.G. Wodehouse, “Greenwich Village”
And paradise, as we all know, may be paradise when we’re dead, / But is boredom on earth, alas.David Lehman, “Ode”
One bright morning in a restaurant in Chicago / as I waited for my eggs and toast, / I opened the “Tribune” only to discover / that I was the same age as Cheerios.Billy Collins, “Cheerios”
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