Funny poems offer a delightful escape, a chuckle, and a moment of lightheartedness. From whimsical wordplay to comical scenarios, these bite-sized pieces of poetry can perk up even the dreariest day. This article explores a few examples of Funny And Short Poems, showcasing their unique charm and ability to bring a smile to your face.
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Witty Banter and Wordplay
Lewis Carroll, famed author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, masterfully crafts humorous verse. “Phantasmagoria” presents a playful dialogue between a narrator and a ghost.
“And as to being in a fright,
Allow me to remark
That Ghosts have just as good a right
In every way, to fear the light,
As Men to fear the dark.”
“No plea,” said I, “can well excuse
Such cowardice in you:
For Ghosts can visit when they choose,
Whereas we Humans ca’n’t refuse
To grant the interview.”The poem’s humor lies in its witty banter and the inversion of typical ghost story tropes. The ghost’s fear of the light, mirroring human fear of the dark, creates a comical twist.
A ghostly figure lurking in the shadows.
The poem continues with the ghost’s explanation for his visit, further enhancing the humorous exchange. Carroll’s clever wordplay and lighthearted tone make “Phantasmagoria” a perfect example of a funny and short poem. Read the full poem here.
The Power of Monosyllables
Laura E. Richards’s “Monosyllabics” demonstrates the humor that can be achieved through a constrained writing style. Each word in the poem is a single syllable, creating a unique rhythm and emphasizing the silliness of the situations described.
The black cat sat
In the fat man’s hat;
“Oh, dear!” the fat man said.
“May the great gray bat
Catch the bad black cat
Who has left me no hat
For my head!”The simple language and short lines create a playful and accessible poem perfect for readers of all ages. The poem’s humor derives from the unexpected scenarios, like a cat in a hat and a cow attempting a bow.
A whimsical illustration of a cat in a hat.
This stylistic choice, combined with the amusing subject matter, showcases how limitations can breed creativity in funny and short poems. Explore the full poem here.
A Pickle Predicament
Anonymous poems can also pack a humorous punch. “Funny Young Fellow” tells the tale of Perkins and his unfortunate fondness for gherkins.
A funny young fellow named Perkins
Was terribly fond of small gherkins.
One day after tea
He ate ninety-three
And pickled his internal workings.The poem’s brevity and rhyming structure contribute to its comedic effect. The exaggerated number of gherkins consumed and the resulting consequence create a memorable and humorous image.
A jar overflowing with pickles.
The Joy of Funny Verse
These examples highlight the diverse ways humor can be achieved in poetry. Whether through clever wordplay, stylistic constraints, or absurd scenarios, funny and short poems offer a delightful way to engage with language and experience the joy of laughter. They remind us that poetry can be both entertaining and thought-provoking, offering a welcome break from the everyday.