23 Humorous Poems to Brighten Your Mood
These hilarious poems are sure to bring a smile to your face!
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Humorous verses crafted to tickle your funny bone through poetry
Did academia lead you to believe that love poems, short poems, funeral poems, and other poetic forms are overly serious, deep reflections on nature and humanity? Reconsider. Countless playful, lighthearted, and amusing examples exist.humorous versesguaranteed to make you laugh.
Here’s a collection of humorous poetry: Some envision playful, fantastical situations, some are cleverly crafted limericks that mock the absurd, and others are children’s verses designed to provoke thought as much as laughter.
If you’re looking for April Fools’ Day humor or a clever poem to enjoy with friends and family anytime, check out these hilarious poems—they’re sure to brighten anyone’s day!
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1. “The Purple Cow” by Gelett Burgess
I have never laid eyes on a Purple Cow,
I never wish to encounter one;
However, I can assure you, no matter what,
I prefer to observe rather than participate.
Concise yet heartfelt. For a more emotional touch, especially for someone like your mother, explore these tender Mother’s Day poems.
2. “Strong Beer” by Robert Graves
“What are your thoughts”
The most courageous beverage
Beneath the heavens?
“I’ll have a strong beer,” I replied.
and everything has its place.”
Everything and anything,
Everything has its place
In its rightful place:
For a chicken, the wing of the hen;
For venom, the sting of the bee;
For almond blossoms, spring arrives.
“A beerhouse for me.”
“Every participant will receive a reward,”
Everyone, anybody,
Every participant will receive a reward,
Whoever he might be:
Steep cliffs for the climber,
Banners for the Fusilier,
For English poets, raise a glass of beer!
“Give me a strong beer!”
You had to expect at least one of these humorous poems would focus on drinking. Check out the full poem in this link.
3. “The Allure of Floating” by H.G. Paine
“Oh no!” exclaimed young Johnny Frost,
Sleds come in so many varieties!
Speeding down the slope with effortless speed
You’d imagine they could fly;
“But as you gradually ascend the steep path,”
And you must pull your sled along,
The weight is so immense it might lead you to believe
The material used was genuinely lead.
“And all due to the fact that an Englishman,
Sir Isaac Newton identified,
Gravity was conceptualized, and
Grew excessively renowned;
Had he chosen to invert his law instead,
People living at higher elevations could glide downhill effortlessly,
It appears to me that he might have possessed
A stronger right to pride.
Gliding along would bring nothing but delight;
Sliding up would be smooth and stylish!
Pulling sleds downward along a slope would be
“A terribly simple trick!”
Thank you very much.lot, Isaac Newton! If you enjoyed this humorous poem, you’ll definitely appreciate these hilarious science-themed jokes.
4. “The Camel’s Lament” by Charles E. Carryl
Canary-birds consume a diet consisting of sugar and seeds,
Parrots enjoy munching on crisp crackers;
And, regarding the poodles, I’ve heard they speak of the noodles
Serve chicken and cream as their midday meal.
Yet the answer is never in doubt
Regarding MY digestion—
Anything works for me!
Cats, as you know, are capable of resting comfortably in a chair,
Chickens are able to perch on rails.
Puppies can sleep in a steady, secure position without difficulty.
Oysters are capable of sleeping in buckets.
No one assumes, however,
A weary Camel rests—
Any spot works just fine for me!
Riding a giraffe would likely make people laugh,
Or climbed onto the back of an ox;
Riding a rabbit isn’t anyone’s usual practice,
Attempt to mount a fox instead.
But when it comes to a Camel, he is
Used by families—
No load is too much for me!
Discover more amusing traits of the camel by exploring the full poem here. If you enjoy humorous poetry, you’ll delight in the most hilarious books ever written.
5. “The Elephant” by Anonymous
An elephant rested in his sleeping quarters,
His chest gently rose and fell as he slept.
But he snored—oh, how he snored!
All the remaining creatures let out thunderous cries,
So his spouse fastened a loop in his trunk.
Whether you adore them or can’t stand them, limericks rank among the most popular types of humorous poetry.
6. “My Shadow” by Robert Louis Stevenson
My tiny shadow follows me wherever I go, appearing and disappearing by my side.
What purpose he serves is beyond my comprehension.
He resembles me closely in every way, from head to toe.
He leaps in front of me as I hop into my bed.
The most amusing aspect of him is how he enjoys growing—
Unlike well-behaved children, who tend to move at a leisurely pace;
At times, he springs upward, stretching taller like a rubber ball made of india-rubber.
At times, he receives so little that he virtually disappears.
Find the complete poem here. While some of these humorous verses are a bit lengthy, you can explore these brief, easy-to-recall poems for a quicker read.
7. “The Stargazer” (anonymous)
A night owl gazing up at the stars,
Gazing upward with both vision and mind aligned,
By accident, they fell into a well
(A sorrowful tale this is to recount);
He bellowed, wept, then bellowed once more,
And damned “The Bear” and “Charles’s Wain.”
A neighbor carried his mournful cries,
Less educated, yet profoundly wise in mind:
“My friend,” said he, “you are greatly mistaken,
Beneath the stars that weigh upon your mind;
Since you face such hardships now,
“Due to a lack of attention to where you step.”
Occasionally, we must take a moment to examine what’s directly before our eyes. And, at other times, it’s essential to enjoy these cosmic space puns.
8. “Phantasmagoria” by Lewis Carroll
Fear is not the issue here,
Let me point out
Ghosts possess an equally valid claim
In every aspect, to dread the brightness,
Men dread the darkness.
“No excuse,” I replied, “could possibly justify
What a display of cowardice from your side:
Ghosts have the freedom to appear at their will,
Although we Humans are unable to decline
“To approve the interview.”
He remarked, “A flicker of unease”
Isn’t it perfectly natural?
I was genuinely afraid you had bad intentions.
But now I notice that you appear composed,
Allow me to clarify the purpose of my visit.
“I must clarify that houses are categorized,”
Based on the figures
Of Spirits they choose to harbor:
The Tenant is considered only as a weight,
Using coal and additional timber supplies.
Lewis Carroll, the writer behind the beloved children’s classic *Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland*, crafted a whimsical tale that continues to captivate readers of all ages. His imaginative storytelling and playful use of language have cemented the book’s place as a timeless masterpiece in literature. The adventures of Alice, the curious protagonist, unfold in a fantastical world filled with eccentric characters and surreal events, leaving an enduring legacy in the realm of children’s fiction. Carroll’s unique blend of humor, logic, and fantasy ensures that his work remains a cherished favorite across generations.Alice’s Adventures in WonderlandLewis Carroll, the creator of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Jabberwocky,” is undoubtedly a genius when it comes to humorous poetry. Explore the full poem to enjoy the whimsical exchange between the storyteller and the specter.
9. “Monosyllabics” by Laura E. Richards
The black cat perched
Beneath the fat man’s hat;
“Oh, my!” exclaimed the portly gentleman.
“May the magnificent gray bat
Snag the naughty dark feline
Who has taken my hat without leaving one behind?
For my own head!
A big crimson bovine
Attempted to craft a bow,
But was unsure of the way,
They claim.
Her legs became tangled,
And her horns were repaired,
And her tail would grow
In her own manner.
A melancholy, slender primate
Purchased a roll of broad white adhesive tape.
To shape a fresh cape
For his beloved niece;
But a daring young calf,
With a harsh, mocking chuckle,
Took a bite out of an entire half
For his flock of geese.
Humor in funny poems comes from both their writing style and content! Each word in this poem is a single syllable—and it continues far beyond this excerpt! Find the complete poem here.
10. “Amusing Youth” by Anonymous
A humorous young man by the name of Perkins
Had an intense liking for tiny pickled cucumbers.
One afternoon following tea time
He consumed ninety-three.
And preserved his innermost components in brine.
We sure hope those gherkins lived up to the hype! Dive into these even more dill-icious pickle puns and jokes for your enjoyment.
11. “The Shy Earthquake” by Oliver Herford
The Earthquake shook violently
Muttered under his breath
And muttered in discontent;
And then he collided,
And everything came crashing down—
Bumpyty-thump!
Thumpyty-bump!—
Homes and grand estates all jumbled together!
“Oh, what a terrible collision!”
What a tremendous hit!
How could I have acted so recklessly?
Tears streamed down the Earthquake’s face.
“What in the world”
What have I gone and done?
“I have never felt this humiliated before!”
Off he dashed in haste,
He sighed heavily while rushing forward:
“All this happened because I didn’t watch where I was stepping.”
Mistakes are a part of being human. Discover further details about the earthquake’s impact here, and explore additional humorous poetry by Oliver Herford inThe Shy Earthquake and Additional Tales and PoemsTo further immerse yourself in the world’s splendor, explore the enchanting verses of nature poetry as well.
12. “The Cat Transformed Into a Woman” by Jean de la Fontaine
A young man gently stroked his feline companion,
A beloved, gentle, and exquisitely refined;
Lost in love, he believed her every sigh was meant for him.
The most melodious voice he had ever heard.
Through prayers, weeping, and mystical craft,
The man persuaded Fate to side with him;
And behold! one dawn by his side
His feline companion, once transformed, turned into his beloved wife.
Bound in marriage, our man appeared.
He had acted foolishly in matters of love.
No admirer has ever been so enchanted.
By any maiden’s allure
As this husband was, thus made wealthy
Held close within his embrace by her.
He admired her charms, one after another,
And spotted no trace of the feline.
Driven by passion, he
Considered her the epitome of grace and refinement.
’Twas midnight: a few mice nibbled at the rugs
Disrupted the wedding’s bliss.
Thrilled by the commotion,
In an instant, the bride lunged toward them with swift intensity.
The mice felt fear and quickly ran away.
The bride, barely settled into her bed,
The gnawing sound was heard, and it leaped once more, –
This time, the effort bore fruit.
In this fresh narrative style presented,
The mice feared her less.
Throughout her life, she cherished this pursuit of mousing,
Such is the unyielding power of nature’s will.
Meet the ultimate cat enthusiast. This one’s unusual—and it doesn’t stop there! If you adore felines (and cat sayings as well), check out the poem’s deeper closing verse here, and explore more works by this writer featuringThe Entire Collection of Fables by Jean de la Fontaine.
13. “Do You Care at All for Me?” (author unknown)
Do you care at all for me?
My heart beats for you,
With your bulbous turnip nose
And your face like a radish,
You’re such a sweetheart.
If we can’t elope,
“Let’s tie the knot with lettuce:”
Weed creates an excellent pear.
Who can resist a clever food pun? Check out these hilarious food-themed pickup lines guaranteed to make you laugh.
14. “Eletelephony” by Laura E. Richards
Once there lived an elephant,
Who attempted to utilize the telephant—
No! No! I’m talking about an elephone!
Who attempted to utilize the telephone—
Goodness gracious! I’m not entirely sure
Even now, I’ve managed to get it correct.)
However it happened, he managed to retrieve his trunk.
Lost in the telephunk’s grip;
The harder he struggled to loosen it,
The telephee buzzed more intensely—
I’m afraid I should probably give up on the song.
Of elephop and telephong!
Craving additional humor centered around elephants? These jokes about elephants are guaranteed to make you laugh uproariously.
15. “The Table and the Chair” by Edward Lear
16. “The Theoretic Turtle” by Amos Russel Wells
The theoretical turtle set off on a journey to visit the toad;
He halted beside a liberty-pole standing in the center of the street.
“By the great spouting whale,” the furious turtle exclaimed,
Is it possible for me to scale this vertical cliff and reach the opposite side?
If only I could craft a giant balloon, I’d soar gently above it.
Perhaps an exceptionally tall ladder could make it to the summit, but the height appears dauntingly immense.
If I were a beaver, I’d chew my way through using my sharp teeth;
“I’m unable to do that, but I can excavate a passage and go underneath.”
He was tunneling with all his strength when a dog peered into the excavation.
“The simplest method, my friend,” he remarked, “is to go around the pole.”
If you enjoyed these humorous poems, you’ll definitely get a kick out of these unbelievable funny song titles that actually exist.
17. “Why We Are Against Pockets for Women” by Alice Duer Miller
1. Since pockets are not an inherent entitlement.
2. Most women aren’t interested in having pockets; if they were, pockets would already be a standard feature.
3. Women have historically avoided using pockets even when they were available to them.
4. Women already have enough to carry without the extra weight of pockets.
5. It could create conflict between spouses over whose pockets should be filled.
6. Since it would undermine a man’s gallantry toward a woman if he weren’t obligated to keep all her belongings in his pockets.
7. Men and women are inherently different by nature, and we should not defy this fundamental truth.
8. Since pockets have historically been employed by men to hold tobacco, pipes, whiskey flasks, chewing gum, and incriminating letters, there is little evidence to suggest women would utilize them more prudently.
Miller’s humorous satirical poem was composed in 1914 and appears inAre Women People? A Collection of Verses for the Suffrage Era, a compilation of Miller’s poetry dedicated to the suffrage movement.
18. “The Dangers of Thought” (author unknown)
A centipede was quite content,
Until a frog in jest
Said, “Tell me, in what order do the legs follow one another?”
This heightened her thoughts to such an intensity,
Her mind wandered as she lay in the ditch, lost in thought.
Thinking about the best way to run.
That’s something to ponder! If you enjoyed this humorous poem, you might also like these witty jokes!
19. “Have You Ever Seen” (anonymous)
Have you ever spotted a sheet lying on the bottom of a river?
Or a solitary strand plucked from a hammer’s face?
Does the base of a mountain have any toes?
Do you have a set of garden hoses?
Does the needle ever give a sly blink?
Why can’t a building’s wing take flight?
Is it possible to make a parasol laugh by tickling its ribs?
Can you even pry open the trunk of a tree?
Will the tines of a rake ever sink in deep?
Do the hands of a clock possess a left or right direction?
Can the garden plot be shadowy and profound?
What noise does the birch tree’s bark make?
English is full of playful twists, making it the perfect playground for poets to craft humorous verses. If you’re eager to expand your collection with more poetic works, explore these fantastic poetry books.
20. “The Dreadful Echo of Science” by Vachel Lindsay
“The butterfly contains intricate mechanisms;
The bee operates like a coiled spring;
A daisy operates with its own hydraulic system,
“Attach the contraptions to a tree.”
If only we could catch a glimpse of the birdie
The sound produced is a chirping noise.
Using X-ray technology and scientific observation,
The turning of the wheels was visible to us.
round.”
And I wish for every man
Those who share this perspective
Soon will rest
Underground.
This humorous poem serves as a delightful nudge to appreciate nature in its pure, unaltered form.
21. “One Perfect Rose” by Dorothy Parker
One blossom he gave me, after we first met.
With gentle care, he selected his messenger;
Deep-hearted, pristine, with fragrant dew yet fresh—
A single flawless rose.
I understood the dialect of the tiny blossom;
“His heart is wrapped within my delicate leaves,” it whispered.
Love has long chosen his talisman to be
A single flawless rose.
Why has nobody ever sent it to me before
Could there be such a thing as the ideal limousine?
Ah no, once again my luck turns out to be just as terrible as ever.
A single flawless rose.
Certainly, a limousinewouldBe kind… but never overlook the impact of offering someone a rose!
22. “A Snow Man” by Anonymous
Oh, the glorious snow!
We’re all basking in the light—
Nell, Dolly, Willie, and Dan;
For the ultimate enjoyment,
When everything is considered and accounted for,
Building a massive snowman is all he’s doing.
Two pebbles serving as his eyes
Appear profoundly and thoughtfully wise,
A sharp sting of snow against his nose;
Then a mouth as vast
Like the snout of a pig,
And he’ll probably desire an aged pipe, I imagine.
Once the snowman is complete,
What excitement awaits us tomorrow
To create towering mounds of snow cannon throughout the day,
And to hurl balls at him
Until he stumbles and collapses,
A thaw arrives and dissolves him into nothing.
This delightful poem originates fromA Christmas Hamper: A Collection of Illustrationsand Tales for Young Children.
23. “Mr. Nobody” (writer unidentified)
I’m acquainted with an amusing, tiny fellow,
Silent as a shadow,
Who is responsible for the harm that occurs
In every home!
No one has ever laid eyes on his face,
And still, we find ourselves in unanimous agreement
Every dish we shatter was already flawed.
By Mr. Nobody.
The imprints of fingers left on the door
Not created by any of us;
We always make sure to close the blinds completely.
Allowing the curtains to lose their color.
The words we leave unspoken; the shoes we never lace up.
The scattered objects around you are visible
Do not our boots—each and every one—
For Mr. Nobody.
Explore Mr. Nobody’s mischievous adventures in the full poem available here.
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