15 Humorous Comedy Poems

(Poems 1-15)

Comedy poetry intertwines the universal language of humor with poetic form, leading to a unique and entertaining genre. Often embodying puns, clever word play, satire, and wit, it seeks to provoke laughter, amusement, or thoughtful entertainment.

Though it’s mainly used for humor, it can also serve as a platform for social commentary, skewering pretensions, and exposing human folly. Comedy poetry shows us that poetry doesn’t always need to be serious—it can also be a space for fun, laughter, and light-hearted banter.

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Tam O’Shanter

by Robert Burns

One of the classics of Scottish literature, ‘Tam O’Shanter’ is a poem whose influence has spread beyond the borders of Scotland. A tale of drunken misadventure mixed with faux gothic and comedy horror, this poem somehow manages to transcend the mix of styles and tell a tale that has stood the test of time.

Despite sometimes dealing with horror, the poem is comedic and is more about Tam's drunken adventures than the horror he encounters. He gets himself into trouble by being drunk and unable to control himself.

When chapmen billies leave the street,

And drouthy neibors, neibors meet,

As market days are wearing late,

An' folk begin to tak the gate;

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How Can You Say That?

by Jean Bleakney

‘How Can You Say That?’ is a humorous and thoughtful rebuttal of belittlement which reflects the struggle of women in the twentieth century.

The genre of 'How Can You Say That?' is Humor. The poem humorously addresses the narrator's frustration with her husband's dismissive remark. It uses witty language and playful comparisons to showcase the narrator's intelligence and skills. The light-hearted tone and amusing examples add charm to the poem while conveying a deeper critique of undervaluing women's abilities.

I am your wife.

I can name and nurture

twenty-nine hardy geraniums.

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The Turkey Shot Out of the Oven

by Jack Prelutsky

In ‘The Turkey Shot Out of the Oven,’ a culinary catastrophe turns comical as a turkey’s unconventional escape leads to hilarious mayhem.

‘The Turkey Shot Out of the Oven’ squarely fits within the comedy genre. It employs humor through exaggerated and absurd scenarios, unexpected events, and playful language to entertain readers. The poem takes a commonplace situation – cooking a turkey – and transforms it into a comical spectacle, emphasizing the humor in the chaos that ensues. The comedic tone, coupled with its lighthearted message, makes it a classic example of humorous poetry.

Take a turkey, stuff it fat,

Some of this and some of that.

Get some turnips, peel them well.

Cook a big squash in its shell.

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The Merchant’s Prologue

by Geoffrey Chaucer

‘The Merchant’s Prologue’ is the introduction to ‘The Merchant’s Tale’ and serves to establish the Merchant as an unreliable narrator.

As a fabilau, 'The Merchant's Prologue' and 'The Merchant's Tale' at large possess great degrees of humour. This humour is often dry and satirical, highlighting the absurdity of the Merchant and the other characters within. This text features many humorous moments.

"Wepyng and waylyng, care and oother sorwe

"Weeping and wailing, grief and other sorrow

1214 I knowe ynogh, on even and a-morwe,"

I know enough, on evenings and mornings,"

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Head of English

by Carol Ann Duffy

‘Head of English’ by Carol Ann Duffy is a witty and satirical take on the conservative and orthodox teaching of poetry.

Today we have a poet in the class.

A real live poet with a published book.

Notice the inkstained fingers, girls. Perhaps

we're going to witness verse hot from the press.

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Animal Fair

by Anonymous

‘Animal Fair’ is a fun nursery rhyme that describes the actions of a monkey and an elephant, which ends with a cliffhanger.

The genre of Comedy is present in 'Animal Fair' through its playful and light-hearted tone. The humorous situations, like a baboon combing its hair and a monkey getting drunk and sitting on an elephant’s trunk, are meant to entertain and amuse the reader. This comic storytelling creates a funny, engaging atmosphere that draws on absurd situations and exaggeration, keeping readers and listeners entertained.

I went to the animal fair,

The birds and the beasts were there;

The big baboon by the light of the moon

Was combing his auburn hair.

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The Tragedy

by Henry Lawson

‘The Tragedy’ by Henry Lawson is a humorous poem written as an advertisement, recounting the tale of a man whose prized cough medicine was stolen.

There are certainly comedic elements to this poem. The exaggeration and use of hyperbole give the poem a humorous feeling that would be a way to entertain the public when they read it.

Oh, I never felt so wretched, and things never looked so blue,

Since the days I gulped the physic that my Granny used to brew;

For a friend in whom I trusted, entering my room last night,

Stole a bottleful of Heenzo from the desk whereon I write.

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Please Mrs. Butler

by Allan Ahlberg

‘Please Mrs. Butler’ by Allan Ahlberg is a children’s poem that conveys a frustrating and purposeless conversation between a student and their teacher.

This piece is meant to be entertaining and comedic.

Please Mrs Butler

This boy Derek Drew

Keeps copying my work, Miss.

What shall I do?

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Building the Nation

by Henry Barlow

‘Building the Nation’ is one of the best-known poems of the Ugandan poet Henry Barlow. This humorous piece comments on how nation-builders contribute to their country.

Today I did my share

In building the nation.

I drove the permanent secretary

To an important urgent function

#10

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Human Family

by Maya Angelou

‘Human Family’ by Maya Angelou expresses an incredibly relatable message about family. The poet speaks broadly about the world, unity, and how we are all connected to one another.

I note the obvious differences

in the human family.

Some of us are serious,

some thrive on comedy.

#11

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Of Treason

by John Harington

‘Of Treason’ by John Harington is a two-line poem that uses humor and wit to describes the nature of successful and unsuccessful treason.

Treason doth never prosper; what's the reason?

For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.

#12

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Singh Song!

by Daljit Nagra

‘Singh Song!’ humorously explores love over duty, using colloquial charm to capture a shopkeeper’s devotion to his bride.

#13

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The Hippopotamus

by Hilaire Belloc

‘The Hippopotamus’ by Hilaire Belloc is an amusing short poem that describes shooting a hippopotamus with platinum bullets.

I shoot the Hippopotamus

With bullets made of platinum,

Because if I use leaden ones

His hide is sure to flatten 'em.

#14

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The New Bride

by Catherine Smith

‘The New Bride’ by C. Smith is a ghostly wife’s sardonic view on her husband’s life after her death, blending dark humor and critique.

#15

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The Windmill

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

‘The Windmill’ personifies a windmill, exploring themes of pride, work, and rest in a whimsical yet reflective narrative.

Behold! a giant am I!

Aloft here in my tower,

With my granite jaws I devour

The maize, and the wheat, and the rye,

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15 Humorous Comedy Poems

(Poems 1-15)

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15 Humorous Comedy Poems

(Poems 1-15)

by Robert Burns

by Jean Bleakney

by Jack Prelutsky

by Geoffrey Chaucer

by Carol Ann Duffy

by Anonymous

by Henry Lawson

by Allan Ahlberg

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