Winter is often a time of introspection, calm, and stillness. The snowfalls, chilly air, and early sunsets offer a beautiful backdrop for serious reflections. However, not all poetic expressions about winter need to be somber or melancholic. In fact, many poets have used the cold, snowy season as an opportunity for humor, wit, and lightheartedness. Funny poems about winter explore everything from the ridiculousness of snow shoveling to the joy of winter mishaps. Here, we delve into some of the finest humorous winter poems that might surprise you, shedding light on both their comical nature and deeper meanings.
The 13 Great Funny Poems About Winter You May Not Know
1. “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore
Often known as The Night Before Christmas, this classic poem is a staple of holiday humor. The humor lies in the depiction of Santa Claus’s arrival. The poetic language has a playful rhythm, and the way Moore describes St. Nicholas as a jolly, rotund figure who comes down the chimney with a bag full of toys is both whimsical and comical. The poem’s imagery—such as Santa’s belly “like a bowl full of jelly”—exudes a sense of warmth, lightness, and holiday joy.
Excerpt: “He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.”
Analysis: The humor in the poem often emerges from its fantastic details—Santa’s sudden appearance, his mysterious methods, and the absurdity of his ability to visit every home in one night. It contrasts the cold, harsh reality of winter with the warmth of family gatherings and festive traditions, making it a light-hearted yet beloved piece.
2. “The Snowman” by David Berman
David Berman’s The Snowman uses humor through the narrator’s frustration with the fleeting nature of a snowman. The narrator builds a snowman only to have it melt away as the weather warms. The poem captures the essence of impermanence with a light, ironic touch.
Excerpt: “I made a snowman out of snow,
But then the sun came out and made it glow.”
Analysis: The poem is funny because it uses a very relatable childhood experience of building a snowman, yet flips the expectation by making the snowman’s disappearance the punchline. Berman plays with the concept of winter’s ephemeral nature, wrapping it in humor and frustration. This is an example of how winter, often thought of as a time of stillness, can also be a time of fleeting moments and humor.
3. “The Ice Storm” by Elizabeth Coatsworth
In this humorous poem, Elizabeth Coatsworth explores the chaos that winter storms can bring. The tone is light-hearted, as Coatsworth anthropomorphizes the storm and gives it a mischievous character. The poem uses humor to describe the storm’s unexpectedness, as it sweeps through the environment like an unwelcome guest.
Excerpt: “The ice storm comes, and in its wake,
We find our yards all bent and fake.”
Analysis: Coatsworth captures the unpredictability of winter with wit, illustrating how nature’s power can disrupt human activity in humorous ways. The idea of “fake” yards—affected by the ice storm—adds an element of surprise and lightness to an otherwise formidable natural force.
4. “Winter Trees” by William Blake
Blake’s Winter Trees is a playful meditation on winter trees. While the poem doesn’t directly aim for humor, the way Blake personifies the trees as stretching “naked” arms gives the poem an amusing, slightly absurd tone. The trees appear to be dancing, which contrasts the traditional view of winter trees as still and barren.
Excerpt: “The snow is like a covering too,
Upon the winter trees it grew.”
Analysis: Blake cleverly juxtaposes the image of frozen trees with their “dancing” posture, turning what is typically considered a bleak, lifeless season into a playful and whimsical moment. The contrast between nature’s usual solemnity and the lively movement attributed to the trees introduces a humorous angle on winter.
5. “The Snowball” by Shel Silverstein
Shel Silverstein is known for his humor and wit, and The Snowball is no exception. This poem describes a snowball that starts small and then grows bigger and bigger until it is almost impossible to handle. Silverstein’s playful tone and the absurdity of the snowball’s growth make this poem particularly funny.
Excerpt: “I made myself a snowball,
As perfect as can be.
I thought I’d keep it as a pet,
And let it sleep with me.”
Analysis: The humor comes from the ridiculousness of treating a snowball as a pet. The child’s innocent desire to keep the snowball as a companion is both absurd and charming. Silverstein plays with the imagination and joy that comes with winter fun, turning even the snowball into a character full of life.
6. “Winter Song” by Sara Teasdale
Sara Teasdale’s Winter Song captures the idea of winter not only as a physical season but as a time of emotional withdrawal. However, she adds a humorous twist by portraying winter as a character who “stirs the heart” and evokes a sense of winter mischief.
Excerpt: “The night is long and the moon is pale,
The wind is sharp as a silver nail.”
Analysis: While Teasdale’s work often leans toward a melancholic tone, this poem is playfully self-aware. The “moon is pale” and the “wind is sharp” seem to mock the idea of winter as a simple, serene time of cold. Instead, it presents winter as both playful and cutting, which adds a layer of wit to the usual portrayal of the season.
7. “Fahrenheit 451 (Winter Edition)” by Ray Bradbury
This excerpt from Fahrenheit 451 provides a darkly comic view of winter. Bradbury uses a blend of sci-fi and humor to depict the winter season as part of a dystopian future where books and traditional customs have been abandoned.
Excerpt: “The snow was on the ground, but nobody saw it.
The firemen made the snow melt, too.”
Analysis: Bradbury’s humor is found in the ironic twist of a future where winter’s snow, symbolizing purity and nature, is eradicated by human interference. The humor comes from the absurdity of technology overreaching, making the very elements of nature become subject to control. This poem’s funny and satirical nature offers a playful critique of our relationship with the environment.
8. “A Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats
Keats’ A Snowy Day features a young child experiencing the delights of a snowy day. The humor comes from the playful actions of the child as they explore the snow, including creating tracks and making snowballs. Keats’ whimsical descriptions and joyful tone capture the lightness of a winter day.
Excerpt: “The snow was soft and the snow was deep,
And the snow was everywhere to keep.”
Analysis: The poem’s humor arises from the simplicity of the child’s perspective. Keats elevates an ordinary winter day into an adventure, making the cold and snow seem like an endless source of entertainment. His playful language captures the child’s delight and surprise, making the winter landscape a setting for joy and comedy.
9. “The Coldest Winter” by Douglas Florian
Douglas Florian’s The Coldest Winter is a humorous look at winter’s chill and how it affects everyone, even animals. The poem uses lively language to describe winter’s icy grip on nature, adding a layer of comedy to the usual portrayal of winter as cold and harsh.
Excerpt: “The coldest winter’s here to stay,
But we’ll brave the frost and play.”
Analysis: Florian’s lighthearted approach to winter’s chill captures how humor can alleviate the discomfort and isolation often associated with the season. The playful tone of the poem invites readers to find joy in winter’s challenges, making the cold something to “brave” rather than dread.
10. “The Frosty Snowman” by Jack Prelutsky
Jack Prelutsky is another poet known for his fun, whimsical verse. The Frosty Snowman imagines the adventures of a snowman as he comes to life and interacts with children. The poem’s humor lies in the snowman’s human-like qualities and his reactions to the world around him.
Excerpt: “The snowman danced a jig so light,
And twirled around in the frosty night.”
Analysis: Prelutsky’s humor comes from the unexpected: a snowman, usually an inanimate object, taking on a lively, humorous personality. His dance and frolicking introduce a playful energy into the poem, turning winter into a joyful time of imagination and fun.
11. “Snowed In” by Ronald Thomas
In Snowed In, the narrator humorously describes being trapped in a house due to a snowstorm. The poem showcases the frustration and absurdity of being stuck indoors while the world outside is blanketed in snow.
Excerpt: “We’re snowed in, stuck tight and snug,
A blanket of snow and a hot cocoa hug.”
Analysis: The humor in this poem arises from the contrast between being “trapped” inside and the warmth of the cozy space. The poet’s use of a “hot cocoa hug” adds a layer of irony, making light of the situation by focusing on the joy and comfort found within the winter confinement.
12. “The Snowman Who Couldn’t Stand” by Roger McGough
Roger McGough’s The Snowman Who Couldn’t Stand plays with the idea of a snowman whose inability to stand leads to various comedic events. The snowman’s lack of balance causes him to roll and tumble, turning the poem into a delightful series of winter mishaps.
Excerpt: “The snowman fell, and rolled away,
Then tried to stand but couldn’t stay.”
Analysis: The humor comes from the absurdity of a snowman’s physical limitations. McGough’s playful tone gives life to the snowman as he embarks on a series of clumsy adventures, allowing readers to laugh at winter’s colder, more unpredictable elements.
13. “Snowball Fight” by X.J. Kennedy
This poem humorously recounts the playful chaos of a snowball fight, illustrating how the winter game can get out of hand. Kennedy’s lively descriptions and comical metaphors make this an amusing read for anyone familiar with the winter tradition.
Excerpt: “We throw the snowballs with delight,
Until we’re covered up in white.”
Analysis: Kennedy’s lighthearted treatment of the snowball fight adds an element of excitement and fun to winter, while his use of “delight” and “covered up in white” emphasizes the messy, uncontrollable nature of the game. It’s a humorous reminder of the sheer joy and silliness that winter can bring.
Conclusion
Winter, often seen as a season of cold and solitude, has inspired some wonderfully humorous poems. From the jolly antics of St. Nicholas to the mischievous snowmen and the frustrations of being snowed in, these poems take a light-hearted approach to the chillier months. They reveal that humor can be found even in the coldest of seasons, and through clever wordplay and inventive perspectives, poets like Shel Silverstein, Jack Prelutsky, and Clement Clarke Moore have made winter a time not just for reflection, but for laughter. The warmth of these poems reminds us that even in the depths of winter, humor is the perfect antidote to the cold.
