Humor is one of the most powerful tools in any relationship. Whether it’s a lighthearted joke between partners or a witty remark that breaks the tension, laughter is a thread that connects us all. In the realm of poetry, humor often serves to provide relief, highlight the absurdities of love, and offer insightful commentary on the complexities of human connections. This article explores 11 funny poems that capture the humor in relationships, offering both laughter and reflection on the quirks of love.
1. “A Valentine” by Edgar Allan Poe
“For her this rhyme is penned, whose luminous eyes
Brightly expressive as the Twins of the Sky,
The rapture of love, the twilight that lies
In the bosom of the lover’s sigh.”
Though Edgar Allan Poe is typically known for his darker, melancholic works, “A Valentine” reveals a surprising comic side. In this poem, Poe uses exaggerated, overly dramatic language to describe a lover’s admiration, poking fun at the excessive nature of poetic declarations of love. The humor here lies in the contrast between the grandiosity of the language and the simplicity of the actual relationship, showcasing how lovers often inflate their feelings to an almost absurd degree. Poe’s humor lies in his use of exaggerated imagery and bombastic declarations, typical of romantic poems but pushed to the point of comedy.
2. “The Next Time I Fall in Love” by Peter Cetera (Song Lyrics)
“The next time I fall in love,
I’ll be sure I’m not falling for you.”
This song lyric, though not strictly a poem, carries a witty message about the cyclical nature of love. The phrase “fall in love” is typically idealized in romantic poetry, but Peter Cetera humorously turns it on its head by suggesting that falling in love is something to avoid. The speaker humorously declares their intention not to fall for the same person again, capturing the sometimes-ironic disappointment love can bring.
3. “Marriage” by Gregory Corso
“I asked the woman to marry me
And she said yes.
I asked the woman to marry me again
And she said yes.
I asked the woman to marry me again
And she said yes.”
Gregory Corso’s playful poem mocks the traditional idea of marriage by suggesting a never-ending loop of asking and receiving the same answer. The humor lies in the repetition of the question and answer, almost as though the speaker is trapped in an absurd cycle of reaffirming their decision. Corso’s use of minimalism enhances the comic effect, and the poem leaves us wondering about the seriousness (or lack thereof) of the speaker’s intentions.
4. “To My Dear and Loving Husband” by Anne Bradstreet
“If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were loved by wife, then thee.”
While Anne Bradstreet’s poem is often read as a sincere expression of love, the overly sentimental and idealized tone invites a comedic interpretation. The exaggerated language, such as “If ever two were one,” transforms the poem into an almost melodramatic love letter. By using such lofty phrases, Bradstreet inadvertently produces humor, making the reader think about how lovers often inflate their feelings to make their relationship appear more perfect than it might actually be. This poem demonstrates how sometimes over-the-top devotion can come across as humorous rather than solemn.
5. “I Wanna Marry You” by Mark Grist
“I wanna marry you like I wanna win the lottery,
But more often than not, I settle for the scratch card.”
Mark Grist’s humorous poem offers a contemporary take on love and marriage. The speaker contrasts the idealistic dream of marrying the perfect person with the much more realistic (and often disappointing) reality of relationships. The scratch card metaphor is a clever way to describe how, sometimes, we settle for less than we imagined in love. Grist’s humor comes from the relatable truth that our expectations in relationships are often far higher than what we end up with.
6. “How to Fall in Love with a Man Who Lives in a Small Town” by Kelli Russell Agodon
“You don’t want to date a man
who loves the open road,
you want to date a man
who loves his dog and his truck.”
Kelli Russell Agodon’s poem humorously explores the common stereotypes of small-town love. The advice to fall in love with a man who loves his dog and truck turns what could be a romantic notion into something comically mundane. The poem is a satirical take on the idealized version of love that often appears in songs and literature, instead emphasizing the simple, sometimes comical realities of love in a small town.
7. “The Owl and the Pussycat” by Edward Lear
“The owl and the pussycat went to sea
In a beautiful pea green boat.”
Edward Lear’s famous nonsense poem about the owl and the pussycat is both funny and heartwarming. The idea of an owl and a cat embarking on an adventure together is inherently absurd, and the poem revels in that absurdity. The humor comes from the whimsical narrative and Lear’s playful use of language. The bizarre pairing of animals as lovers provides a comic twist, highlighting how relationships are sometimes unexpected and defy logic.
8. “A Red, Red Rose” by Robert Burns
“O my Luve’s like a red, red rose,
That’s newly sprung in June.”
While Robert Burns‘ “A Red, Red Rose” is often seen as a serious love poem, the exaggerated comparisons between love and a rose—or a “newly sprung” one—can be read humorously. The hyperbolic comparisons to nature’s beauty make the poem almost comically idealized, and readers may chuckle at how love is compared to something so ephemeral and fleeting as a rose. This over-romanticization provides an ironic contrast between real-life relationships and the idealized ones in literature.
9. “This Is Just To Say” by William Carlos Williams
“I have eaten the plums that were in the icebox
And which you were probably saving for breakfast.”
William Carlos Williams’ poem is a funny, everyday moment captured in verse. The speaker admits to eating the plums that someone else was saving for breakfast, acknowledging it with both apology and an almost mischievous tone. The humor here lies in the mundanity of the act—eating someone else’s plums—and how Williams elevates this simple moment into a poem. The poem’s humor stems from its relatable, petty conflict that can arise in any relationship.
10. “I Do Not Love You Except Because I Love You” by Pablo Neruda
“I do not love you except because I love you.
I go from loving to not loving you,
From waiting to not waiting for you.”
Pablo Neruda’s poem “I Do Not Love You Except Because I Love You” humorously captures the paradoxical and often contradictory nature of love. The back-and-forth of loving and not loving someone speaks to the confusion and frustration that many relationships entail. The comedic element lies in the absurdity of trying to explain such an irrational and volatile emotion, highlighting how love itself often contradicts logic and reason.
11. “The Perfect Wife” by Marilyn Singer
“I’ve got a lovely husband, but he’s not perfect—
He thinks he is, but that’s the defect.”
Marilyn Singer’s poem humorously addresses the often-exaggerated ideal of the “perfect” spouse. The speaker humorously points out that while the husband is lovely, his main flaw is his belief that he is perfect. The poem gently mocks the common idea that anyone could be truly perfect, emphasizing how our quirks and imperfections are what make relationships both humorous and real.
Conclusion
The 11 funny poems discussed above offer a delightful exploration into the role of humor in relationships. Whether they are poking fun at exaggerated romantic ideals, celebrating the quirks of love, or pointing out the absurdities in everyday interactions, these poems all reveal how humor can be used to reflect on the complexity of relationships.
Incorporating humor into relationships—whether through playful poetry, witty remarks, or absurd scenarios—helps to create a bond that transcends the more serious aspects of love. Relationships, after all, are not just about grand declarations and sweeping gestures, but about finding joy, laughter, and lightness in the midst of it all. These poems, while humorous, also remind us that love and companionship, though often imperfect, are worth celebrating—even if we have to laugh at them along the way.
