Poetry has always been a rich form of artistic expression, capturing the nuances of human experience through words. When it comes to women, poets have explored all aspects of their being—from their roles in society to their inner worlds. However, not all poems about women are serious and profound. Some take a humorous turn, offering clever, witty, and light-hearted perspectives. These poems celebrate women with a playful twist, showcasing their strengths, flaws, and everything in between. In this article, we will explore 14 funny poems about women, offering excerpts and insightful analysis of each, reflecting on how humor has been used to explore the female experience.
1. “The Women Who Loved Me” by Judith Viorst
In her poem, The Women Who Loved Me, Judith Viorst presents a humorous take on the trials of romantic relationships. Viorst cleverly shifts through a series of women who loved the speaker, offering a self-deprecating yet lighthearted perspective on how each relationship was experienced. The poem’s charm lies in the way it exaggerates certain typical female traits, turning them into comical caricatures.
Excerpt: “The women who loved me had Such patience! Oh, how they tried. They made me laugh, they made me cry, They made me feel like I could fly.”
Analysis: Viorst’s playful tone invites readers to laugh at the absurdity of romantic ideals, showing that love often comes with baggage and contradictions. By exaggerating the speaker’s experience with “the women who loved me,” Viorst humorously portrays the over-the-top behaviors of those caught up in love. This poem shows women as strong, emotional, and yet utterly human, adding layers of humor to their imperfections.
2. “The Lady’s Dressing Room” by Jonathan Swift
Swift’s The Lady’s Dressing Room is a biting satire that humorously exposes the gap between the idealized version of women and their real-life imperfections. Set in a lady’s private space, the poem paints a vivid picture of the unglamorous reality behind her beauty routine. Swift uses exaggerated imagery and irony to humorously reflect on the often-hidden work women put into their appearance.
Excerpt: “The toilet’s half of that design, To lay aside all female pride.”
Analysis: In this poem, Swift uses humor to comment on how society places high expectations on women’s appearances, only to reveal that those expectations often hide the messy, mundane efforts behind them. Through humor, Swift criticizes the superficiality of beauty standards, making readers laugh while subtly encouraging them to reconsider these cultural norms.
3. “Women Are Angels” by J.R.R. Tolkien
J.R.R. Tolkien, famous for his epic fantasy works, also had a knack for humor. In his brief poem Women Are Angels, Tolkien uses a playful analogy to describe the dual nature of women, highlighting both their charm and their fiery side.
Excerpt: “Women are angels, we’re told, But only after they have lost their wings.”
Analysis: Tolkien’s wit shines through in this short, humorous reflection on the complicated nature of women. The poem takes an idealized view of women as “angels,” only to humorously undercut it by suggesting that these angels have lost their wings—likely as a result of human nature. The humor lies in the unexpected twist, as Tolkien winks at the idea that women, in their everyday lives, embody both grace and frustration.
4. “I’m No Lady” by Dorothy Parker
Dorothy Parker was known for her acerbic wit, and I’m No Lady is a prime example of her sharp commentary on gender expectations. In this poem, Parker defies conventional norms of femininity by declaring that she does not fit into society’s ideal image of a lady.
Excerpt: “I’m no lady, I’m a bombshell! Oh, no, I’ll never be.”
Analysis: Parker uses humor to make a statement about the restrictive roles women are often forced into. She humorously rejects the traditional “lady” ideal, embracing a more explosive and unapologetic identity. Through this humorous rejection, Parker challenges the idea of women being defined solely by their societal roles, showing that being a woman can mean embracing complexity and individuality.
5. “The Careful Wife” by Ogden Nash
Ogden Nash is famous for his playful use of rhyme and humor, and The Careful Wife is no exception. In this light-hearted poem, Nash humorously imagines the everyday struggles of a woman trying to keep her household in order.
Excerpt: “The careful wife is quite a sight, She’ll see that everything’s just right, But if she finds a little flaw, She’ll make you pay without a law.”
Analysis: Through Nash’s trademark cleverness, the poem highlights the often contradictory nature of domestic life and the roles women play within it. By exaggerating the wife’s attention to detail, Nash humorously explores how the expectations of domestic perfection can drive women to become both meticulous and relentless.
6. “Aunt Imogen” by Edward Lear
Edward Lear was a master of limericks, and Aunt Imogen is a humorous, whimsical poem that pokes fun at the quirks of an elderly relative. Lear’s lighthearted tone and use of nonsense verse make this poem both comical and endearing.
Excerpt: “Aunt Imogen, stout and proud, Wore a very large bonnet, and said aloud, ‘Oh, I think it quite dandy To dance like a candy And sing like the goats on the hill of the crowd!’”
Analysis: Lear’s poem is absurdly funny, as it paints a picture of an eccentric aunt who is wholly unaware of her own absurdity. The humor in the poem comes from the ridiculousness of the aunt’s actions and her grandiose sense of self. Lear uses exaggeration and a light-hearted tone to create a fun portrayal of an older woman who doesn’t quite fit societal norms.
7. “How to Be a Woman” by Caitlin Moran
Caitlin Moran’s How to Be a Woman is an irreverent, humorous take on the modern woman’s experience. The poem is filled with wit and sarcasm, poking fun at the expectations placed on women in contemporary society.
Excerpt: “To be a woman, you must wear heels, Have long hair, and make sure you peel Your mascara off before bed, And make sure you’re ‘pretty,’ or it’s dead.”
Analysis: Moran’s poem humorously critiques the impossible standards women are expected to live up to. With sharp sarcasm, she highlights the absurdity of these standards, questioning their validity and encouraging women to break free from them. The humor is biting but insightful, offering both entertainment and social commentary.
8. “The World’s a Stage” by William Shakespeare
Though known for his more serious works, Shakespeare’s The World’s a Stage features some humor as it examines the roles people play throughout their lives. Though the poem isn’t solely focused on women, it does contain an amusing commentary on the stages of a woman’s life.
Excerpt: “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts.”
Analysis: In this famous excerpt, Shakespeare uses humor to suggest that everyone, regardless of gender, plays multiple roles throughout their lives. He humorously acknowledges the performances and acts that come with growing up, maturing, and evolving—offering a playful yet profound commentary on the human experience, including the female experience.
9. “The New Woman” by Edna St. Vincent Millay
Edna St. Vincent Millay’s The New Woman takes on a humorous, ironic tone when discussing the changing roles of women in society. Millay presents the idea of the “new woman” in a tongue-in-cheek way, highlighting the struggle between traditional expectations and modern ideals.
Excerpt: “I am the woman who has come to stay, I speak my mind and do not obey.”
Analysis: Millay’s poem playfully suggests that women, now free from traditional roles, are ready to take on new challenges. Through humor, Millay critiques the conflicting expectations placed on women—showing the difficulty of reconciling society’s old ideas with the new wave of female empowerment.
10. “Pretty Women” by W.S. Gilbert
Gilbert’s Pretty Women humorously celebrates the beauty of women while acknowledging the absurdity of how society elevates them. The poem is filled with light sarcasm, poking fun at the adoration and attention women receive for their looks.
Excerpt: “Pretty women are so fine, They make the world a brighter sign.”
Analysis: Through playful language and humor, Gilbert highlights the superficial ways in which women are often admired. The humor lies in his gentle sarcasm, as he presents the idea that while beauty is adored, it often overshadows other qualities that make women remarkable.
11. “The Female of the Species” by Rudyard Kipling
In The Female of the Species, Kipling offers a witty and somewhat ironic view of women, emphasizing their strength and complexity. The poem contrasts the perceived fragility of women with the power they truly possess.
Excerpt: “The female of the species is more deadly than the male.”
Analysis: Kipling uses humor to express the idea that women, often seen as the weaker sex, can be far more formidable than men in many situations. This ironic twist plays on societal perceptions of women, offering a humorous take on their strength and resilience.
12. “The Woman Who Speaks” by Nikki Giovanni
Giovanni’s The Woman Who Speaks is a powerful yet humorous commentary on the expectations placed on women to be quiet and docile. Through humor and rhythm, she flips the script, celebrating the loud, confident voices of women.
Excerpt: “I speak, I laugh, I shout— And no one can stop me now!”
Analysis: Giovanni uses humor to celebrate women’s voices, rejecting the stereotype that women must be silent or submissive. Through her rhythmic and bold language, she empowers women to speak up and take space in the world.
13. “The Ballad of the Woman Who Found Everything” by James McDonald
McDonald’s The Ballad of the Woman Who Found Everything humorously tells the story of a woman who has everything she could possibly want, only to discover that she still feels unfulfilled.
Excerpt: “She had a house, she had a man, She had it all—yet still she ran.”
Analysis: This humorous ballad plays on the idea that material wealth and success don’t guarantee happiness. McDonald’s use of irony highlights the inner complexity of women, showing that their desires and experiences cannot be reduced to possessions or societal norms.
14. “Advice to Women” by W.H. Auden
Auden’s Advice to Women offers humorous yet sincere advice to women on how to live their lives. Through clever wordplay and ironic suggestions, Auden touches on the absurdities women often face.
Excerpt: “Take a lover who’s tall and kind, But be sure to keep him on a leash.”
Analysis: Auden uses humor to discuss the challenges and contradictions women face in relationships. The playful advice highlights the humor in how relationships are often viewed by society, presenting a light-hearted take on the complexities of love and partnership.
Conclusion
These 14 funny poems explore the multifaceted nature of women through humor, shedding light on both their strengths and their flaws. Whether through satire, irony, or playful exaggeration, these poets use humor to challenge societal norms, celebrate women’s complexity, and encourage readers to laugh while reflecting on the female experience.
