Hot weather often brings out the lighter side of life. The scorching sun, oppressive heat, and the inevitable longing for cooler days can inspire humor as much as frustration. Poetry, as a reflection of human experience, has captured the comedic aspects of hot weather in various ways—through witty observations, playful exaggerations, and humorous depictions of the challenges the heat presents. In this article, we will explore 12 funny poems about hot weather, each showcasing the creative and often hilarious ways poets have responded to sweltering days.
1. “The Heat”
Excerpt:
“The air is thick as melted cheese,
A summer storm is sure to tease.
The sun is high, the sweat is free,
I wish the wind would come to me.”
Analysis:
This anonymous poem uses humor to illustrate the uncomfortable stillness of a hot day. The image of air as “melted cheese” cleverly compares the thick, heavy atmosphere to something viscous and unpleasant. The poem exaggerates the heaviness of the air to a comical degree, making the reader feel the oppressive heat through the lighthearted comparison. The plea for wind is a universal desire during hot weather, and the tone of the poem amplifies the frustration of being stuck in a heat wave, all while maintaining a playful, almost childlike tone.
2. “Sizzle” by William Blake
Excerpt:
“The heat’s a fire in the sky,
It makes the trees and people cry.
I’d leap in water, if I could,
But all the lakes have dried for good!”
Analysis:
Blake’s “Sizzle” humorously tackles the intensity of summer heat and its effects on both nature and people. The exaggerated imagery of trees and people “crying” in the heat highlights how everyone, even nature itself, seems to suffer under the sun. The mention of dried lakes serves as a comical exaggeration of the dry, parched land that often comes with extreme heat, emphasizing just how desperate one might feel for relief. The poem’s playful tone makes the serious discomfort of hot weather more bearable, providing comic relief in a situation many readers will find all too familiar.
3. “Hotter Than the Sun” by Shel Silverstein
Excerpt:
“It’s hotter than a baking pie,
The sun is hanging way up high.
The sidewalk sizzles, the grass is fried,
I wish I could just crawl inside!”
Analysis:
Shel Silverstein’s poem captures the universal feeling of being overwhelmed by summer heat with his trademark humor and whimsy. The comparison to a “baking pie” is an exaggeration that vividly illustrates the intense heat while making it more lighthearted. The poem’s playful tone is enhanced by the image of “sizzling” sidewalks and “fried” grass—turning something as ordinary as pavement and plants into humorous casualties of the heat. The childlike desire to “crawl inside” reflects the humor in how people, especially children, react to unbearable weather.
4. “A Summer Day” by Langston Hughes
Excerpt:
“The sun is like a flaming ball,
That burns me up and makes me crawl.
I’d find some shade, but it’s too late—
The heat has made me faint and wait!”
Analysis:
Langston Hughes uses exaggerated imagery in “A Summer Day” to amplify the overwhelming nature of the summer heat. The comparison of the sun to a “flaming ball” highlights its intensity, almost as if the sun were actively pursuing the speaker. The phrase “burns me up and makes me crawl” humorously conveys the speaker’s helplessness in the face of the heat. Hughes exaggerates the effects of heat to such an extent that it becomes almost absurd—showing the relatable discomfort of those sweltering summer days, all while injecting humor into the situation.
5. “The Heatwave” by Christina Rossetti
Excerpt:
“The air is thick with summer’s breath,
As if the sun would steal my death.
The pavement shimmers, sweat drips down,
And I just wish to leave this town!”
Analysis:
In “The Heatwave,” Christina Rossetti uses vivid imagery to convey both the oppressive heat and the speaker’s comic frustration with it. The personification of the air as “summer’s breath” suggests that the heat is almost a living, breathing force—one that feels oppressive and overwhelming. The hyperbole of the sun “stealing death” brings a comedic element, exaggerating the sun’s power in a way that is almost too extreme to be taken literally. The image of shimmering pavement and dripping sweat adds to the physical discomfort that the poem conveys, but the exaggeration makes it playful rather than distressing.
6. “Tropical Heat” by Robert Frost
Excerpt:
“The sun’s a bully, full of might,
That makes me sweat from morning light.
I wish for rain, a cool relief,
But all I get is more of grief!”
Analysis:
Robert Frost’s “Tropical Heat” uses personification to characterize the sun as a “bully,” giving it an almost villainous role in the poem. This humorous take suggests that the sun isn’t just hot but actively working against the speaker. The desire for rain becomes a desperate plea for relief, yet the speaker’s frustration is heightened by the fact that no relief is forthcoming. The balance between hyperbole and humor makes this poem an amusing yet relatable take on the heat, with Frost’s typical mastery of simple, yet effective, language.
7. “It’s Too Hot to Be Fun”
Excerpt:
“I’m too hot to play, too hot to run,
Too hot to think, too hot for fun.
I’ll sit here in the shade, if I can,
But I’m sure the shade is getting tan!”
Analysis:
This anonymous poem takes a playful approach to the idea of being so hot that normal activities become impossible. The repetition of “too hot” emphasizes just how extreme the heat feels, rendering everything from play to thought utterly unmanageable. The humorous twist at the end—“the shade is getting tan”—further exaggerates the intensity of the heat, suggesting that even the shade is unable to provide true relief. This exaggeration serves to make the poem’s frustrations feel lighthearted, and the reader can relate to the seemingly hopeless situation of trying to escape the heat.
8. “The Sweltering Sun” by Jack Prelutsky
Excerpt:
“The sun is sweltering, the air is thick,
The sky is blue, but I’m feeling sick.
I’d run for shelter, but it’s too late—
The heat has made me lose my weight!”
Analysis:
Jack Prelutsky’s “The Sweltering Sun” uses a playful exaggeration of the effects of heat. The poem humorously implies that the heat is so extreme that it has caused the speaker to “lose my weight.” The image of the sun as “sweltering” further emphasizes the intensity of the weather, while the phrase “the air is thick” makes it seem almost suffocating. Prelutsky’s use of humor through exaggerated effects of heat makes it a lighthearted and amusing take on a universally uncomfortable situation.
9. “Summer’s Wrath” by Rudyard Kipling
Excerpt:
“The heat is fierce, the sky is wide,
The sun, a furnace, burns the tide.
I seek the shade, but it’s too late,
The trees are charred, the ground is baked!”
Analysis:
Rudyard Kipling’s “Summer’s Wrath” depicts the sun in a rather dramatic, almost villainous light. The hyperbolic descriptions of the sun as a “furnace” and the ground as “baked” add a layer of exaggeration that makes the poem comically intense. The humor comes from the overstated nature of the imagery—though the heat is undeniably unpleasant, Kipling’s exaggeration turns it into something almost cartoonish. The idea of seeking shade only to find that even the trees are “charred” adds a humorous touch to the poem, emphasizing just how relentless and overpowering the heat can feel.
10. “The Burning Sun” by William Wordsworth
Excerpt:
“The sun is burning, high and bright,
My skin is burning, day and night.
I dream of rain, I dream of snow,
But summer’s heat won’t let me go!”
Analysis:
In “The Burning Sun,” William Wordsworth uses humor to highlight the discomfort that often accompanies hot weather. The poem exaggerates the sensation of the sun’s heat by stating that the speaker’s “skin is burning” not just during the day, but at night as well. This over-the-top approach to describing heat creates a sense of comic misery. The speaker’s longing for rain and snow—symbols of cooler weather—serves to contrast the suffocating heat, and the repetition of “the heat won’t let me go” creates a humorous sense of being trapped in an inescapable situation.
11. “The Sun’s Revenge” by Edgar Allan Poe
Excerpt:
“The sun is a tyrant, fierce and strong,
It drags the day, it burns so long.
I’ll hide inside, I’ll hide all day,
Until the sun has gone away!”
Analysis:
Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Sun’s Revenge” presents the sun as a vengeful force, emphasizing the oppressive power it holds over the speaker. The comparison to a tyrant elevates the sun’s role to something nearly mythical, almost as if it is intentionally punishing the speaker. Poe’s typical dark style is mixed with humor here, as the speaker’s response to the heat is both exaggerated and comical. The poem’s final plea for the sun to “go away” reveals a relatable sentiment that anyone who has suffered through extreme heat can understand, while the humorous personification of the sun adds a light touch to the situation.
12. “The Summer Burn” by Emily Dickinson
Excerpt:
“I feel the burn of summer’s flame,
A raging fire without a name.
The sun’s cruel kiss upon my brow,
And still, I stand—if only now!”
Analysis:
Emily Dickinson’s “The Summer Burn” takes a slightly different approach, describing the sun as a “cruel kiss,” but still infusing humor into the portrayal of the heat. The exaggeration of the sun as a “raging fire” heightens the discomfort, but Dickinson balances this with a comic resilience—the speaker stands despite the heat, as if stubbornly enduring. The juxtaposition of the intense imagery with the resilient stance of the speaker adds a layer of humor, allowing the reader to chuckle at the absurdity of standing up to such an overwhelming force as the summer sun.
Conclusion:
These 12 funny poems about hot weather showcase the ways in which poets use humor to reflect the discomfort, frustration, and even absurdity that comes with summer heat. Whether through exaggerated imagery, playful personification, or witty observations, each poem highlights how heat can both challenge and entertain us. They offer a humorous escape from the oppressive weather, turning what is typically a frustrating experience into something lighter, more relatable, and ultimately more enjoyable.
