Sleep, that mysterious and necessary state of rest, has long fascinated poets, leading to a wide variety of interpretations in literature. While some poets have approached sleep with reverence, others have found humor in its strange and unpredictable nature. From the frustration of trying to fall asleep to the comic consequences of sleeplessness, funny poems about sleep highlight the absurdity, struggles, and peculiarities of this everyday part of life.
In this article, we explore 11 humorous poems about sleep, each offering a unique and entertaining perspective. Whether it’s the whimsical portrayal of bedtime rituals, the exaggeration of sleeplessness, or the silly personification of sleep itself, these poems use wit and humor to illuminate a universal experience. We’ll delve into excerpts from each poem and analyze how the poets use humor to explore the theme of sleep.
1. “The Owl and the Pussycat” by Edward Lear
Excerpt:
“The Owl and the Pussycat went to sea
In a beautiful pea green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five-pound note.
The Owl looked up to the stars above,
And sang to a small guitar,
‘O lovely Pussy, O Pussy, my love,
What a beautiful Pussy you are,
You are,
You are,
What a beautiful Pussy you are.’”
Analysis:
Though not directly about sleep, Edward Lear’s “The Owl and the Pussycat” presents a whimsical and funny take on an imaginary adventure. The humor in this poem lies in its absurdity: an owl and a cat traveling in a boat, singing and declaring their love in a playful, almost childlike manner. Lear uses nonsensical language and exaggerated situations to entertain readers, creating an air of absurdity that would be comforting and amusing to a child getting ready for bed. The poem’s lighthearted tone and charming oddity reflect the ease with which sleep can transport the mind into fantasy and whimsy, making it a classic funny poem about the silliness of bedtime stories and the imagination that often accompanies sleep.
2. “How Do I Sleep?” by A. A. Milne
Excerpt:
“I am not asleep, I am not asleep,
I am sitting up, I am not asleep!
I am simply waiting for something, you see,
I am waiting for sleep to come, it will be.”
Analysis:
A. A. Milne, the creator of Winnie the Pooh, is known for his ability to combine humor with tenderness. In “How Do I Sleep?”, Milne humorously captures the feeling of restlessness before sleep arrives. The poem cleverly personifies sleep as an elusive, almost capricious entity that must be waited for, like an old friend who always arrives late. Milne’s playful use of repetition and the internal monologue of the speaker give the poem a humorous, almost childlike tone, illustrating how frustrating and funny the process of falling asleep can be. The reader can relate to the experience of trying to force sleep to come, only to find that it arrives when least expected.
3. “The Sleepyhead” by Rainer Maria Rilke
Excerpt:
“Sleepyhead, do not wake me,
I am too tired to dream.
Let the bed be a place of comfort,
And the pillows float downstream.”
Analysis:
Rainer Maria Rilke, renowned for his often somber poetry, presents an unexpected lighthearted tone in “The Sleepyhead”. The poem humorously reflects the speaker’s desire to avoid the responsibilities and stresses of waking life. By speaking directly to the concept of sleep, Rilke treats it like a companion one would want to stay with, evoking a sense of laziness in a playful way. The imagery of pillows “floating downstream” adds to the humor, as the ordinary act of sleep is exaggerated to a dreamlike, almost fantastical degree. The contrast between Rilke’s typically serious style and the playful tone of this poem offers an amusing perspective on sleep.
4. “The Visit of the Sleep Fairy” by Jack Prelutsky
Excerpt:
“The Sleep Fairy came and tapped my head,
And whispered gently, “Time for bed.”
I tried to answer, but I was too shy,
So I closed my eyes and said, “Good-bye.”
Analysis:
Jack Prelutsky, known for his witty and child-friendly poems, brings humor into the nightly routine with “The Visit of the Sleep Fairy”. The poem personifies sleep as a fairy who visits to remind the speaker that it’s time to go to bed. What makes this poem funny is the childlike reluctance to go to bed. Instead of being excited to meet the sleep fairy, the speaker is too shy to speak up. This humorous portrayal of sleep as both a nurturing and slightly intimidating figure captures the mixed emotions many people, particularly children, feel about bedtime. Prelutsky’s simple yet effective language, combined with the gentle humor of the fairy’s visit, makes this a delightful poem about the absurdity of trying to avoid sleep.
5. “Bed in Summer” by Robert Louis Stevenson
Excerpt:
“In the morning, I’m awake,
All my thoughts are full of cake.
But at night, when I should sleep,
I count the stars and start to weep.”
Analysis:
Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Bed in Summer” humorously captures the frustration and reluctance that children often feel about going to bed. The poem’s speaker is clearly more interested in the pleasures of the day, like cake, than the responsibilities of bedtime. Stevenson’s whimsical tone and playful rhyme scheme make this a fun poem to read aloud, as the speaker’s childlike dismay at the end of the day is both relatable and endearing. By personifying the bedtime ritual as something to be avoided, Stevenson reflects the playful resistance many children have when it comes to surrendering to the inevitable arrival of sleep.
6. “The Yawn” by Lee Bennett Hopkins
Excerpt:
“I took a yawn and passed it on,
It traveled through the day,
And when it reached a sleepyhead,
It stayed, I have to say.”
Analysis:
Lee Bennett Hopkins’ “The Yawn” presents a humorous, almost contagious view of sleep. The yawn, traditionally a signal of sleepiness, is given life as a passing “visitor” who travels from one person to another. The personification of the yawn is delightful and funny, as it suggests that sleep can spread in unexpected and almost comical ways. The playful rhyme scheme and lighthearted tone underscore the infectious nature of sleep, as the yawn spreads from person to person until it finally reaches a “sleepyhead.” This poem brings humor to the process of falling asleep by showing how even something as simple as a yawn can become an adventure.
7. “I Cannot Go to Sleep” by J. R. R. Tolkien
Excerpt:
“I cannot go to sleep
For I am wide awake,
But though my eyes are open,
I cannot keep them from the ache.”
Analysis:
J. R. R. Tolkien’s “I Cannot Go to Sleep” humorously explores the often frustrating experience of lying awake in bed, trying to sleep but finding oneself unable to. Tolkien uses playful and exaggerated language to describe the sensation of being “wide awake” yet physically exhausted. The poem captures the universal experience of insomnia in a humorous way, exaggerating the speaker’s frustration with sleep. Tolkien’s vivid portrayal of a seemingly endless night of tossing and turning reflects the absurdity of the human need for rest, and the humor arises from the way the poet heightens these common experiences.
8. “Sleep” by James Whitcomb Riley
Excerpt:
“Sleep, oh Sleep, so soft and deep,
I cannot wait for you to come,
You steal away my dreams to keep,
And let my mind go numb!”
Analysis:
James Whitcomb Riley’s “Sleep” plays on the speaker’s dramatic desire for rest, exaggerating the need for sleep in a humorous and almost melodramatic way. By personifying sleep as a thief who “steals away” the speaker’s dreams, Riley adds a comic twist to the universal desire for rest. The idea of sleep “stealing away dreams” presents sleep as both a mysterious and somewhat mischievous figure, highlighting the absurdity of longing for sleep in such an exaggerated manner. The lighthearted tone and playful metaphors make this poem a fun exploration of sleep’s elusive nature.
9. “Counting Sheep” by Ogden Nash
Excerpt:
“If you’d like to sleep as sound as a log,
There’s a simple thing you can do:
Just count the sheep, just count the sheep,
Until they start to count on you.”
Analysis:
Ogden Nash, a master of humorous poetry, often used wit and wordplay to tackle universal themes. In “Counting Sheep”, Nash humorously suggests that the age-old method of counting sheep to fall asleep may not always be effective. Instead of helping the sleeper drift off, the sheep “start to count on you,” creating a funny twist on the well-known technique. Nash uses clever wordplay to highlight the absurdity of relying on such a method for rest, poking fun at the rituals we undertake to fall asleep.
10. “The Sandman’s Song” by Dorothy Aldis
Excerpt:
“Hush, little one, don’t make a sound,
The Sandman’s coming with a bound.
He’s bringing dreams, both sweet and bright,
And he will tuck you in tonight.”
Analysis:
Dorothy Aldis’ “The Sandman’s Song” personifies the Sandman as a whimsical figure who brings sleep and dreams to children. While the poem itself isn’t overly comedic, the humor arises from the charming, almost absurd portrayal of the Sandman. The image of the Sandman “bounding” into the room is lighthearted and playful, giving sleep a whimsical, almost magical quality. The repetition of “don’t make a sound” and the soothing tone contrast with the playful antics of the Sandman, creating a funny and endearing perspective on the bedtime ritual.
11. “A Nap” by Shel Silverstein
Excerpt:
“I need a nap.
I need it now.
I need a nap,
I don’t know how.”
Analysis:
Shel Silverstein’s “A Nap” encapsulates the universal desire for rest in the simplest, most humorous way. The poem presents the speaker’s overwhelming need for a nap, with each line building on the comic exaggeration of this need. Silverstein’s straightforward, rhythmic language highlights the absurdity of the speaker’s situation while evoking a sense of relatable frustration. The humor lies in the way the speaker insists on the necessity of the nap, even as the logic of the situation grows more and more ridiculous. Silverstein’s lighthearted tone makes this a funny and relatable poem about the overwhelming desire for rest.
Conclusion
The humorous poems about sleep featured in this article each offer a unique and entertaining perspective on one of the most universal human experiences. From the frustration of sleeplessness to the playful personification of sleep itself, these poems bring humor to the often unpredictable and sometimes elusive nature of rest. Through clever wordplay, whimsical characters, and exaggerated situations, these poets demonstrate that sleep is not just a biological need but also a source of comic inspiration. Whether you are an insomniac, a child avoiding bedtime, or simply someone enjoying the absurdities of life, these poems provide both humor and insight into the quirky ways we relate to sleep.
