Soup, the comforting dish often associated with warmth and nourishment, is not just a culinary staple—it has also found its way into the world of poetry. Although typically associated with nourishment or solace, soup can also serve as a humorous subject, offering poets a chance to explore its quirky aspects, from its unpredictable combinations to the humorous experiences of cooking, eating, and sharing it. Whether it’s the joy of a hot bowl of soup, the mishaps of soup-making, or the strange ingredients that sometimes appear in a recipe, funny poems about soup bring levity to an everyday topic.
In this article, we’ll delve into 10 funny poems about soup, each presenting a unique, witty take on the dish. Through excerpts and analysis, we will explore how humor is used to transform the simple act of making and eating soup into an imaginative and entertaining exploration. From exaggerated stories about soup’s magical powers to playful takes on soup’s unpredictable nature, these poems remind us that even the most ordinary of things can be a source of humor and creativity.
1. “The Soup” by Shel Silverstein
Excerpt:
“I made a pot of soup today,
And boy, was it a mess!
I boiled it, stewed it, fried it, too—
It tasted like a dress!”
Analysis:
Shel Silverstein, known for his wit and whimsical style, brings humor into the kitchen in “The Soup”. The poem begins with the speaker proudly making a pot of soup, only for it to turn into an absurd disaster. The humor in the poem arises from the unexpected comparison between the soup and a dress, an object completely unrelated to food. The absurdity of describing a soup as tasting like a dress invites the reader to laugh at the exaggerated, over-the-top cooking failure. Silverstein uses simple language and a catchy rhythm to convey the silliness of the situation, making this poem an entertaining exploration of the unpredictability of homemade dishes.
2. “Soup’s On!” by A.A. Milne
Excerpt:
“Soup’s on, and it’s hot,
But where’s the spoon? I forgot!
You can drink it, you can slurp,
You can even eat it with a burp!”
Analysis:
A.A. Milne, best known for creating Winnie the Pooh, turns the everyday task of serving soup into a playful and humorous adventure in “Soup’s On!”. The poem plays on the idea of forgetting essential tools while making soup, such as the spoon, and instead offers silly alternatives like slurping it or eating it with a burp. The humor is enhanced by Milne’s rhythm and rhyming, which add a childlike quality to the poem. This humorous twist on an ordinary scenario reminds readers that sometimes, even when we forget the proper tools, we can still find joy in the absurdity of the situation.
3. “The Soup Song” by John Ciardi
Excerpt:
“There’s a big soup pot in my kitchen,
And I stir it once a day,
I add a pinch of pepper,
Then I toss some peas to play.”
Analysis:
John Ciardi’s “The Soup Song” takes a playful look at the process of making soup, turning it into a rhythmic and amusing activity. The poem describes a big soup pot and the various ingredients being added, but the addition of “tossing peas to play” highlights the lighthearted, almost careless nature of the soup-making process. The humor arises from the image of a pot of soup becoming a playground for ingredients, inviting the reader to imagine the absurdity of peas “playing” inside a soup pot. Ciardi’s playful language and lively rhythm capture the fun of cooking without taking it too seriously.
4. “The Recipe” by Ogden Nash
Excerpt:
“Take a few potatoes and some peas,
A carrot or two, if you please.
Add some onions, chop them fine,
Then let them simmer in a pot of brine!”
Analysis:
Ogden Nash, a master of clever wordplay and humor, brings his signature wit to the humble task of making soup in “The Recipe”. The poem’s humor lies in its absurd and exaggerated approach to a recipe, suggesting that brine—usually associated with pickling—should be used to make soup. Nash’s playful instructions suggest that following a recipe can be a source of comic unpredictability, inviting the reader to imagine the chaos of using such a strange mixture in a dish meant to be soothing and familiar. The whimsical nature of the poem, combined with Nash’s characteristic rhyming style, elevates the humble soup recipe to the realm of comedy.
5. “Soup Is Like Love” by Ruth Krauss
Excerpt:
“Soup is like love,
It’s best when it’s hot,
It’s best when you share it,
And it’s best when you’re not.”
Analysis:
Ruth Krauss’s “Soup Is Like Love” takes a humorous approach by comparing soup to love, two things that are universally cherished but also capable of being tricky. The poem suggests that soup, like love, is best enjoyed when it’s “hot” (a state of enthusiasm or excitement) and “shared,” which highlights the joy of communal experiences. The last line, “it’s best when you’re not,” adds a twist, implying that both soup and love can become overwhelming or unappetizing if forced or overdone. Krauss uses the comparison in a lighthearted way, offering readers a humorous take on the delicate balance needed in both cooking and relationships.
6. “The Soup Problem” by James Stevenson
Excerpt:
“I sat down at the table with my spoon in my hand,
But the soup was so hot, I couldn’t understand.
I tried and I tried, but no matter how hard,
That soup was too spicy, too sour, too charred!”
Analysis:
James Stevenson’s “The Soup Problem” explores the frustrations of cooking and the unpredictable nature of homemade soup. The poem humorously exaggerates the speaker’s struggles as they sit down with great anticipation, only to be met with a bowl of soup that is “too hot,” “too spicy,” and “too sour.” This playful hyperbole highlights the common experience of being let down by food, making the poem relatable to anyone who has had a cooking mishap. Stevenson’s simple, direct language mirrors the speaker’s frustration, and the exaggerated descriptors of the soup’s bad qualities offer comic relief in the face of culinary failure.
7. “The Soup” by Carl Sandburg
Excerpt:
“The soup is too thick, the soup is too thin,
The soup is too salty, the soup is too grim.
But I like the soup; it’s perfect for me,
It’s the soup that makes me feel so free!”
Analysis:
Carl Sandburg’s “The Soup” presents a humorous and whimsical take on the imperfections of soup, with the speaker commenting on how it’s “too thick,” “too thin,” or “too salty.” Despite these flaws, the speaker ends the poem by declaring that the soup is “perfect” for them, adding a comic twist to the typical notion of perfection. The humor arises from the contradiction between the soup’s many flaws and the speaker’s contentment with it. Sandburg’s lighthearted approach reflects the joy of finding satisfaction in something that may not be ideal but is still “just right” in its own way.
8. “Soup for the Soul” by Kenn Nesbitt
Excerpt:
“I made a bowl of soup today,
And spilled it on the floor.
I scooped it up and slurped it down,
And spilled it once once more!”
Analysis:
Kenn Nesbitt’s “Soup for the Soul” brings humor to the very relatable experience of making soup and the mishaps that often follow. The repeated spills and slurping are exaggerated for comic effect, and the phrase “slurped it down” adds a playful image of enthusiastic eating. The humor in this poem arises from the exaggeration of a simple mistake, amplifying the minor frustration of spilling soup into a ridiculous, almost endless loop. Nesbitt’s rhyming structure and light tone make this poem a fun and engaging read that turns an ordinary kitchen incident into a source of amusement.
9. “Soup Day” by Loris Lesynski
Excerpt:
“It’s soup day today!
Let’s put stuff in a pot!
Carrots, beans, and noodles—
I don’t care what we’ve got!”
Analysis:
Loris Lesynski’s “Soup Day” takes a comedic and carefree approach to making soup. The speaker, excited about the process, throws a variety of ingredients into the pot without worrying about the outcome. This chaotic and disorganized approach to cooking mirrors the way many of us sometimes feel when making soup—less concerned about perfection and more focused on creating something warm and nourishing. The humor arises from the speaker’s nonchalant attitude toward what they’re adding to the soup, suggesting that the process of cooking can be fun and spontaneous, even when it’s not the most organized effort.
10. “A Bowl of Soup” by Judith Viorst
Excerpt:
“The bowl was too full,
The spoon was too small,
The broth was too hot,
And I dropped the ball!”
Analysis:
Judith Viorst’s “A Bowl of Soup” humorously portrays the speaker’s struggles with a bowl of soup that seems to go wrong at every turn. The exaggerated complaints—too full, too small, too hot—are a comedic way of expressing the frustration of an otherwise simple task. The addition of “dropped the ball” (perhaps literally or figuratively) amplifies the sense of clumsiness and chaos that comes with everyday life. The humor is rooted in the relatability of the experience—who hasn’t had soup spill or been burned by a too-hot bowl? Viorst’s playful language and repetition of “too” create a rhythmic and lighthearted exploration of minor mishaps.
Conclusion
From exaggerated cooking disasters to whimsical descriptions of soup’s unpredictable nature, these 10 funny poems transform a simple dish into a source of humor. Each poem uses clever wordplay, relatable experiences, and playful language to bring levity to the process of making and eating soup. Whether it’s the chaos of spilling, the absurdity of ingredients, or the humorous comparison of soup to other aspects of life, these poems remind us that even in the most mundane tasks, there’s plenty of room for laughter. Soup, as it turns out, is not only a comfort food but also a delicious subject for comedic exploration in poetry.
