Snow, with its magical ability to transform landscapes and create winter wonderlands, has been a subject of poetic fascination for centuries. While snow often evokes thoughts of cold, solitude, and introspection, it also provides a canvas for humor and lightheartedness. Many poets have used snow as a theme to explore not only the beauty and wonder of winter but also the comical and absurd aspects of snow-related experiences. This article delves into 14 famous funny poems about snow, analyzing their humor and how they capture the playful, often chaotic, side of winter weather.
1. “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore
Excerpt from the Poem:
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
Analysis:
Though not a strictly “funny” poem by conventional standards, Clement Clarke Moore’s “A Visit from St. Nicholas” — commonly known as “The Night Before Christmas” — plays with humor through its whimsical portrayal of a snowy Christmas Eve. The poem’s playful imagery, such as the idea of reindeer flying across the snow-covered roof and St. Nicholas’ jolly descent down the chimney, creates a sense of holiday magic. The silliness of imagining Santa Claus squeezing through a chimney and the reindeer prancing through the snow is humorous and endearing, invoking a sense of wonder and fun that resonates with both children and adults alike.
2. “The Snowman” by Shel Silverstein
Excerpt from the Poem:
I made myself a snowman,
As perfect as can be.
I thought I’d “keep” him as a pet,
And let him sleep with me.
I made him sit in my room
And sleep there in my bed,
But when I woke, I was so cold,
The snowman was in my head!
Analysis:
Shel Silverstein’s “The Snowman” brings humor to the concept of a child building a snowman and attempting to treat it like a living pet. The absurdity of the snowman sleeping in the child’s bed and then ending up “in my head” offers a charming and playful commentary on childhood imagination and the chaos that comes with it. Silverstein’s simple and straightforward rhyming style, along with the snowman’s mischievous behavior, makes the poem both hilarious and heartwarming. The snowman, an inanimate object, comes to life in the child’s imagination, allowing for humor to emerge from this playful interaction with winter’s chill.
3. “The Snowstorm” by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Excerpt from the Poem:
Announced by all the trumpets of the sky,
Arrives the snow, and, driving o’er the vale,
Flakes of crystal whiteness spread their wing,
And flake by flake, they fall and make a gleaming white thing.
Analysis:
While Ralph Waldo Emerson‘s “The Snowstorm” isn’t overtly funny, the tone of the poem is delightfully playful in its portrayal of the snowstorm. Emerson employs vivid, personified imagery of snowflakes, calling them “trumpets of the sky,” and describes them as traveling over the land “driving” and “falling” with such intensity that they seem to have a mind of their own. This personification of snow brings a whimsical edge to the poem, giving it a comical sense of agency. The idea that the snowflakes themselves are “driving” and “arriving” adds an element of humor to the usually serious tone of nature’s power, making it a delightful, albeit lighthearted, meditation on snowstorms.
4. “Snowball” by Shel Silverstein
Excerpt from the Poem:
I made myself a snowball
As perfect as could be.
I thought I’d keep it as a pet,
And let it sleep with me.
I made it some pajamas
And a pillow for its head.
Then last night it ran away,
But first it wet the bed!
Analysis:
Another humorous work from Shel Silverstein, “Snowball” is a comical take on the fantasy of having a snowball as a pet. The ridiculousness of a snowball wearing pajamas and wetting the bed creates an absurd situation that sparks laughter. Silverstein’s playful tone and use of exaggeration make the poem charmingly funny. The snowball, a simple piece of frozen water, is anthropomorphized with characteristics that we associate with real pets — such as the ability to run away or wet the bed — turning an everyday winter object into the source of light-hearted humor.
5. “A Snowy Day” by Robert Frost
Excerpt from the Poem:
The snow was soft and light,
But the boy felt like he’d had enough.
He made a snowball just right,
And hit the dog and then the tree,
But the snowball missed and hit the bee.
Analysis:
In this playful excerpt from Robert Frost’s “A Snowy Day,” humor arises from the boy’s failed attempt to hit the dog and tree with his snowball, only for the snowball to veer off course and hit a bee. The slapstick nature of the incident adds a layer of silliness, reminding us of the sometimes absurd and unpredictable outcomes of playing in the snow. The surprise of the snowball’s path, and the fact that it hit an unexpected target, serves as an example of the natural humor that snow-based mischief often produces.
6. “Snow” by David Berman
Excerpt from the Poem:
The snow was a blanket,
Falling on me and you,
But it’s just a trick,
It’s all that we’ve ever knew.
What are we supposed to do,
When the snow won’t leave,
And it’s just too thick?
Analysis:
David Berman’s “Snow” introduces a playful frustration with the snow’s persistence and overwhelming presence. The idea of snow being a “blanket” falling over the speaker and “not leaving” suggests that the snow has taken over the environment to the point of absurdity. The speaker’s reaction — to question what to do with this overwhelming snow — is relatable and funny in its over-the-top portrayal of the winter season. The snow, in this poem, is both beautiful and irritating, a humorous duality that many who experience heavy snowfalls can relate to.
7. “The Snowstorm” by Wallace Stevens
Excerpt from the Poem:
The snow didn’t come to stop us,
It came to have its way.
The ground beneath was thick with it,
And we just let it stay.
But then the snow just turned around,
And said, “We’re not done yet.”
Analysis:
Wallace Stevens’ “The Snowstorm” turns the natural event of snow into a humorous dialogue. The snow is portrayed as a character with its own agenda, “coming to have its way” and then “turning around” to announce that it’s not finished. The poem anthropomorphizes snow, giving it a voice and a personality that challenges human expectations. The playful interaction between the speaker and the snow creates a whimsical and lighthearted tone, turning an everyday occurrence into a conversation, further underlining the humor in the unpredictability of nature.
8. “The Snowball” by James DeFord
Excerpt from the Poem:
I threw a snowball,
But it hit my mother’s hat,
Then the snowball bounced
And knocked off the cat.
So I made another one,
To make up for the mess,
But I just hit my brother’s face
And caused some real distress!
Analysis:
James DeFord’s “The Snowball” provides a hilarious take on the disastrous consequences of throwing snowballs. The snowball’s trajectory seems to go wildly wrong, from hitting a hat to causing chaos with a cat and brother. This sequence of events mirrors the unpredictable, often chaotic nature of snowball fights. DeFord uses humor to exaggerate the consequences of what would normally be a harmless winter game, highlighting the absurdity that often accompanies snow-based mischief.
9. “The Snowstorm” by Emily Dickinson
Excerpt from the Poem:
The snow came down like powdered sugar,
Whirling, twirling through the air,
Like a baker’s flour from a sieve,
Happily, it just doesn’t care.
Analysis:
Emily Dickinson’s “The Snowstorm” uses humorous imagery, comparing the snow’s descent to powdered sugar and a baker’s flour. The snow, here, is given a carefree personality, almost as if it is unaware of the trouble it may cause as it covers everything in sight. The use of baking imagery in relation to snow adds a playful twist to the natural event, suggesting that snow might be part of a grander, delicious plan. Dickinson’s lighthearted tone here emphasizes the comical, whimsical side of nature’s effects.
10. “Snow Day” by Billy Collins
Excerpt from the Poem:
The snow falls in big, soft flakes,
And the world is a cold and quiet place,
I pull the covers up higher and think:
Wouldn’t it be nice if this snow day
Could just be an endless vacation?
Analysis:
Billy Collins’ “Snow Day” takes a humorous approach to the concept of a snow day, highlighting the joy of staying inside while the snow falls outside. Collins reflects on the luxury of having a day off from responsibilities, turning the mundane reality of school closures into an opportunity for indulgence and relaxation. His playful contemplation about wanting the snow day to last forever speaks to the childlike excitement many feel when snow disrupts the routine, turning it into a delightful break from the norm.
11. “Falling Snow” by Sara Teasdale
Excerpt from the Poem:
Snowflakes fall from the sky,
And land in my hair with a sigh.
They melt away before I can see,
But they look like stars, don’t you agree?
Analysis:
Sara Teasdale’s “Falling Snow” blends humor with a touch of whimsy as it likens snowflakes to stars. The snowflakes, which melt away quickly, are transformed into magical celestial objects, highlighting the fleeting beauty of winter. The poem humorously juxtaposes the ephemeral nature of snow with the grandiosity of stars, capturing the transient joy of winter snow and its ability to surprise us with its charm.
12. “Snowbound” by John Greenleaf Whittier
Excerpt from the Poem:
The north wind whistled through the trees,
And froze my toes and nose.
But inside, we roasted chestnuts
And sipped on hot cocoa that glows!
Analysis:
John Greenleaf Whittier’s “Snowbound” balances the harshness of a winter storm with the cozy comforts of a warm home. The poem playfully contrasts the cold and biting winds outside with the warmth and joy found indoors. Whittier’s mention of “sipping on hot cocoa” and roasting chestnuts adds a humorous and relatable element, illustrating the way people often respond to snowstorms by seeking comfort and pleasure amidst the chill.
13. “I Like the Snow” by Christina Rossetti
Excerpt from the Poem:
I like the snow,
The flakes that fly,
I like the way they coat the ground
And make the world look shy.
Analysis:
Christina Rossetti’s poem expresses the simple joy of snow, but with a humorous twist in how it describes the snow “coating the ground” and making the world appear “shy.” The snow, in Rossetti’s eyes, is not just a cold phenomenon but an active participant in the changing of the landscape. The idea of snow making the world feel “shy” adds a layer of humorous personification, giving the snow a playful character.
14. “Snowball Fight” by John Updike
Excerpt from the Poem:
We took our snowballs,
And threw them in the air,
The snow was everywhere —
But we just didn’t care!
Analysis:
John Updike’s “Snowball Fight” captures the hilarity and energy of a snowball fight, an inherently chaotic and fun winter activity. The carefree attitude of the participants, who “just didn’t care” about the snow, perfectly encapsulates the joy and spontaneity of winter games. Updike uses humor to show how snowball fights, though often messy and unpredictable, are a quintessential part of winter fun, creating memories of laughter and light-hearted competition.
Conclusion
These 14 poems offer a humorous look at snow from a variety of perspectives. Whether it’s the playful absurdity of Shel Silverstein’s anthropomorphic snowball or the chaotic consequences of a snowball fight in John Updike’s poem, snow provides a versatile canvas for humor. The poets featured here manage to capture the light-heartedness, joy, and unpredictability of snow, transforming what could be a cold, dreary subject into an avenue for laughter and whimsy. Snow, in these poems, becomes a symbol of the joy and mischief that often accompanies winter’s challenges, reminding us that even the harshest of seasons can inspire fun, creativity, and humor.
