Day Four of Poetry Week: Ironic Poems

Ironic poems were introduced to me in my first creative writing class. At first, I found them difficult to understand. Catching irony was never a strong suit of mine, along with catching when people were joking about something, but then I discovered that irony can be subtle, elegant, and have a magical innocence (which I often seek in my poetry. I'm not going for a pessimistic or satirical kind of irony.)

For me, there is a thought process when it comes to ironic poems. I definitely have to start with a story and find some irony in it before I can complete it. Maybe, for a few of you, it will come very naturally. (Crossing fingers!)

Definition: a poem that illustrates a situation, or a use of language, involving some kind of discrepancy. The result of an action or situation is the reverse of what is expected.

Famous Example: from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”

Water, water, everywhere,

Nor any drop to drink.

*****Examples*****

If Pennies Could Buy Wishes

Aubrie Anne (2008)

A girl sat by a fountain

With a penny in her hand

All she had to do was throw the coin

And wishes were at her command

With eyes closed tight

And a firm sure grip

She let the penny fly

It landed with a reassuring splash

Now all she had to do was stand by

But years had passed

And the girl grew wise

She found pennies could never buy wishes

Next time she’d use a dime

*****

Dreaming Becomes the Lie

Aubrie Anne (2008)

Dreaming comes so easily

Because I’ve dreamed my entire life

I’ve seen the woman I would become

I’ve seen the man I’m suppose to love

I’ve seen brilliant flashes

From a life I want to lead

The images have all passed before me

They’re lies I want to believe

And I wake up from an endless nightmare

To find I’ve yet to live

*****Questions*****

Have you ever heard of ironic poetry before?
Have you ever tried to write it before?
How'd it go?
Share some with us!
If you've never tried it, would you consider it?