Classic Joke Poems

Poetry Reading

A haiku, a sonnet and a ballad
walk into a bar.

The barman says to the ballad,
“If this is some kind of reading,
chap, book the pub next door.”

Dyslexic Poet Haiku
(please excuse the political incorrectness)

dyslexic poet
wrote a depressing sonnet
it was a mope

dyslexic poet
has trouble with syllables
‘Hi auk!’

Doctor, Doctor

I went to the doctor’s
the other day and asked,
‘Have you got anything for
mixed metaphors?’

He told me not to cry
over spilled beans.

Kim M. Russell, 13^th April, 2023

It’s 13^th April and the thirteenth day of NaPoWriMo, and our optional prompt starts with three short poems by Bill Knott. Our challenge is to write short poems that follow the beats of classic jokes, emphasising the interplay between the form of the poem – such as the line breaks – and the punchline.

I really struggled with this prompt, but then, I’m no comedian.