Crisp leaves crunching underfoot, a chill in the air, the ubiquitous pumpkin spice latte - fall, with its unique charm, is here. And amidst the cozy scarves and apple pies, there's a delightful tradition that often goes unnoticed: funny fall poems.
These poems, much like the season itself, blend the contemplative and the comical. They can make you appreciate the beauty of fall while also chuckling at its quirks. So, let's dive into this charming corner of literature and explore some hilarious fall poems.
Leaves: The Fallen Stars
Autumn, often referred to as the season of leaves, is a time when nature graces us with a spectacular exhibition of colors. But what goes around comes around, and these leaves don't shy away from taking a tumble.
In "Leaves," John Updike captures this fallacy in a light-hearted poem. He writes, "The leaves are turning, turning, / as if their world were ending. / But we know better, every year. / 'Tis only the left hand turning." Isn't that just like nature, dramatic to the core?
The Plight of the Pumpkin
Okay, so we've established that leaves like to show off. But have you ever wondered about the humble pumpkin, carved up and left out to contend with the elements?
In "Ode to a Pumpkin," John Wilmot, the Earl of Rochester, ponders this very issue. He humorously asks, "What art could adorn thee, could ensure / A long and future-perfect being?" Raising questions that only a season that loves to leave things out in the cold would.
Autumn's Philosopher
The wind, another fall staple, often gets a bad rap. It's constantly blowing, with no regard for personal space. But perhaps, it's just lost in thought.
In "Autumn Fancy," the speaker imagines just that. The wind, she muses, "is merely thinking / of Wisdom's old, old secret / and forgets as it goes." A humorous spin on one of autumn's most common occurrences.
Cinnamon, Spice, Everything Nice
Apple picking, pumpkin spice lattes, autumnal scents fill the air. But what if you found out that all this 'fall' (get it?) was just a front for a bustling underground... baker's market?
In "Autumn's Market," which appears in Alexander Anderson's satire "The Tbear," the poet paints a portrait of just such a market. Brimming with "cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, / Cloves, corns of Paradise," this market is not for the faint of heart, or the diet-conscious.
The Great Cozy Caper
Talking of comfort food, autumn brings a new kind of challenge: the picking of the perfect sweater. It's an art, a science, and yes, an ordeal.
Jeremy J. Flynn captures this struggle in "Sweater Month." He describes "sweater month" as "when you try to cobble / together a wardrobe / from bunched-up, sheepish wool / and mad, colorful yarn." The perfect blend of fall's comfort and chaos.
Disclaimer: Tomatoes are Not Fruit
Autumn brings pumpkin spice, apple picking, and let's not forget, the great debate: are tomatoes fruit or vegetables?
Cassaundra R. Hurley tackled this serious issue in a light-hearted lullaby, "Hush, now, dear." She sings, "Tomatoes are not fruit, they're a veggie, so they say. / But eat the seeds, you'll die, so keep away." A fall poem that'll tickle your funny bone and perhaps also satisfy your intellectual curiosity.
Fall poems can make you laugh, smile, or nod in agreement. They can make you wonder about the wisdom of the wind or the trials of a hallowed-out pumpkin. And isn't that what poetry is all about? So, go ahead, indulge in these funny fall poems, one crunching leaf at a time.