The word ‘absurd’ means wildly illogical or unreasonable, defying logic. Yet, sometimes things that defy logic make sense, prompt you to look beyond, and wonder, and ponder a bit too. Opening up our minds to something chaotic or seemingly nonsense is a powerful tool for rethinking indeed! Through playful language, surreal and impossible imagery, and surprising juxtapositions, they challenge us. So today, I bring you a few absurd poems to make you think.
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Poetic Sundays: Absurd Poems to Make You Think
Absurdist poems are not a form but a genre by themselves and then not. These poems challenge convention by presenting improbable ideas or ideas in an illogical or impossible way.
Famous absurdist poems include Lewis Carroll’s “Jabberwocky“ and Edward Lear’s limericks as well as poems by Shel Silverstein, Ogden Nash, Judith Viorst, Dr. Seuss, Roald Dahl, and others. They take us into whimsical worlds where nonsense reigns supreme, yet hidden within their humorous lines are profound insights about life and human nature. Absurdist poetry invites us to laugh, question, and think differently—transforming the seemingly nonsensical into a playground for innovative ideas.
Could absurdity be the spark that ignites your next great thought? Find out for yourself by having a glimpse into some below and also check out my post from a couple of years ago about absurd poems where I attempted one.
Seeking the Ovation Seeker. Did You Find Them?
First up, this poem by Gabriel Okara (from his book Collected Poems). Here, absurdity lies in the character’s exaggerated craving for applause and validation, reflecting an unquenchable thirst for approval
C-a(t)bsurdity! with T. S. Eliot
Then there is T. S. Eliot’s The Naming of Cats (or any other poem in that collection! delightful to say the least).
Read the full poem here (excerpt below) and listen to T S . Eliot reading out this poem
The Naming Of Cats (excerpt)
T. S. Eliot
The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter,
It isn’t just one of your holiday games;
You may think at first I’m as mad as a hatter
When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES.
Absurdity in Authority: The Tale of Melon City
Next up, I have Vikram Seth’s The Tale of Melon City (Excerpt below and you can read the whole poem here or in his Collected Poems). This poem critiques bureaucracy, apathy, and blind tradition with understated humor.
In the city of which I sing
There was a just and placid King.
The King proclaimed an arch should be
Constructed, that triumphally
Would span the major thoroughfare
To edify spectators there.
The workmen went and built the thing.
They did so since he was the King.
The King rode down the thoroughfare
To edify spectators there.
Under the arch he lost his crown.
The arch was built too low. A frown
Appeared upon his placid face.
The King said, ‘This is a disgrace.
The chief of builders will be hanged.’
The rope and gallows were arranged.
The chief of builders was led out.
He passed the King. He gave a shout,
‘O King, it was the workmen’s fault’
‘Oh!’ said the King, and called a halt
To the proceedings. Being just
(And placider now) he said, ‘I must
Have all the workmen hanged instead.’
And so on this poem continues to an unexpected end (twice over actually).
Then some more
- Spike Milligan’s On the Ning Nang Nong (from his book Silly Verse for Kids) is rich in onomatopoeia and whimsical imagery. Read it out loud, please!
- Loved Raymond Carver’s Circulation
- And Mervyn Peake’s poems, including these, from his Book of Nonsense
- Of course, cannot forget The Complete Nonsense of Edward Lear (one of my favorite childhood poems is his The Owl and the Pussycat)
- Then, I frequently enjoy reading Brian Bilston’s poems
- While on the subject of Carroll and Lear, I also need to mention Samuel Foote and The Great Panjandrum Himself (You can read the poem at Gutenberg). Plus, I learned something new when I checked the Wikipedea page for the Panjandrum – it was designed by Nevil Shute (and I did not realize he was a brilliant engineer as well as an author – I only knew him as an author)
Recently
On My Blog and On the Homefront
My recent posts (since the last scribblings, as always)
- Just Five Minutes Please: For I Love to Write Day
- Books that Will Take me to My Dream Destinations
- Sunday Scribblings #201: Unfold a Little Magic with Origami Poetry
And one on Medium as well. Please do check it out and let me know your thoughts. Link below
It rained … and well, not much else happened. A trip to the city by the bay and lots of walking from pier to pier to pier to…(you know what I mean). After walking all the way from the Port of San Francisco to Pier 41, we took the ferry back (a 10 minute ride for a $1.25!)
Upcoming
On My Blog and On the Homefront
I hope to visit more and comment more this week. And write a couple posts here and on Medium too.
Celebrations
Literary Celebrations (close-to-it also!)
- Literary birthdays this week include: Maggie Stiefvater and Margaret Atwood on Nov 18th; Ruta Sepetys on Nov 19th; Taylor Jenkins Reid and Nadine Gordimer on the 20th of November; Voltaire on Nov 21st; George Eliot on the 22nd of Nov; Nirad Chaudhuri and Robert Towne on Nov 23rd; Arundhati Roy and Frances Hodgson Burnett on Nov 24th
- November 23rd is Fibonacci Day, so write a Fib poem.
Foodie Celebrations
- It is Apple Cider Day on the 18th
- Followed by National Carbonated Beverage With Caffeine Day on the 19th of November
- Then the 20th is National Peanut butter Fudge Day
- And the 21st is National Stuffing Day and National Gingerbread Cookie Day
- The 22nd is National Cranberry Relish Day
- Followed by National Cashew Day, National Eat a Cranberry Day, and National Espresso Day on the 23rd of November.
Other Celebrations and Observations
- Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse’s birthdays – the 18th of November!
- The 19th celebrates a classic board game, so get your game on with National Play Monopoly Day
- November 20th is National Absurdity Day
- It is World Hello Day and World Television Day on the 21st of November.
- The 22nd is Go For A Ride Day and Love Your Freckles Day!
- November 23rd is Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day, and being the Saturday before Thanksgiving, is also Family Volunteer Day
Related Books and Reads
Suggestions related to various aspects of today’s blog
- 10 Shows to Binge Watch With Your Teens
- Love that Minnie Mouse is making her debut at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. Surprised that this is her debut given both she and the parade have been there since the 1920s.
- Be You: A Reader, Writer, or Anything: It’s All Amazing You
Wrapped Up: My Sunday Scribblings
So dear reader, you have reached the end of this Sunday Scribblings! As always, I welcome your thoughts, comments, and suggestions about this post And, of course, do let me know if you plan to celebrate any of these mentioned celebrations this coming week/month?
Linking this to the Sunday Post over at the Caffeinated Reviewer and the Sunday Salon.
