14 Hilarious Haikus
The Japanese literary art form known as haiku endeavors to capture the essence of its subjects in just a few lines. But the mandated brevity still manages to convey a lot of depth. And although these unrhyming poems are often solemn or contemplative, they can also be a vehicle for clever and surprising humor, dishing out cutting self-deprecation and lighthearted observations about the mundanities of everyday life.
Traditionally, haikus are structured as three lines: The first line contains five syllables, the second seven, and the third five again. The form isn’t technically set in stone, however, as poems from the genre’s most celebrated authors, such as Kobayashi Issa, often lose their structure in English translations. While Issa was known for his hauntingly stark musings on life and nature, he was also known to display a levity and wit that transcended the boundaries of the frequently stoic form.
Haiku, beyond its traditional constraints, thrives on nuance. From traditional authors to modern comedians, these funny haikus make it look easy to express profound humor within roughly 17 syllables.
The technical brilliance of haikus
Facing a new year
Trying to say less
Is there an echo in here?
Living in the present
Is that Groucho Marx?
Aches and pains
Home life
The perfect ending
Door tutorial
Listening in
From the dog
Stumped
Ode to New York City
