No matter their style, movement, or ordinary subject matter, any poet can write light verse. For example, a writer who normally utilizes elements of Gothic literature might break from their traditional style and write a light poem about a humorous event in their everyday life.
Robert Louis Stevenson is a wonderful example. He is best known for his classic novel The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but he also wrote light verse, specifically in the form of children’s poetry (an example can be seen below).
Definition of Light Verse
Light verse is poetry that engages with simple, usually humorous, and often highly relatable events, experiences, and emotions. These poems are usually filled with literary devices, including imagery, personification and/or anthropomorphism, alliteration, and more.
Sometimes, literary scholars condemn light poetry for being “unserious” and as not of any great literary importance. But, many of the best-known poets throughout the history of English literature, such as Alexander Pope and W.H. Auden, also wrote light verse.
Examples of Light Verse in Poetry
The People Upstairs by Ogden Nash
Ogden Nash’s ‘The People Upstairs’ is a great contemporary example of light verse. The speaker uses short lines to describe what he thinks his upstairs neighbors are doing. He uses literary devices like hyperbole and exaggeration to suggest that the noise they’re making comes from jumping on Pogo sticks or bowling. Here are a few lines from the poem:
They try to get their parties to mix
By supplying their guests with Pogo sticks,
And when their fun at last abates,
They go to the bathroom on roller skates.
I might love the people upstairs more
If only they lived on another floor.
Read more Ogden Nash poems.
Dirty Face by Shel Silverstein
Throughout this light and humorous poem, a child tries to explain away why their face has gotten so dirty. They suggest everything from exploring dark caves and silver mines to eating blackberries right off the bush. Here are a few lines:
I got it from crawling along in the dirt
And biting two buttons off Jeremy’s shirt.
I got it from chewing the roots of a rose
And digging for clams in the yard with my nose.
I got it from peeking into a dark cave
And painting myself like a Navajo brave.
Read more Shel Silverstein poems.
Winter-Time by Robert Louis Stevenson
This light-hearted children’s poem describes winter from a child’s perspective. The poet imbues the child speaker with a great deal of imagination as he describes what he sees, hears, and experiences in winter. For example:
Close by the jolly fire I sit
To warm my frozen bones a bit;
Or with a reindeer-sled, explore
The colder countries round the door.
Throughout, Stevenson uses literary devices like juxtaposition, imagery, personification, alliteration (one of the most common devices in light verse), and more.
Read more Robert Louis Stevenson poems.
Three Little Birds in a Row by Stephen Crane
‘Three Little Birds in a Row’ is a short and simple piece penned by American realist writer Stephen Crane. Crane is best known for his role in the realist/naturalist movement in the late 1800s and his publication of The Red Badge of Courage in 1893. But, he also wrote light verse. Here are a few lines from the poem:
Three little birds in a row
Sat musing.
A man passed near that place.
Then did the little birds nudge each other.
He uses personification, alliteration, and more within this poem. The birds can talk to one another, judge people, and laugh, just like humans do. This should be entertaining to readers of all ages.
Explore more Stephen Crane poems.
FAQs
Light verse is a type of poetry that engages with simple, every day, and highly relatable themes that are often humorous and entertaining. Most children’s poetry is categorized as light verse, as are poems that deal with “trivial” subject matter.
To write a light poem, the author needs to pick a subject that is simple, easy to understand, and not too emotionally intense. For example, playing with a dog, shopping, meeting with family, or more. Light verse poems should use simple language, humor, and literary devices like alliteration.
‘Hug O’ War’ by Shel Silverstein is an example of light verse. It was published in 1974 in the collection Where the Sidewalk Ends. The poem is characteristic of the author’s work in that it is geared toward a younger audience. It encourages mutual respect and love rather than competition or violence.
Light verse is important because it provides lovers of poetry with light-hearted, humorous, and entertaining literature to read. Not all literary works can be serious, intense, and emotionally taxing. Sometimes, writers, and audiences, need a break from intense examinations of personal experiences and universal struggles.
Related Literary Terms
- Adventure Story: tells the tale of a protagonist’s journey. They go on an adventure or quest: one that could be personal or geographical.
- Beast Fable: also known as an animal tale, is a short story or long poem that uses animal characters to relay a moral or narrative.
- Chick Lit: a genre of literature that focuses on female protagonists. These stories are usually targeted at younger women and are described as “popular fiction.”
- Comedy: a humorous and entertaining genre of literature, film, and television.
- Fairy Tale: short stories that include fanciful and magical elements such as goblins, elves, fairies, and ogres.
- Folklore: refers to stories that people tell. These include folk stores, fairy tales, urban legends, and more.
Other Resources
- Watch: Everything you need to write a poem
- Listen: How to Write Better Poems
- Read: 15 Short Funny Poems
