poetic device: Irony

Irony is when what you expect to happen doesn’t occur, but instead results in the opposite action or effect. For example, if someone were run over by an ambulance, or if you went to “Camp Sunshine” and it rained the whole week.

All of these poems have at least one example of irony each, usually at the end of the poem. See if you can figure out what is ironic in each of these poems.

My Brother Wants to Be a Chef by Kenn Nesbitt
My Brother Wants to Be a Chef
Auntie Gravity
Belinda Brooks by Kenn Nesbitt
Belinda Brooks
The Tall Tale of Shorty Small by Kenn Nesbitt
The Tall Tale of Shorty Small
Back-to-School Shopping
The Cowtown Ballet by Kenn Nesbitt
The Cow Town Ballet
Snail Race by Kenn Nesbitt
Snail Race
The Stockings Were Hung by Linda Knaus and Kenn Nesbitt
The Stockings Were Hung
How Not to Make a Cardboard Fort
Bad Bertie Bartigan by Kenn Nesbitt
Bad Bertie Bartigan
Bradley Beard by Kenn Nesbitt
Bradley Beard is Rather Weird
Melody Ring by Kenn Nesbitt
Melody Ring
My Mouse is Rather Fond of Cheese by Kenn Nesbitt
My Mouse Is Rather Fond of Cheese
Gladiola's Garden by Kenn Nesbitt
Gladiola’s Garden
The Horsemen Are Headless this Evening by Kenn Nesbitt
The Horsemen Are Headless this Evening
I'm Learning to Play the Piano Today by Kenn Nesbitt
I’m Learning To Play the Piano Today
I Only Like People Exactly Like Me by Kenn Nesbitt
I Only Like People Exactly Like Me
I Bought a New Tank For My Goldfish
If You Happen to Hop by Kenn Nesbitt
If You Happen to Hop

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