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.

I Made a Wish
Brand New Shoes by Kenn Nesbitt
Brand-New Shoes
A Rock Makes an Excellent Puppy
I'm Thankful for Turkey by Kenn Nesbitt
I’m Thankful for Turkey
Captain Talkalot
School Year Extension by Kenn Nesbitt
School Year Extension
December I Went Shopping
Modern Popularity
Dreaming of Summer
No Pencil by Kenn Nesbitt
No Pencil
Michael the Psychic
I Wrote Myself a Letter by Kenn Nesbitt
I Wrote Myself a Letter
I’m Not Afraid of the Dark
Sylvester the Strongman by Kenn Nesbitt
Sylvester the Strongman
I Cloned Myself on Friday Night by Kenn Nesbitt
I Cloned Myself on Friday Night
Bloome the Human Boomerang
Mr. Yes and Mr. No
I'm Growing a Truck in the Garden by Kenn Nesbitt
I’m Growing a Truck in the Garden
Rudy Tude by Kenn Nesbitt
Rudy Tude
Our Family Picnic
Stumblebum Stan by Kenn Nesbitt
Stumblebum Stan
My Family Thinks I'm Crazy by Kenn Nesbitt
My Family Thinks I’m Crazy
Terrible Dream by Kenn Nesbitt
Terrible Dream
Spinach Is One of My Favorite Foods
Spinach is One of My Favorite Foods

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