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’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
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
Spinach Is One of My Favorite Foods
Spinach is One of My Favorite Foods
Our Family Picnic
Terrible Dream by Kenn Nesbitt
Terrible Dream
My Family Thinks I'm Crazy by Kenn Nesbitt
My Family Thinks I’m Crazy
Going Nowhere Slowly by Kenn Nesbitt
Going Nowhere Slowly
When Daniel Went Dancing by Kenn Nesbitt
When Daniel Went Dancing
The Bagel Bird
I Made a Hat by Kenn Nesbitt
I Made a Hat
Porcupine Valentine
I Tried to Catch a Snowflake
I Sat Down on a Seesaw by Kenn Nesbitt
I Sat Down On a Seesaw
New Computer by Kenn Nesbitt
New Computer
Toby the Snowboarding Doberman
Broccoli for Breakfast by Kenn Nesbitt
Broccoli for Breakfast
Nimrod Nero, Superhero
There’s a Witch Outside My Window
I've Got a Secret by Kenn Nesbitt
I’ve Got a Secret
I Built a Castle on the Beach