Poem Review: Irony
The irony is probably the best form of intellectual expression. It is saying one thing and meaning another. It is finding humor when there isn’t.
“Do you know what irony is, de Leon?
They make swords out of it, don’t they? Mix it with coally and hit it with a hammery?”
― Jay Kristoff, Empire of the Vampire
Expressing irony is complex, and detecting is still more. I have always felt that irony is the most misunderstood and misplaced form of speech. But I am like this —
“I say let the world go to hell, but I should always have my tea.”
― Fyodor Dostoevsky, Notes from Underground
The irony here is so well expressed that it has both a sense of humor with a dash of cynicism. To write an ironical poem calls for a high standard of humor and wordplay. That is why ironical poems are rare.
I still dared to search for the poems in my favorite hunting group. Indeed, the poems were rare, but I found gems. Without much ado, I shall present two poems, in their own ways, are ironic.
Poem 1: The perfect Lady
The perfect Lady
in nearly everyway
With enormous pearls
and sophisticated lips,
she swaggers and she sways.
The perfect Lady,
in nearly everyway
Those leather hips,
and soberly polishes
her fingertips.
Ooo la la, Ooo la la la la, Ooo la la la
The perfect Lady,
In nearly everyway.
Her fringe is just right,
And her colour scheme too,
Nothing out of place,
Except for a clue.
Ooo la la, Ooo la la la la, Ooo la la la
The perfect lady,
In nearly everyway.
Except for a clue,
as to why she’s so smart
and made up this way,
and what in her handbag,
is really her own.
Ooo la la, Ooo la la la la, Ooo la la la
The perfect lady, in nearly everyway.~Chloe Douglas
Commentary on Poem 1:
There is a world out there, where a woman has to be a perfect Lady ( notice the small ‘p’ and capital ‘L’ ), to get her way around. The irony is that ‘perfect’ is the small price to pay for being the ‘Lady’.
The perfect Lady
in nearly everyway
With enormous pearls
and sophisticated lips,
she swaggers and she sways.
The Lady in question is perfect — and that perfect is a composition of many pieces — accessories and apparel, gestures and gait.
She wears ‘enormous pearls’, for pearls are the most subtle and dim expression of richness. Her lips adorn a dim glow of attraction, tempting but classy, like the hundred-year-old wine, attractive but elusive to the average male. Her walk has a swagger and sway, that makes the gents pine without provoking.
The perfect Lady,
in nearly everyway
Those leather hips,
and soberly polishes
her fingertips.
The second stanza indicates all is not ‘perfect’ with the perfect Lady. Her hips are ‘leathery’, which is an indication of artificial wear, not smooth and suitable, but the gap emerges between her lifestyle and personality. This brings some sobriety into her, as she ‘polishes her fingertips.’ The irony of this life cannot be overlooked. The poet’s words ‘in nearly every way’ predicates this irony, opening the gap further.
Ooo la la, Ooo la la la la, Ooo la la la
The perfect Lady,
In nearly everyway.
Her fringe is just right,
And her colour scheme too,
Nothing out of place,
Except for a clue.
The phrase ‘Ooo la la’ is French. It is a phrase of admiration, surprise or excitement. Let us look at it this way — the lady is admired, maybe with a dose of sexuality. The need to maintain the appeal to the other sex, or play to the male gallery.
As the context builds, the expression ‘Ooo La La’ builds the tone towards an obvious irony, which is accentuated by the verse that follows. The repeat of the phrase ‘the perfect Lady, in nearly every way,’ which appears in every following stanza, emphasizes this line of expression.
It is perfect — her fringe and her color scheme. The poet says nothing is out of place for the perfect Lady. Despite the gap, the outward appearance, the makeup, and the dress seem to be perfect for the occasion.
Except for a clue,
as to why she’s so smart
and made up this way,
and what in her handbag,
is really her own.
Ooo la la, Ooo la la la la, Ooo la la la
The perfect lady, in nearly everyway.
The poet teases us with another pinch of irony with the opening line ‘except for a clue’. The irony of the perfect attire is the outcome of the compulsive need to show up and showcase.
Finally, the irony bursts forth into the open — she is so smart, yet she is putting up a mask — an outward attire driven by a need to appeal to men. But, the lady is much more than this outward attire. Her purse, and her handbag will tell an entirely different story.
“She opened her purse which was like a small autumn field and near the fallen branches of an old apple tree, she found her keys.”
― Richard Brautigan, Revenge of the Lawn: Stories 1962–1970
Reading a woman is as difficult as figuring out her purse. The irony becomes more pronounced when a woman of substance tries to present herself to appeal, we will leave it at that.
Poem 2: Bare Tree
and we call it a bare tree
on a branch
march a line of ants~Sourabha Rao
This is a short poem ‘punch line’ irony. If a few words can bring the irony brimming to the surface, then it is this poem.
The essence of the poem is to not judge a book by its cover, and more importantly, not to write off anyone that deserves a chance.
Life is unfair, but life moves forward. Anything that is degenerate becomes foliage, mixes with soil, and becomes the seed for life again. Nothing is ever a waste in this Universe.
and we call it a bare tree
That we call. The names. The tree is bare. Never mind that it has a life and it supported lives. ‘Bare’ — useless, empty, insipid, and dead. Calling a tree deadwood is the greatest irony that can be. But the irony starts with the
What was this power, this insidious threat, this invisible gun to her head that controlled her life . . . this terror of being called names?
― Fannie Flagg, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe
Calling a bare tree does not make any sense, for the tree wouldn’t be offended, but for the human who calls names, it becomes ironic when…
on a branch
march a line of ants
Life thrives with hope. The bare tree is the home for ants. The ‘marching in line’ indicates an established system, or even a peaceful society, integral to the larger ecosystem of which the bare tree is part. For those who live with it, the bare tree is a home, a haven, and a life giver.
It is hard to miss the message that the ants teach us.
“Learn from the ants- how a tiny heart is big enough to love, help and care about another living existence.”
― Munia Khan
Ants have survived for more than 130 million years, and still are the largest species by weight. One thing they are good at is being symbiotic and respectful of the space they live in whether it is a deadwood or an anthill.
The irony of the human society calling names to denigrate something or someone, while there is hope, is where its intellect is lost in stupidity.
“Irony is wasted on the stupid”
― Oscar Wilde
Irony is considered the highest form of wit, but hidden in irony are the lessons that truth hides from us.
~Ashok Subramanian
