Humor Poem by Yevgeny Yevtushenko

Humor

Rating: 3.0


Tsars, Kings, Emperors,
sovereigns of all the earth,
have commanded many a parade,
but they could not command humor.
When Aesop, the tramp, came visiting
the palaces of eminent personages
ensconced in sleek comfort all day,
they struck him as paupers.
In houses, where hypocrites have
left the smear of their puny feet,
there Hodja-Nasr-ed-Din, with his jests,
swept clean all meanness
like a board of chessmen!
They tried to commission humor-
but humor is not to be bought!
They tried to murder humor,
but humor thumbed his nose at them!
It’s hard to fight humor.
They executed him time and again.
His hacked-off head
was stuck on the point of a pike.
But as soon as the mummer’s pipes
began their quipping tale,
humor defiantly cried:
'I’m back, I’m here! ',
and started to foot a dance.
in an overcoat, shabby and short,
with eyes cast down and a mask of repentance,
he, a political criminal,
now under arrest, walked to his execution.
He appeared to submit in every way,
accepting the life-beyond,
but of a sudden he wriggled out of his coat,
and, waving his hand, did a bolt.
Humor was shoved into cells,
but much good that did.
Humor went straight through
prison bars and walls of stone.
Coughing from the lungs
like any man in the ranks,
he marched singing a popular ditty,
rifle in hand upon the Winter Palace.
He’s accustomed to frowning looks,
but they do him no harm;
and humor at times with humor
glances at himself.
He’s everpresent. Nimble and quick,
he’ll slip through anything, through everyone.
So- glory be to humor.
He- is a valiant man.


Translated by George Reavey

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Poet Dragon 28 November 2012

I would cry if I was not laughing so hard! The cosmic joke...indeed.

8 1 Reply
Gajanan Mishra 27 November 2013

really you are valiant.

3 2 Reply
Bri Edwards 10 November 2014

great thoughts. thanks for sharing. :) bri

2 3 Reply

Humor has such a beautiful part in life and poem good.

3 1 Reply
Kevin Patrick 15 February 2016

Living in the Soviet era humor would have been an endangered species, but I guess it triumphed. This is one of those poems you never forget.

1 2 Reply
Sylvia Frances Chan 14 August 2024

Through humor, the poem suggests, individuals can find solace, resistance, and even liberation.

0 0 Reply
Sylvia Frances Chan 14 August 2024

Chosen again thrice.Thank you so much for sharing and celebrating human spirit

0 0 Reply
Sylvia Frances Chan 14 August 2024

CONGRATS being chosen again by Poem Hunter And Team as The Modern Poem of The Day. Hooray! ROP Marks! 5 Stars

0 0 Reply
Sylvia Frances Chan 21 June 2024

Great poem by Yevgeny Yevtushenko. Congrats being chosen by Poem Hunter and Team as The Modern Poem Of The Day!

1 0 Reply
Sylvia Frances Chan 21 June 2024

I have the same opinion today: Yevtushenko's portrayal of humor as an unwavering and subversive entity underscores its significance in challenging oppressive systems and maintaining the human spirit. Through humor, the poem suggests, individuals can find solace, resistance, and even liberation.

2 0 Reply
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Yevgeny Yevtushenko

Yevgeny Yevtushenko

Zima Junction, Siberia
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