Funny to Be a Century

Funny to Be a Century - meaning Summary

Oddity and Public Exposure

The poem playfully contrasts the speaker’s reaction to being a century-old observer with a more reserved, secretive figure. The speaker finds the spectacle of people passing by oddly amusing and admits a capacity for surprise, while the other person preserves privacy so strictly that revealing secrets would mortify the world. The tone balances whimsy and social critique, suggesting that public attention can be embarrassing or invasive. The poem treats age and publicity as linked: longevity brings perspective on social display, and discretion is depicted as both protective and prudish.