In the first stanza, the poet describes the setting as a "dark jungle" where the protagonist (presumably the hunter) roams. However, instead of hunting fierce animals, he is looking for "tigers with no teeth" and "rhinos with no horns."
In the second stanza, the poem takes a twist. The hunter starts looking for animals with human traits or behaviors. He wants to find rabbits wearing monocles, pigs playing drums, and hippos wearing bustles (undergarments used by Victorian women).
As the poem progresses, it becomes clear that the hunter is not searching for traditional trophies or prey. Instead, he seems to be on a whimsical adventure looking for unconventional and nonsensical animals.
The poem playfully subverts the conventional concept of hunting by replacing dangerous animals with harmless and even comical creatures. In doing so, Ogden Nash brings humor and irony to the concept of a hunt.
This poem illustrates Nash's witty style and his knack for poking fun at societal norms and expectations. He creates a playful atmosphere while gently poking fun at hunters who might prioritize the rarity of catches over the actual act of hunting and adventure.