Forever by Terri Nicole Tharrington
‘Forever’ by Terri Nicole Tharrington is a quick-paced poem that presents the positive and negative elements that go along with the concept of “forever.”
Connie Smith
The Red Wheelbarrow by William Carlos Williams
‘The Red Wheelbarrow’ by William Carlos Williams depicts, in very simple language, a red wheelbarrow outside in the rain.
I so liked Spring by Charlotte Mew
‘I so liked Spring’ by Charlotte Mew is a two-stanza work that uses the immature stance of the narrator’s romantic interest.
Poppies in October by Sylvia Plath
‘Poppies in October’ by Sylvia Plath depicts an interesting contrast between life and death. It takes a melancholy tone and can be interpreted in different ways.
On Killing a Tree by Gieve Patel
‘On Killing a Tree’ depicts a series of qualities in varying manners, including resilience, selfishness, arrogance, growth, and nurturing.
The Riddle of Strider by J.R.R. Tolkien
‘The Riddle of Strider’ by J.R.R. Tolkien depicts story highlights for one character from The Lord of the Rings. That character is Aragorn, from his heritage to his becoming “king.”
My life has been the poem I would have writ by Henry David Thoreau
‘My life has been the poem I would have writ’ is a simple two-line work, but within those two lines, contains many subtle grammar.
If I can stop one heart from breaking
‘If I can stop one heart from breaking’ by Emily Dickinson is a selfless proclamation of one’s desire to help. The poet’s speaker offers help in a variety of ways in some cases to better her own life.
Success is counted sweetest
‘Success is counted sweetest’ by Emily Dickinson is a thoughtful poem about success. It emphasizes the fact that one must lose something in order to truly appreciate it.
Dust of Snow by Robert Frost
‘Dust of Snow’ by Robert Frost is a simple tale of how a speaker’s mood was changed by a snowfall. A love of nature is enough to elevate the speaker into a happier state of mind.
The Three Oddest Words by Wislawa Szymborska
‘The Three Oddest Words’ is a poem that addresses peculiarities of language in ways that reflect the peculiarities themselves.
The Depths by Denise Levertov
‘The Depths’ by Denise Levertov is a three-stanza work that uses contradictions and metaphor to express how multi-layered life can be.
Have a Nice Day by Spike Milligan
‘Have a Nice Day’ by Spike Milligan is a poem that uses an odd process of wording to depict a bizarre situation that proved fatal for both involved individuals.
The Instruction Manual by John Ashbery
‘The Instruction Manual’ by John Ashbery is poem that is constructed to express the struggles of a creative thinker in a factual, mundane task.
My Fancy by Lewis Carroll
‘My Fancy’ by Lewis Carroll is a poem where confusion and exaggeration are offered to show a distinct variation between expectation and reality.
Supple Cord by Naomi Shihab Nye
‘Supple Cord’ by Naomi Shihab Nye uses remarkably simple terms to express a similarly simple link between two siblings: a “cord.”
Punctuality by Lewis Carroll
‘Punctuality’ by Lewis Carroll expresses the importance of being “punctual” and showing respect enough for endeavors to treat them with promptness.
O Me! O Life! by Walt Whitman
‘O Me! O Life!’ by Walt Whitman is a poem where being capable of boosting the quality of “life” is presented through juxtaposed ideas.
Still Here by Langston Hughes
‘Still here’ by Langston Hughes is a poem that is grounded in varying grammar concepts to indicate weariness through struggle and clarity after the struggle concludes.
The Road Goes Ever On by J.R.R. Tolkien
‘The Road Goes Ever On’ by J.R.R. Tolkien consists of only two verses, but the structure and approach within them are sufficient to highlight the epic journey before and after the song surfaces in the book.
The Rose That Blushes Rosy Red by Christina Rossetti
‘The Rose That Blushes Rosy Red’ compares a “rose” and a “lily” that more beyond superficial elements should be present for a solid foundation and well-rounded people.
There Is But One May In The Year by Christina Rossetti
‘There Is But One May In The Year’ by Christina Rossetti reveals, through awkward word choices and natural concepts, how life can offer good and bad elements.
You Are Old, Father William by Lewis Carroll
‘You Are Old, Father William’ by Lewis Carroll is a poem that is structured as a dialogue between a “father” and “his son”.
Brown Penny by William Butler Yeats
‘Brown Penny’ by William Butler Yeats is an expression of the various levels of honest “love” that follow us from birth to death.
Who Has Seen the Wind? by Christina Rossetti
‘Who Has Seen the Wind?’ by Christina Rossetti is a poem that utilizes similar wording between the stanzas to embrace a universality of concept.
My Fairy by Lewis Carroll
In ‘My Fairy’, the very essence of this poem is drenched in irony in that “a fairy” can be thought of as a childish creature.
Life is but a Dream by Lewis Carroll
‘Life is but a Dream’ by Lewis Carroll is a poem that utilizes juxtaposition and unique structure to represent the logic and illogic of the work that inspired the poem.
Warm Summer Sun by Mark Twain
‘Warm Summer Sun’ by Mark Twain is a poem that expresses the process of aging and life, all the way to life’s final moments.