Emma Baldwin, Author at Poem Analysis

Best Poems with Metaphors

Throughout the history of poetic language, there have been incredible examples of metaphors. On this list are a few of the most effective.

10 of the Best Poems about Grief

Throughout history, writers have engaged with the subject of grief. Wherever there is love and passion, there is also grief and loss. Explore this list of a few of the best poems about grief.

Best Poems about Grief Visual Representation

Mid-August at Sourdough Mountain Lookout by Gary Snyder

‘Mid-August at Sourdough Mountain Lookout’ by Gary Snyder is a beautiful two-stanza poem. In it, the speaker conveys descriptions from the top of Sourdough Mountain.

Mid-August at Sourdough Mountain Lookout Visual Representation

Sea Grapes by Derek Walcott

‘Sea Grapes’ by Derek Walcott is a deep and interesting poem. In it, Walcott uses numerous allusions to convey a message about choosing between lust and responsibility.

The Night, the Porch by Mark Strand

‘The Night, the Porch’ by Mark Strand is a beautiful poem about the nature of life and the human spirit.

The Rain by Robert Creeley

‘The Rain’ by Robert Creeley is an interesting and memorable poem about love. The speaker compares it through an extended metaphor to rain.

The Language by Robert Creeley

‘The Language’ by Robert Creeley is an interesting poem that grows easier to understand with each reading. It discusses love and the way its conveyed and felt.

What is Poetry? by John Ashbery

‘What is Poetry?’ by John Ashbery is a complex poem about poetry and what exactly it is. It uses Ashbery’s traditional obscure language and meaning.

A Stone is Nobody’s by Russell Edson

‘A Stone is Nobody’s’ by Russell Edson is a memorable poem. It uses a stone, and a man’s capture of it, to describe a troubling mother/son relationship.

Elizabeth’s War with the Christmas Bear by Norman Dubie

‘Elizabeth’s War with the Christmas Bear’ by Norman Dubie is an unforgettable poem about a Christmas bear that tries to attack Queen Elizabeth I and her reaction.

Elizabeth’s War with the Christmas Bear Visual Representation

Stars by Sara Teasdale

‘Stars’ by Sara Teasdale is a beautiful and easy-to-read poem. In it, Teasdale spends five stanzas describing and appreciating the stars in the sky.

The Accompanist by William Matthews

‘The Accompanist’ by William Matthews is a direct and powerful poem about jazz and what music can accomplish.

Camping Out by Gina Marie Lauchner

‘Camping Out’ by Gina Marie Lauchner is a celebration of camping and the joys of spending time outside when it’s dark.

The Famous Writer by Daniel Galef

‘The Famous Writer’ by Daniel Galef is a compelling poem about the effects of fame. The speaker is aware that fame is destructive but wants to experience it for himself.

Monologue for an Onion by Suji Kwock Kim

‘Monologue for an Onion’ by Suji Kwock Kim is a memorable poem told from the perspective of an onion. It chastises the reader for living life the way they do.

On the one-ton temple bell by Taniguchi Buson

‘On the one-ton temple bell’ by Taniguchi Buson is a beautiful haiku. It describes a moonmoth sleeping on a temple bell.

Night on the Mountain by George Sterling

‘Night on the Mountain’ by George Sterling is a beautiful and thoughtful poem. In it, the speaker explores the soul of a mountain.

broken bowl by Penny Harter

‘broken bowl’ by Penny Harter is a short and memorable haiku about a broken bowl. The poem uses three very short lines to describe its rocking pieces.

Adolescence by W.H. Auden

‘Adolescence’ by W.H. Auden is an interesting and complex poem. In it, the speaker analyzes and describes the life and experiences of a young man.

The Spanish Needle by Claude McKay

‘The Spanish Needle’ by Claude McKay is thoughtful and image-filled. The poet looks back on his speaker’s past and directs his words to a plant.

The Bustle in a House by Emily Dickinson

‘The Bustle in a House’ by Emily Dickinson is a short poem about the effects of death. It describes the “bustle” in a home the morning after an important loss.

Prayers of Steel by Carl Sandburg

‘Prayers of Steel’ by Carl Sandburg is an original poem. In it, the poet focuses on the imagined dreams of steel.

Boots by Rudyard Kipling

‘Boots’ by Rudyard Kipling is a memorable poem. In it, Kipling uses repetition to emphasize the struggle of soldiers on a forced march.

Breakfast by Jacques Prévert

‘Breakfast’ by Jacques Prévert considers a man’s actions and the speaker’s reactions. The latter is moved by the man’s simplest actions.

The Parable of the Old Man and the Young by Wilfred Owen

‘The Parable of the Old Man and the Young’ by Wilfred Owen is an unforgettable poem. In it, Owen uses the story of Abraham and Isaac from the Bible to describe World War I.

[O sweet spontaneous] by E.E. Cummings

‘[O sweet spontaneous]’ by E.E. Cummings is a beautiful poem about the earth and humanity’s search for knowledge. The poem uses personification in interesting ways and expresses a universal message.

A Fairy Song by William Shakespeare

‘A Fairy Song’ by William Shakespeare features in the well-loved play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It’s sung by a fairy and describes their work.

a song in the front yard by Gwendolyn Brooks

‘a song in the front yard’ by Gwendolyn Brooks is a well-known poem about a young speaker’s interest in the darker side of life.

My Mother Enters the Work Force by Rita Dove

‘My Mother Enters the Work Force’ by Rita Dove is a powerful poem about a mother who enters the workforce.

Under Stars by Tess Gallagher

‘Under Stars’ by Tess Gallagher is a thoughtful poem that traces a speaker’s walk outside at night. It includes her reminiscence about her past and childhood.