Indian Weavers by Sarojini Naidu
‘Indian Weavers’ explores the inevitability of death while celebrating the cycles of human existence and experience.
Joe Santamaria
The Rose That Grew From Concrete by Tupac Shakur
‘The Rose That Grew From Concrete’ is a moving celebration of personal resolve against the backdrop of oppressive forces.
Nightscapes by Jean Bleakney
‘Nightscapes’ beautifully captures the feeling of being isolated from nature that is common in urban environments.
A Watery City by Jean Bleakney
‘A Watery City’ engages with themes of friendship and journeying, significantly how they are affected by the passage of time.
Donegal Sightings by Jean Bleakney
‘Donegal Sightings’ explores how elusive the natural world can feel, even when we are immersed within its beauty.
Parrot by Stevie Smith
‘Parrot’ is a moving exploration of imprisonment and suffering set against the backdrop of the modern, urban world.
Childhood by Frances Cornford
‘Childhood’ explores the transitory moment when a child becomes aware of the passing of time, and the process of growing old.
Winterisation by Jean Bleakney
‘Winterisation’ subtly weaves the processes of preparing for winter and steeling oneself for news of bereavement.
Carpet-weavers, Morocco by Carol Rumens
‘Carpet-weavers, Morocco’ is a challenging poem which explores issues such as child labour as well as examining the myriad origins of beauty.
In Railway Halls (XXX) by Stephen Spender
‘In Railway Halls’ challenges the reader for their complicity in the suffering of the vulnerable in society.
Spring by Jean Bleakney
‘Spring’ is an unsettling poem that explores the dangers of devotion and deferring happiness instead of living in the present.
What I Expected (XIII) by Stephen Spender
‘What I Expected’ is a harrowing account of failed hopes and unrealized dreams, which captures the hopelessness of the 1930s.
Without That Once Clear Aim (XXI) by Stephen Spender
‘XXI Without That Once Clear Aim’ brilliantly explores the uneasy relationship between an artist and their environment.
The Express by Stephen Spender
‘The Express’ is an enthralling and uncanny poem which explores the feelings of awe and concern after a new train leaves the station.
Hiram Powers’ Greek Slave by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
‘Hiram Powers’ Greek Slave’ is a deeply powerful account of seeing a sculpture which evokes feelings of both beauty and suffering.
Out to Tender by Jean Bleakney
‘Out to Tender’ explores the uneasiness felt by many during the 1994 ceasefire in Northern Ireland and expresses their fear and doubt.
The Hour is Come by Louisa Lawson
‘The Hour is Come’ offers a heroic view of womanhood and celebrates those who are willing to fight for their rights and beliefs.
The Pylons by Stephen Spender
‘The Pylons’ is a foreboding poem that explores the collision between two worlds and the devastating consequences for the innocent.
The Peninsula by Seamus Heaney
‘The Peninsula’ is a beautiful and affirming poem that uses the imagery of the coast to represent the difficulties of artistic creation.
The Annunciation by Elizabeth Jennings
‘The Annunciation’ is a deeply thoughtful depiction of the moment Mary learned she’d carry the son of God.
How Can You Say That? by Jean Bleakney
‘How Can You Say That?’ is a humorous and thoughtful rebuttal of belittlement which reflects the struggle of women in the twentieth century.
February by Gillian Clarke
‘February’ depicts a stunning and figurative encounter with Clarke’s familiar Welsh landscape on a snowy February day.
Identity by Julio Noboa Polanco
‘Identity’ is a figurative examination of selfhood, and a poetic warning against the dangers of conformity.
The Little Vagabond by William Blake
‘The Little Vagabond’ is a satirical critique of church services, which humourously compares them to ale-houses.
‘Had I not been awake’ by Seamus Heaney
‘Had I not been awake’ is a stunning expression of hope against the backdrop of doubt, which reminds the reader of their capacity to inspire.
This World is not Conclusion
‘This World is not Conclusion’ is a deeply thoughtful exploration of faith and doubt from one of America’s finest poets.
Is it Still the Same by Eavan Boland
‘Is it Still the Same’ is a brilliant, affirming poem that explores memory and its relationship to a particular place and time.
The Road by Nancy Fotheringham Cato
‘The Road’ is simultaneously a thrilling car journey at night and a deeply personal mediation on time, humanity and the natural world.
Crow Sickened by Ted Hughes
‘Crow Sickened’ is a brilliant example of Hughes’ playful style, in which Crow attempts to work out the cause of his misery.
Witness by Eavan Boland
‘Witness’ is a thoughtful contemplation on the nature of memory, identity and guilt in the context of Boland’s Dublin.