Morning Poem by Mary Oliver
‘Morning Poem’ by Mary Oliver uses the dawn of a new day to speak of hope and new beginnings, offering an optimistic message.
Shane Curry
The Clown’s Wife by John Agard
‘The Clown’s Wife’ by John Agard explores the theme of duality through a wife speaking about her clown husband and herself.
Flounder by Natasha Trethewey
‘Flounder’ by Natasha Trethewey uses a flounder as a metaphor to convey a child’s struggle with her mixed-race identity.
To Look at Any Thing by John Moffitt
‘To Look at Any Thing’ by John Moffitt highlights the importance of long observation in seeing beyond the superficial to a deeper reality.
How to Eat a Poem by Eve Merriam
‘How to Eat a Poem’ by Eve Merriam uses eating fruit as a metaphor for reading poetry to encourage readers to enjoy poetry.
Prospice by Robert Browning
In ‘Prospice’ by Robert Browning, the speaker talks of facing death bravely and being reunited with his soulmate. Read the poem, with a complete analysis.
Paradoxes and Oxymorons by John Ashbery
‘Paradoxes and Oxymorons’ by John Ashbery invites the reader to think about meaning in language through highlighting contradictions.
The Secret Heart by Robert Coffin
‘The Secret Heart’ by Robert Coffin speaks of a man remembering his father and explores love through a tender moment between father and son.
Icarus by Edward Field
‘Icarus’ by Edward Field places the Icarus of Greek mythology in a modern context to explore themes of alienation and displacement.
Hymn to the New Omagh Road by John Montague
‘Hymn to the New Omagh Road’ by John Montague is a poem that uses the construction of a new road to show the influence of modernization on County Tyrone.
White Lies by Natasha Trethewey
‘White Lies’ by Natasha Trethewey is a poetic exploration of racial identity in the American South through three lies a girl tells about being white.