50+ Poems about Faith - Poem Analysis

Apostate

by Léonie Adams

Apostate’ by Léonie Adams describes the freedom a speaker sees in the joyful stars and how she aches to live as they do.

The poem explores themes of faith and doubt, and the speaker's loss of faith may resonate with readers who have experienced similar struggles with their own beliefs.

The Confessional

by Robert Browning

‘The Confessional’ by Robert Browning is a dramatic monologue following a woman who is betrayed for her blind faith.

'The Confessional' has many moments that show the main character's faith. She believes, without a doubt, that the priest can help her and her lover and cleanse their souls. Its this faith and blind trust that allows the priest to take advantage of her, causing her downfall.

In Heaven

by Stephen Crane

‘In Heaven’ by Stephen Crane offers a parable-like anecdote that contrasts humility with self-righteous pride. It also challenges religion and those the poet’s speaker deemed hypocritical.

Faith is an important theme in the poem as it offers two contrasting ways people come to express or define it. One is self-centered on one’s deeds and the other is far more humble.

‘Twas the old — road — through pain—

by Emily Dickinson

‘Twas the old — road — through pain—’ by Emily Dickinson describes a woman’s path from life to death and her entrance into Heaven.

The woman's faith in God and Heaven brings her hope but it also causes her concern as she knows its a possibility she doesn't end up in Heaven.

Dover Beach

by Matthew Arnold

‘Dover Beach’ by Matthew Arnold is dramatic monologue lamenting the loss of true Christian faith in England during the mid 1800s.

The poem explores the idea of faith, both in the literal sense of religious faith and the broader sense of trust in the world. The speaker suggests that faith has retreated like the tide and that the world is now a darker, more uncertain place.

Life Sculpture

by George Washington Doane

‘Life Sculpture’ by George Washington Doane is a poem heavily symbolic poem about realizing one’s true potential and purpose in life.

Although the poem directly tells the reader that a faith in God is crucial to realizing one's full potential. George Washington Doane may have had the deity of his Episcopal Church in mind but the poem is by no means restricted to faith in any one thing. Faith in oneself, in others, in fate, or whatever higher power one abides by is what the poem boils down to.

The Windhover

by Gerard Manley Hopkins

‘The Windhover’ is an incredibly important poem that Hopkins considered to be his best. It uses symbolism to speak about God and faith.

The poem highlights the importance of faith and spiritual devotion, as the speaker is moved by the bird's beauty and is inspired to praise God. The windhover embodies the idea of faith and hope, as the sight of the bird elevates the speaker.

Requiem

by Robert Louis Stevenson

‘Requiem’ by Robert Louis Stevenson is a poem about accepting death and finding peace in going “home” after a long life.

The speaker has faith that he's ready to enter into his next life and faith that it isn't something to fear.

The Fool’s Prayer

by Edward Rowland Sill

‘The Fool’s Prayer’ by Edward Rowland Sill is a religious poem that reminds readers, and all the characters in the poem, what it takes to live a good, morally righteous life.

The speaker's faith in God comes through incredibly clearly in this poem. Their dedication to living a Christian life is meant to inspire readers to the same feeling.

The Eternal Goodness

by John Greenleaf Whittier

‘The Eternal Goodness’ by John Greenleaf Whittier is a relatively unknown 19th-century poem that explores religious themes and the various ways that God’s love comes through.

Faithfulness is the primary emotion felt and shared in this poem, and it is likely the poet's intention that readers walk away from this poem considering their faith.

A Child is Something Else Again

by Yehuda Amichai

‘A Child is Something Else Again’ by Yehuda Amichai is a poem about parenthood and childhood. A child represents a great deal, the speaker says, and provides a parent with the will to live.

A Limb Just Moved

by Mirabai

‘A Limb Just Moved’ is a poem attributed to Mirabai, a Hindu mystic and Bahkti saint who lived in the sixteenth century and was well-known for her incredible devotion to Krishna, and to her faith.

A Prayer For My Son

by William Butler Yeats

‘A Prayer for my Son,’ written from the perspective of a father who wants to protect his son against all odds during the brewing war in Ireland. Read the poem with a complete analysis.

A Thank-Offering

by Ella Higginson

‘A Thank-Offering’ by Ella Higginson is addressed to God. It outlines all the beautiful sights and sounds in a speaker’s everyday life and thanks to God for creating them.

Among the Rocks

by Robert Browning

‘Among the Rocks’ is a beautiful lyric poem written from the perspective of James Lee’s wife, a character of Robert Browning’s collection, Dramatis Personae (1864).

An Eastern Ballad

by Allen Ginsberg

Beyond the Years

by Paul Laurence Dunbar

‘Beyond the Years’ by Paul Laurence Dunbar is a three section poem in which the speaker describes what one will, and will not, experience after death.

Conference Between Christ, The Saints, And The Soul

by Christina Rossetti

‘Conference Between Christ, The Saints, And The Soul’ by Christina Rossetti discusses faith, the afterlife, and how one gets into Heaven.

Darling

by Jackie Kay

‘Darling’ by Jackie Kay describes a woman’s death on a beautiful summer day and her close friend’s reaction. It was inspired by a personal loss the poet experienced.

Departed To The Judgment

by Emily Dickinson

‘Departed To The Judgment’ by Emily Dickinson discusses death and the afterlife. The speaker explores their beliefs about both and how they contrast with others’.

Farewell

by Anne Brontë

Flash Crimson

by Carl Sandburg

Carl Sandburg’s ‘Flash Crimson’ is an emotionally charged, devotional poem where a speaker is eager to ask God for more hardships. It deals with the themes of devotion, morality, legacy, and the afterlife.

For Nanabhai Bhatt

by Sujata Bhatt

‘For Nanabhai Bhatt’ is about the poet Sujata Bhatt’s grandfather, Nanabhai Bhatt, who was an educationist and activist active during the Indian independence movement.

Full Moon and Little Frieda

by Ted Hughes

In ‘Full Moon and Little Frieda,’ Ted Hughes describes his daughter’s observations of the world around her, reflecting on nature and family.

Holy Sonnet II

by John Donne

‘Holy Sonnet II’ by John Donne is the second in a series of religious sonnets that Donne is well-known for. This poem is directed to God and explores a speaker’s concerns about their fate.

Holy Sonnet IX

by John Donne

‘Holy Sonnet IX’ by John Donne, also known by its first line ‘If poisonous minerals, and if that tree’ is one of several “Holy Sonnets” the poet composed during his lifetime. This particular poem focuses on a dispute between the speaker and God.

Holy Thursday (Songs of Experience)

by William Blake

‘Holy Thursday’ by William Blake depicts the poor children of London attending church on Holy Thursday. Specifically, Blake describes their songs, appearance, and how their existence challenges the message the church is trying to convey.

Hope holds to Christ

by Gerard Manley Hopkins

‘Hope holds to Christ’ by Gerard Manley Hopkins is a poem about faith and hope. The speaker spends the lines personifying hope and relating “her” to Christ.

I Am!

by John Clare

‘I Am!’ by John Clare is a powerful poem about a speaker’s struggle with depression, loneliness, and a desire to find peace in Heaven.

I did not reach Thee

by Emily Dickinson

‘I did not reach Thee’ by Emily Dickinson is a complex poem about a speaker’s journey through life. She expresses both optimism and hesitation in the face of her death and attempts to reach God.

Faith Poems