Embracing your personal journey, needs, wants, flaws, and strongest character traits are all part of being yourself.
Poems that explore this theme are often more contemporary than classic, but that doesn’t mean being yourself poems are confined to the present day. In fact, poets like William Blake, Rudyard Kipling, and even William Shakespeare considered this topic at one point in their poetic works.
Any piece of poetry that embraces individuality, self-confidence, and the desire to fulfill one’s personal goals is also a poem about being yourself. No matter who you are or where you’re from, these poems have a universal appeal. Everyone wants to be accepted for who they are, and these poets have put that desire into beautiful, unforgettable verse.
‘Poem About My Rights’ by June Jordan is a one-stanza poem revealing a speaker’s thoughts on misogyny, sexism, and racism from their experience. It is celebrated for accurately portraying the struggles of women and men of color in a patriarchial and predominantly white society.
This topic only becomes apparent towards the end of the poem, where the persona encourages her people to live as they are.
Dickinson’s ‘The Soul selects her own Society’ depicts a Soul that isolates herself and selectively chooses one companion.
The idea of being yourself is embedded in the Soul's unwavering commitment to her journey and choices. The poem emphasizes individuality and self-confidence as the Soul embraces her own needs, wants, and character traits. By rejecting social or superficial relationships, the Soul stays true to her values and desires, selecting her companions based on genuine connection rather than conformity. This deliberate choice to live authentically celebrates the beauty of embracing one's unique path or being unapologetically yourself.
Stevie Smith’s ‘Not Waving but Drowning’ is a tragic account of a dead man whose cry for help is mistakenly regarded as a mere greeting.
For most of her life, poet Stevie Smith upheld her individuality and individual conviction. Her works also reveal that. This is in a way a rewarding experience and a painful experience at the same time. This theme is explored in the poem through the tale of the “dead man.”
‘My Beautiful Life’ by Mitsuo Aida is a reminder to value and celebrate who we are and what we have, rather than constantly striving for something more.
The poem encourages readers to be true to themselves and to embrace their individuality, rather than trying to fit in with societal expectations or desires. The tomato and melon metaphor highlights the absurdity of trying to be something we are not and suggests that true happiness can be found by being ourselves.
Because it has lived its life intensely
the parched grass still attracts the gaze of passers-by.
‘Homing’ by Liz Berry is an inspirational and sometimes sad poem about identity and how individuals are forced to conform to societal norms.
Being yourself is a very important part of this poem. The speaker wants nothing more than to help you reclaim your voice that's locked under your bed and return to who you were really meant to be.
‘How to Eat a Poem’ by Eve Merriam uses eating fruit as a metaphor for reading poetry to encourage readers to enjoy poetry.
The poem also liberates the readers from societal norms and urges them to go with the flow of their instincts. It means that reading poetry is a very intimate process that does not involve following the rules of conduct and behavior, which is liberating.
Don't be polite.
Bite in.
Pick it up with your fingers and lick the juice that
‘i am water’ by Rupi Kaur is a thoughtful poem that uses water as a metaphor for the speaker’s softer and tougher nature.
In this poem, the speaker defines their identity through a water metaphor, embracing qualities that might seem contradictory on the surface. Both "soft" and "tough", the speaker resists one-dimensional labels, insisting that a person can be multifaceted and self-defined. Being yourself in this poem is rejecting assigned roles and choosing one’s own way to embody strength and softness.
‘Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror’ by John Ashbery manifests art’s struggle to capture the multifaceted self.
In essence, Ashberry's poem engages with the profound challenge of being oneself in a world that often imposes external influences and distortions. It highlights the importance of introspection, authenticity, and the journey of self-discovery in the pursuit of living genuinely and embracing one's true identity.
As Parmigianino did it, the right hand
Bigger than the head, thrust at the viewer
And swerving easily away, as though to protect
What it advertises. A few leaded panes, old beams,
Zephaniah’s ‘Dis Poetry’ is a vibrant manifesto of identity and freedom, breaking from tradition to celebrate authentic self-expression.
This poem is all about staying true to who you are and not changing to please others. Zephaniah writes in his natural voice, using his own way of speaking instead of following traditional poetry styles. He does not try to sound formal or polished, and he encourages others to express themselves freely. His message is that poetry, like identity, should be honest, personal, and a reflection of the individual.
‘Dressing Up’ looks at the life of someone growing up not conforming to gender norms and how this affects their familial bonds.
The speaker wishes to be themselves throughout the poem. They wish to escape the past where they grew up so that they can express themselves freely, and they also wish to be able to dress the way they wanted while they were growing up. Despite the neighborhood gossip and their mother’s anger and disapproval, they continued trying to be themselves.
‘Still I Rise’ is an inspiring and emotional poem that’s based around Maya Angelou’s experiences as a Black woman in America. It encourages readers to love themselves fully and persevere in the face of every hardship.
The theme of being oneself resonates throughout 'Still I Rise,' emphasizing the importance of embracing one's authentic identity. Maya Angelou's words encourage readers to defy societal expectations and be true to themselves. The poem celebrates the power of self-expression and the refusal to conform to narrow standards. It serves as a reminder that embracing one's true self is an act of empowerment and liberation.
‘Warning’ by Jenny Joseph describes what the future has in store as one ages and throws off societal restraints and expectations.
Much of the poem focuses on the idea of acting without apology, as the speaker looks forward to a time when she no longer edits her behavior to meet expectations. Everyday habits, clothing, and small actions become expressions of self rather than performances for others. This focus suggests that being yourself is often delayed by fear of judgment, and that freedom comes when a person finally allows personal truth to guide daily choices.
When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
‘A Poem For My Children’ is a short, Zen-like poem that imparts a lesson about authenticity and enjoyment in life.
In this poem, the speaker rejects the pressures of society and any expectations that this might lead a child to feel as though they are under. The speaker describes the way in which they think authenticity is important, so that people can choose to do what they want with their lives and to do those things in a manner that they want to do them in.
‘Knock Knock’ by Daniel Beaty is a heartfelt poem exploring themes of loss and hope through the powerful narrative of a father-son relationship.
The touching poem talks about the importance of being yourself through the father's advice to his son. He encourages the son to carry his spirit, yet make his own choices, highlighting that while he is his father's child, he is not bound by his father's choices. The father urges the son to forge his own path, embrace his individuality, and pursue his unique potential, reinforcing the idea that one's identity is shaped by personal choices and agency.
As a boy I shared a game with my father.
Played it every morning ‘til I was 3.
He would knock knock on my door, and I’d pretend to be asleep ‘til he got right next to the bed,
‘Black Hair’ by Gary Soto is a contemporary poem that offers an introspective look at a child watching a baseball game.
The central theme of 'Black Hair' is accepting who you are. In the poem, we see that the speaker, a child, initially views himself in a negative way and feels isolated from those around him. However, being able to watch the success of their hero allows the speaker to view himself as capable of the same success.
