Winter Stars
by Larry Levis
‘Winter Stars’ by Larry Levis tries to reconcile the estranged relationship between a son and their dying father.
I died for beauty but was scarce
by Emily Dickinson
‘I died for beauty but was scarce’ by Emily Dickinson reflects her fascination for death and the possible life to follow.
At First
by Amanda Gorman
‘At First’ by Amanda Gorman is a poem about language in the COVID-19 pandemic. The poem uses text messages to speak about how the pandemic changed everyone.
In This Place (An American Lyric)
by Amanda Gorman
‘In This Place (An American Lyric)’ is a moving poem about American life and the tragedies, acts of bravery, and hope that shape the nation.
Elegy VII: Nature’s lay idiot, I taught thee to love
by John Donne
‘Elegy VII’ by John Donne, also known as ‘Nature’s lay idiot, I taught thee to love,’ is a typical piece about unrequited love.
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.
Going to him! Happy letter!
by Emily Dickinson
‘Going to him! Happy letter!’ by Emily Dickinson is a sweet love poem. It is told from the perceptive of a love letter.
Paradoxes and Oxymorons
by John Ashbery
‘Paradoxes and Oxymorons’ by John Ashbery invites the reader to think about meaning in language through highlighting contradictions.
Sonnet 138
by William Shakespeare
‘Sonnet 138,’ also known as ‘When my love swears that she is made of truth,’ is a poem about the lies at the heart of a relationship. It depicts the necessity of two lovers misleading one another.
Tell all the truth but tell it slant
by Emily Dickinson
‘Tell the truth but tell it slant’ by Emily Dickinson is one of Dickinson’s best-loved poems. It explores an unknown “truth” that readers must interpret in their own way.