I have never seen “Volcanoes” by Emily Dickinson
‘I have never seen “Volcanoes”’ by Emily Dickinson is a clever, complex poem that compares humans and their emotions to a volcano’s eruptive power.
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.
Australia 1970 by Judith Wright
‘Australia 1970’ by Judith Wright speaks on the changing landscape of Australia in the 1970s. It promotes a version of Australia that is fierce, wild, and dangerous just like the animals that have always lived within its boundaries.
Our revels now are ended by William Shakespeare
‘Our revels now are ended’ is the name given to one of the best-known speeches from William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. It can be found in Act IV, Scene 1, and is spoken by Prospero.
Earth by John Hall Wheelock
‘Earth’ by John Hall Wheelock is a short poem that addresses humanity’s intelligence. It features a Martian astronomer who is considering what happened to planet Earth.
The Sky is low — the Clouds are mean by Emily Dickinson
‘The Sky is low — the Clouds are mean’ by Emily Dickinson is a creative poem about nature’s attitudes. The poet uses personification to depict the ups and downs of a particular storm.
The Unfinished by Laurie Sheck
‘The Unfinished’ by Laurie Sheck is a complex and powerful poem about meaning, the purpose of life, and free will.
Redemption by George Herbert
‘Redemption’ by George Herbert speaks on one man’s long journey to find God amongst the secular, and therefore the ability to start a new life.
A Hymn to God the Father by John Donne
‘A Hymn to God the Father’ by John Donne is a well-loved poem about God and religion. It contains a speaker’s prayers that he be forgiven a series of unnamed sins.
To A Shade by William Butler Yeats
‘To A Shade’ is a political poem that speaks on the treatment of Charles Parnell the leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party.
Talking in Bed by Philip Larkin
‘Talking in Bed’ by Philip Larkin depicts the difficulties a speaker has talking in bed with his lover. It’s a poem about how loneliness can invade even the most initmate moments.
The Pig by Roald Dahl
‘The Pig’ by Roald Dahl describes the thought process of an intelligent pig that realizes he is being raised to become a meal for humans.
The Sign-Post by Edward Thomas
‘The Sign-Post’ by Edward Thomas contains a discussion within a speaker’s mind about the progression of time and the nature of Heaven.
The Evening Wind by William Cullen Bryant
‘The Evening Wind’ describes the impact that the evening wind has on varying parts of the earth, human and non-human alike.
To Earthward by Robert Frost
‘To Earthward’ by Robert Frost contemplates the speaker’s connection to the earth. As he’s aged, he’s sought out more painful experiences in order to feel the same as he did in his youth.
Prologue of the Earthly Paradise by William Morris
‘Prologue of the Earthly Paradise’ speaks of a poet’s intention to create a paradise on earth in which one can escape their troubles.
Waking Early Sunday Morning by Robert Lowell
‘Waking Early Sunday Morning’ by Robert Lowell speaks on the current godless, moral state of earth and the future of humankind.
Songs of the Spavinaw by Ruth Muskrat Bronson
‘Songs of the Spavinaw’ by Ruth Muskrat Bronson describes the powers, abilities and fears of a river which is at the mercy of humankind.
God’s World by Edna St. Vincent Millay
‘God’s World’ by Edna St. Vincent Millay describes the wonders of nature and the value a speaker places on the sights she observes.
Poppies on the Wheat by Helen Hunt Jackson
‘Poppies on the Wheat’ by Helen Hunt Jackson describes the pleasure in the sight of a wheat field in Italy which is covered in lines of poppies.
The Thaw by Henry David Thoreau
‘The Thaw’ by Henry David Thoreau describes a speaker’s desire to be an integral part of an ecosystem, and his acceptance that he has to remain “silent.”
On Time by John Milton
‘On Time’ by John Milton describes the one element of human existence which must be extinguished for a truly utopian world to exist.
The History of Red by Linda Hogan
‘The History of Red’ by Linda Hogan describes the life of the color “red” and how it has represented humankind’s will to live through time.
Shall earth no more inspire thee by Emily Brontë
‘Shall earth no more inspire thee’ is made up of one person’s impassioned plea to another to leave behind emotional darkness and return to past peace.
Break of Day in the Trenches by Isaac Rosenberg
‘Break of Day in the Trenches’ by Isaac Rosenberg delves into the desolate feelings of alienation from the “other” that impacted soldiers in Word War I.
Winter by Walter de la Mare
‘Winter’ by Walter de la Mare tells of the stark beauty of the winter months and how the constellations look down upon the cold earth.
In the Bleak Midwinter by Christina Rossetti
‘In the Bleak Midwinter’ describes the birth of the Christ child on a “bleak midwinter” day and those who came to see him.
The Ivy Green by Charles Dickens
‘The Ivy Green’ by Charles Dickens describes the resilient characteristics of green ivy and its ability to make a feast of what humans leaves behind.
Check by James Brunton Stephens
‘Check’ by James Bunton Stephens is a short poem that presents a personified description of the coming of night as a woman.
De Profundis by Christina Rossetti
‘De Profundis’ by Christina Rossetti describes a speaker’s longing for heaven, and the impossibility of reaching it during one’s lifetime.