3 November 1984 by Sujata Bhatt
In ‘3 November 1984,’ Indian-English poet Sujata Bhatt shows how history plays a vital role in the process of writing poetry, and their interconnectedness.
A Stopwatch and an Ordnance Map by Stephen Spender
‘A Stopwatch and an Ordnance Map’ by Stephen Spender explores the Spanish Civil War through the lyrical depiction of one man’s death. It is marked by a stopwatch, the olive trees, and the continued conflict around him.
I have a Bird in spring by Emily Dickinson
‘I have a Bird in spring’ by Emily Dickinson is dedicated to a close friendship poet was concerned about losing. It uses an extended metaphor created through zoomorphism.
Easter Monday (In Memoriam E.T.) by Eleanor Farjeon
‘Easter Monday (In Memoriam E.T.)’ is a fascinating exploration of grief and friendship against the backdrop of the First World War.
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.
With rue my heart is laden by A.E. Housman
‘With rue my heart is laden’ by A.E. Housman is a short and simple poem in which a speaker looks back on what they’ve lost from their youth.
The Arrow and the Song by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
‘The Arrow and the Song’ by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is an interesting poem that utilizes quatrains. Throughout the piece, the speaker alludes to the unknown impact of his poetry before finding it in the heart of his friend in the last stanza.
Friends and Flatterers by William Shakespeare
‘Friends and Flatterers’ by William Shakespeare is a powerful poem about friendship and how to spot those who are true and false.
To a Stranger by Walt Whitman
‘To a Stranger’ by Walt Whitman describes a connection the speaker feels to a stranger they pass on the street.
A Subaltern by Siegfried Sassoon
In ‘A Subaltern’ the speaker catches a glimpse of the innocence and hope he thought the war had erased in a conversation with a junior military officer.
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.
There’s No Power Like Home by Amanda Gorman
‘There’s No Power Like Home’ by Amanda Gorman is a beautiful testament to the difficulties associated with COVID-19 restrictions.
How It Is by Maxine Kumin
‘How It Is’ is written, remembering the best-loved confessional poet, Anne Sexton. This poem centers around an old blue jacket.
A Friend’s Greeting by Edgar Guest
Edgar Guest’s ‘A Friend’s Greeting’ is a heart-touching poem about a speaker’s gratitude for his dearest friend. This poem is written in the form of a greeting in verse.
Friendship by Henry David Thoreau
‘Friendship’ is about the love Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson had for one another. This poem describes the nature of true devotion and how two souls are tied in a bond of love, goodness, and truthfulness.
The Apple-Raid by Vernon Scannell
‘The Apple-Raid’ appears in Vernon Scannell’s poetry collection “The Apple-Raid and Other Poems” published in 1974. This piece explores how the poet and his friends went about collecting apples out of the town.
Holding Hands by Lenore M. Link
‘Holding Hands’ by Lenore M. Link is a light-hearted children’s poem that describes the way elephants “hold hands.” They link tails and spend their days in one another’s company.
Us Two by A. A. Milne
‘Us Two’ is a classic A.A. Milne poem. It depicts the simple and lighthearted adventures of Winnie the Pooh and the speaker, who is likely Christopher Robin.
Wind by Subramania Bharati, translated by A. K. Ramanujan
‘Wind’ by Subramania Bharati focuses on the incredible strength of the wind and uses it as a way to encourage men to be just as strong and capable as it is.
Buckingham Palace by A.A. Milne
‘Buckingham Palace’ is one of the clever poems that A.A. Milne wrote featuring his famous characters from the Winnie-the-Pooh books. It depicts Alice and Christopher’s trip to see the changing of the guard.
Dialogue of Friendship Multiply’d by Katherine Philips
‘Dialogue of Friendship Multiply’d’ by Katherine Philips contains the dialogue between two women, one of whom wishes to begin a friendship with the other.
To My Excellent Lucasia, on Our Friendship by Katherine Philips
‘To My Excellent Lucasia, on Our Friendship’ by Katherine Philips describes the relationship that existed between the poet and her friend Anne Owens.
Orinda to Lucasia by Katherine Philips
‘Orinda to Lucasia’ by Katherine Philips describes the importance and intensity of the relationship she holds with her close friend, Anne Owens.
A Time to Talk by Robert Frost
‘A Time to Talk’ by Robert Frost is a poem abut the importance of friendship. Nothing should get in the way of greeting a friend one truly cares about.
Feather or a Rock by Ellen Welcker
‘Feather or a Rock’ by Ellen Welcker is a deep but playful discussion between two friends about the problems associated with their position in society.
To a Friend in Love with the Wrong Man Again by Stephen Dunn
‘To a Friend in Love with the Wrong Man Again’ by Stephen Dunn describes the ups and downs of love through the story of a digger wasp.
The House of Hospitalities by Thomas Hardy
‘The House of Hospitalities’ by Thomas Hardy describes the remnants of Christmas celebrations which have long been forgotten.
Reflections Irregular by John Rollin Ridge
‘Reflections Irregular’ details the return of a man to a place in which he spent his youth and the ways he has changed in the intervening years.
Summer Friends by Mary Lamb
‘Summer Friends’ by Mary Lamb is a sixteen line poem that speaks to the invulnerable relationship between friends in good times and bad.