Love of Country
by Sir Walter Scott
‘Love of Country’ presents a world in which patriotism is the most important virtue of all and the lack of it is unforgivable.
A Mark of Resistance
by Adrienne Rich
‘A Mark of Resistance’ by Adrienne Rich is a poem about individual resistance. The poet voices her solidarity with those who face discrimination from society.
A Person is a Person Because of Other People
by Jeremy Cronin
‘A Person is a Person Because of Other People’ by Jeremy Cronin is a poem which examines the idea of communication, in its various forms.
Alarum
by Amanda Gorman
‘Alarum’ by Amanda Gorman speaks about extinction and the climate crisis, alluding to the fate of humankind if nothing changes.
Betrothal
by Carol Ann Duffy
‘Betrothal’ appears in Carol Ann Duffy’s T.S. Eliot Prize-winning collection of poetry Rapture (2005). It offers readers a speaker’s desperate attempts to submit herself through the institution of marriage.
Broadway
by Walt Whitman
‘Broadway’ by Walt Whitman is a short, effective poem that speaks to the nature of contemporary life. It focuses in on one street in New York City.
Darkness and Light
by Stephen Spender
‘Darkness and Light’ by Stephen Spender is a complex, abstract poem in which a speaker battles with two sides of himself.
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.
Got You
by Jackie Kay
‘Got You’ by Jackie Kay is an interesting poem about sibling jealousy and the strength of sisterhood. The speaker is a discouraged child who believes her sister is superior to her in every way.
Her Kind
by Anne Sexton
‘Her Kind’ by Anne Sexton is a thought-provoking poem in which a woman discusses and celebrates her individuality and all the things that set her apart from others.
I Years had been from Home
by Emily Dickinson
‘I Years had been from Home’ by Emily Dickinson is a thoughtful poem that speaks to one’s perceptions and fears of change.
I’m “wife” – I’ve finished that
by Emily Dickinson
‘I’m “wife” – I’ve finished that’ by Emily Dickinson explores independence and womanhood. The poet depicts an unmarried woman and contrasts her with a wife.
Indian Boarding School: The Runaways
by Louise Erdrich
‘Indian Boarding School: The Runaways’ by Louise Erdrich is an incredibly moving poem. In it, the poet details the lives of children forced to live at a Native American boarding school.
Love Nest
by Jackie Kay
‘Love Nest’ by Jackie Kay depicts the difficulties that same-sex couples face and society’s cruel infiltrates their relationships and homes. The poet uses a skillful, multilayered extended metaphor in this piece.
Me We
by Muhammad Ali
Comprising only two syllables, Ali’s ‘Me We’ is one of the shortest poems ever written. This poem evokes a wide array of meanings with just two simple pronouns.
Muse
by Meena Alexander
‘Muse’ by Meena Alexander is a poem about the poet’s muse or source of inspiration. The poet recalls meeting and being positively influenced by a girl in her youth.
My Grandmother
by Jackie Kay
‘My Grandmother’ by Jackie Kay depicts the poet’s understanding of her grandmother. The includes a juxtaposition between her positive and negative qualities.
My Mother
by Ellen Bryant Voigt
‘My Mother’ by Ellen Bryant Voigt explores a speaker’s understanding of her mother and how her mother considered her as she aged.
Olives
by A. E. Stallings
‘Olives’ is the title poem of A.E. Stallings’ third book of poetry by the same name. It explores the features of the fruit and its resemblance to her poems.
One day is there of the series
by Emily Dickinson
‘One day is there of the series’ by Emily Dickinson explores the holiday Thanksgiving and how its celebrated in America.
One’s-Self I Sing
by Walt Whitman
‘One’s-Self I Sing’ by Walt Whitman is a short poem that explores a few of the themes Whitman is going to use in Inscriptions. The poem celebrates the beauty and wonder of the common and separate identities of humanity.
Our Grandmothers
by Maya Angelou
‘Our Grandmothers’ by Maya Angelou explores understanding and acceptance. It includes themes of family and relationships.
Poem by Eeyore
by Alan Alexander Milne
‘Poem by Eeyore’ is one of the best poems A.A. Milne wrote featuring characters from Winnie-the-Pooh. In this case, Eeyore shares his relatable thoughts about writing.
Pride
by Jackie Kay
‘Pride’ by Jackie Kay is a moving poem about identity and pride. The poet utilized her personal experience when writing this piece.
Queenhood
by Simon Armitage
‘Queenhood’ by Simon Armitage was written to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. It celebrates the Queen’s lifetime of service and describes the unique features of her life.
She rose to His Requirement—dropt
by Emily Dickinson
‘She rose to His Requirement – dropt’ by Emily Dickinson speaks to the lack of freedom and respect women had in Dickinson’s time. It emphasizes the confining nature of marriage and society’s expectations for a married woman.
The Forced Recruit
by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
‘The Forced Recruit’ by Elizabeth Barrett Browning tells the very real story of a brave Italian man who was forced to fight against his country.