200+ Poems about Life Lessons

Bestiary

by Kay Ryan

‘Bestiary’ by Kay Ryan is a short, cynical, and witty free verse poem in which the speaker explores the differences between what is good and what is best.

'Bestiary' is, in some ways, a plea for people, and poems, to simply be "good." By critically looking at how the best things erase goodness, replacing mediocrity with a fierce passion for winning, the poet implies that goodness is lost in a world where "best" is the ideal.

How Did You Die?

by Edmund Vance Cooke

‘How Did You Die?’ by Edmund Vance Cooke is a rhyming poem that tries to impart an idealized view of perseverance in life.

The poem's didactic nature implies a life lesson is being given by the speaker. That lesson focuses on how people should face their problems and view theur failures, encouraging them to take heart in their perseverance alone.

The House by the Side of the Road

by Sam Walter Foss

‘The House by the Side of the Road’ by Sam Walter Foss was a once-popular American poem about caring for and helping other people.

This poem seeks to remind readers of important lessons one should keep in mind throughout life.

‘Twas the old — road — through pain—

by Emily Dickinson

‘Twas the old — road — through pain—’ by Emily Dickinson describes a woman’s path from life to death and her entrance into Heaven.

The woman learns a great deal as she walks through life, these life lessons are conveyed through allusions to the reader.

Nobility

by Alice Cary

‘Nobility’ by Alice Cary is a straightforward, inspirational poem about where honor and nobility truly come from.

This poem is a five-stanza life lesson. Throughout the lines, the poet conveys the specific facts of what they see as a life well-lived.

Steps

by Frank O’Hara

‘Steps’ by Frank O’Hara is one of the poet’s many pieces that explores life in New York City. It is written in his characteristic style and is filled with allusions that are sometimes hard to interpret.

In this poem, the poet hoped to convey the life lesson that living is a joy, and even when life isn't perfect. It's important to recognize how beautiful it is to be alive. Particularly, the poet adds, to be alive in his favorite city-- New York City.

Basketball Rule #1

by Kwame Alexander

The poet's life lesson in this piece is that caring for one's family and loving them above all else is important. This is depicted through the poet's basketball imagery, giving the poem a clever twist.

The Fool’s Prayer

by Edward Rowland Sill

‘The Fool’s Prayer’ by Edward Rowland Sill is a religious poem that reminds readers, and all the characters in the poem, what it takes to live a good, morally righteous life.

Everyone listening to the Fool's prayer learns a life lesson. They refer to themselves as "fools" in the final lines, realizing their sins and mistakes.

Waiting

by John Burroughs

‘Waiting’ by John Burroughs is an interesting, powerful poem written by a poet born in the mid-19th century. It asserts his, or a persona’s opinion about his fate.

The speaker has learned a lot about his life so far. His life lessons have taught him that he shouldn't resist the future. He should let it play out.

Gradatim

by Josiah Gilbert Holland

‘Gradatim’ by Josiah Gilbert Holland is a poem about the lifetime of work it takes to climb the ladder to Heaven. One needs to dedicate themselves to a life of good deeds to reach God.

This poem could be described as an important life lesson for those who subscribe to Christianity. Focusing one's life on completing good deeds is key to the poet's understanding of religion.

“Let the world’s sharpness…” Sonnets from the Portuguese (XXIV)

by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

‘Let the world’s sharpness’ (Sonnet 24) is a poem that proposes a resolution to the world’s strife — all turn to, and accept, Love.

A Dream within a Dream

by Edgar Allan Poe

Published in 1849, ‘A Dream Within a Dream’ by Edgar Allan Poe examines the subtleties of time. His speaker delves into our perception of it and its effects.

A Hot Noon in Malabar

by Kamala Das

A Married State

by Katherine Philips

A Noiseless Patient Spider

by Walt Whitman

A Question

by Robert Frost

Frost’s ‘A Question’ is a powerfully emotional poem. In it, the poet paints a picture of suffering, pointing to the fact that life itself is filled with scars of the soul and body.

A Rolling Stone

by Robert Service

In ‘A Rolling Stone’, Robert Service reflects on the simple idea of getting away from the convoluted machinations of the modern world. The poem was published in Rhymes of a Rolling Stone in 1912.

a song in the front yard

by Gwendolyn Brooks

‘a song in the front yard’ by Gwendolyn Brooks is a well-known poem about a young speaker’s interest in the darker side of life.

A Time for Everything

by Ecclesiastes

Acrostic

by Lewis Carroll

Admonition

by Elizabeth Jennings

‘Admonition’ by Elizabeth Jennings describes how one should maintain control over their own life rather than designate their responsibilities to others.

After Prayers, Lie Cold

by C.S. Lewis

All the world’s a stage

by William Shakespeare

‘All the world’s a stage’ is a well-known monologue found in William Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’. This speech of Jaques explores the seven ages of man and their implications.

Ambulances

by Philip Larkin

‘Ambulances’ by Philip Larkin presents readers with a thoughtful and concerning depiction of cities. He focuses on the presence of death and its inevitability.

Answers

by Elizabeth Jennings

‘Answers’ by Elizabeth Jennings describes how one speaker compartmentalizes the big questions and answers in life in the back of her mind.

Any Human to Another

by Countee Cullen

In Countee Cullen’s poem, ‘Any Human to Another,’ the speaker describes how essential human interaction is. He also reveals how one person suffering affects everyone.

As I Walked Out One Evening

by W.H. Auden

‘As I Walked Out One Evening’ by W. H. Auden is a poem about the unconquerable nature of death and the imperfect nature of love. This piece was first published in 1940 in the poet’s collection Another Time.

Ascetic

by Patrick Kavanagh

Ask Me

by William Stafford

‘Ask Me’ appears in William Stafford’s one of the best-known poetry collections, Ask Me: 100 Essential Poems of William Stafford. This metaphorical poem is bout life and memories.

Auguries of Innocence

by William Blake

‘Auguries of Innocence’ by William Blake is a poem from his notebook, known as the Pickering Manuscript. This poem by presenting a series of paradoxical ideas revolves around the theme of innocence vs experience.

Life Lessons Poems