Sonnet 8
by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
‘Sonnet 8’ by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, also known as ‘What can I give thee back, O liberal,’ is a Petrarchan sonnet. It explores the poet’s relationship with her new lover, Robert Browning.
The Author to Her Book
by Anne Bradstreet
‘The Author to Her Book’ by Anne Bradstreet is a beautiful poem about the conversation between an author and her
The Face Mask
by Anita Nair
This thirteen lines poem, The Face Mask, is divided into two parts. The first one talks about the fashionable form of
The Heart of a Woman
by Georgia Douglas Johnson
‘The Heart of a Woman’ by Georgia Douglas Johnson describes the freedom for which women yearn and the shelters in which they are imprisoned.
The Language of the Brag
by Sharon Olds
‘The Language of the Brag’ by Sharon Olds is an unforgettable poem about the strength and exceptionality of women’s bodies. It is set against the backdrop of giving birth.
The Mechanic
by Diane Wakoski
‘The Mechanic’ by Diane Wakoski discusses men’s intuitive powers and the complexity of women’s hearts. The poet uses an extended metaphor comparing men to mechanics and women to the complex engines of cars.
The One Girl at the Boys Party
by Sharon Olds
‘The One Girl at the Boys Party’ by Sharon Olds is about a young girl who attends a boy’s pool party. She stands apart from them in a powerful and beautiful way.
The One Who Goes Away
by Sujata Bhatt
‘The One Who Goes Away’ by Sujata Bhatt shares her emotional journey of leaving India and traveling to America. She entails the internal struggle to define what ‘home’ is during that period.
The Poem as Mask
by Muriel Rukeyser
‘The Poem as Mask’ by Muriel Rukeyser is a powerful, feminist poem that speaks to the poet’s experiences in life and with her poetry.
The Prologue
by Anne Bradstreet
‘The Prologue’ by Anne Bradstreet is a subjective poem about the poet. Anne Bradstreet proclaims herself as an uprising author
The Rights of Women
by Anna Lætitia Barbauld
‘The Rights of Women’ by Anna Lætitia Barbauld is a proto-feminist poem that intones the power that a woman might have if she resists social law and rises up to take control over the world.
The Robber Bridegroom
by Margaret Atwood
Margaret Atwood’s ‘The Robber Bridegroom’ details the haunting compulsions and marriage of a murderous bridegroom and his innocent bride.
The Same Note
by Jackie Kay
‘The Same Note’ by Jackie Kay depicts Bessie Smith’s musical ability and how she could unite people from all walks of life.
The Sick Rose
by William Blake
‘The Sick Rose’ by William Blake describes the loss of a woman’s virginity through the metaphor of a rose and invisible worm.
O Rose thou art sick.
The invisible worm,
That flies in the night
In the howling storm:
The Soul selects her own Society
by Emily Dickinson
‘The soul selects her own Society’ by Emily Dickinson emphasizes the solitary nature of the “Soul.” As well as “her” ability to select the “one” she wants to give access to, and then shut out all the rest.
The Soul selects her own Society —
Then — shuts the Door —
To her divine Majority —
Present no more —
The Window
by Diane di Prima
‘The Window,’ an interesting poem is written by the Beat poet Diane di Prima, compares poetry to a “window” to a writer’s soul. It showcases how poetry captures the very essence of the poet and her thoughts.
The Women Gather
by Nikki Giovanni
‘The Women Gather’ is a short, free verse poem that speaks on how we judge one another and the essentially good nature of human beings.
The women gather because it is not unusual to seek comfort in our hours of stress.
A man must be buried.
It is not unusual that the old bury the young though it is an abomination.
To a Dark Girl
by Gwendolyn Brooks
‘To a Dark Girl’ by Gwendolyn Bennett is a moving and inspiring poem that seeks to uplift Black girls and women and remind them of their beauty and strength.
To Madame Curie
by Alice Moore Dunbar-Nelson
‘To Madame Curie’ by Alice Moore Dunbar-Nelson is a fourteen-line sonnet written in the Petrarchan, or Italian, form. This particular
to my last period
by Lucille Clifton
‘to my last period’ by Lucille Clifton is a thoughtful poem. In it, the speaker mourns for her lost youth and acknowledges further changes to come.
To My Mother
by Edgar Allan Poe
‘To My Mother’ by Edgar Allan Poe is a thoughtful poem that addresses the poet’s personal losses, such as the death of his biological mother, and what high esteem he now holds mothers in.
Two Women
by Marcus Wilcox
‘Two Women’ by Marcus Wilcox is a thoughtful and complex poem about identity. The speaker spends the text discussing the lives of two different women.
Void in Law
by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
‘Void in Law’ by Elizabeth Barrett Browning depicts the scuffle many Victorian women endured after getting married. The woman has been left alone with no real resources by a husband who prefers to spend time with his mistress.
We Are At War
by Gcina Mhlope
‘We Are At War’ by Gcina Mhlope is a rallying cry for women to stand up to their oppressors across the African continent.
When You Come
by Maya Angelou
‘When You Come’ by Maya Angelou is a powerful piece about a past love. The poet uses figurative language to emphasize the experience of reliving the past.
When you come to me, unbidden,
Beckoning me
To long-ago rooms,
Who in One Lifetime
by Muriel Rukeyser
‘Who in One Lifetime’ by Muriel Rukeyser is a poem about resistance in the face of war and suffering. The speaker asserts that a woman referred to only as “she” is standing strong despite what she’s seen.
Women and Roses
by Robert Browning
‘Women and Roses’ by Robert Browning conveys a man’s perspective on women throughout time. They are represented by three apples on his metaphorical apple tree.
Women
by Alice Walker
‘Women’ is a short poem praising previous generations of African American women who fought for the education of girls.
Your One Good Dress
by Brenda Shaughnessy
‘Your One Good Dress’ by Brenda Shaughnessy is a compelling poem about choosing the right dress. The one dress “you” choose should represent you in a clear and powerful way.
