Writing Poems

“Venice — Venus?” (#5 from Hermetic Definition: ‘Red Rose and a Beggar’)

by Hilda Doolittle

“Venice — Venus?” by Hilda Doolittle is an insightful poem about Doolittle’s reasons for writing despite critiques. Doolittle reveals that her ultimate source of inspiration is divine.

This poem takes an honest look at what it is like to be a successful female poet for Hilda Doolittle. Doolittle feels like her words are frequently "brushed aside" and feels hurt by criticism, but continues to write anyway because she feels as if a divine entity is forcing her to write.

Bards of Passion and of Mirth

by John Keats

‘Bards of Passion and of Mirth’ by John Keats is one of the poet’s early odes. In it, Keats confirms that bards, or authors, have two souls, with one rising to heaven, and the other staying on earth.

'Bards of Passion and of Mirth' is an examination of how meaningful stories can be and the merits of becoming a storyteller in any capacity. Keats confirms that all storytellers, including poets and playwrights, get two eternal lives - one in heaven, and the other on earth. There they function as messengers who deliver wisdom to people.

Memorial

by Amanda Gorman

‘Memorial’ by Amanda Gorman is a poem about the past and how poets are able to use their writing to help readers relive it.

Writing is a very important topic in this unique contemporary poem. The poet alludes to the work of various writers in her text.

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.

In context, 'Bestiary' is an introduction to Kay Ryan's "Best Of" poem collection, and it almost laments the good poems that were not included in the book. Thus, Ryan sees her own best works as slightly savage and harsh as they have theoretically weeded out all of the goodness in her writing.

Cottage Street, 1953

by Richard Wilbur

‘Cottage Street, 1953’ by Richard Wilbur is a powerful poem based on the poet’s own experience. It depicts a simple social meeting between his family and the Plaths.

Writing is one of the most important topics in this poem. The speaker alludes to his poetry career and mentions the short decade that Plath studied and wrote poetry before committing suicide in 1963.

The Wind in the Dooryard

by Derek Walcott

‘The Wind in the Dooryard’ by Derek Walcott was written after the death of Eric Roach, a well-respected poet who died by suicide in 1974. This poem is dedicated to his life and work. 

Writing is an important topic in this poem as the poet alludes to the writings of Eric Roach throughout much of the poem. Readers can interpret the feeling of his literature from Walcott's depiction of it.

In This Place (An American Lyric)

by Amanda Gorman

‘In This Place (An American Lyric)’ is a moving poem about American life and the tragedies, acts of bravery, and hope that shape the nation. 

The poet also alludes to the writing of Tracy K. Smith in this poem. There are a few different allusions to Smith's work and to poetry generally. Readers are unlikely to find all of these unless they have a prior knowledge of Smith's writing.

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 Minor Poet

by Stephen Vincent Benét

‘A Minor Poet’ by Stephen Vincent Benét describes the speaker’s beliefs about his own work and how it compares to the work of the world’s greatest writers. 

A Picture of Otto

by Ted Hughes

‘A Picture of Otto’ by Ted Hughes is addressed to Sylvia Plath’s father, Otto. It contains Hughes’ disagreements about how he and Otto were depicted in Plath’s work.

A Poppy Blooms

by Katsushika Hokusai

‘A Poppy Blooms’ by Katsushika Hokusai is a thoughtful poem about writing. The poet uses a metaphor to depict how his process works.

A still— Volcano —Life

by Emily Dickinson

‘A still— Volcano —Life’ by Emily Dickinson is an unforgettable poem that uses an extended metaphor to describe the life of the poet. She compares herself to a volcano that erupts under the cover of darkness.

A Valediction Forbidding Mourning

by Adrienne Rich

Adrienne Rich’s ‘A Valediction Forbidding Mourning’ describes a speaker’s inability to express her thoughts in conventional poetic decorum. Rich wrote this piece in 1970.

American Poetry

by Louis Simpson

‘American Poetry’ appears in Louis Simpson’s award-winning collection At the End of the Open Road (1963). This piece is about the nature and range of poems produced throughout America.

An Introduction to Some Poems

by William Stafford

William Stafford’s ‘An Introduction to Some Poems’ is about the role of budding poets. The speaker says that every life is worth writing about, and a writer’s work is to share “authentic” human experiences.

Anne Hathaway

by Carol Ann Duffy

‘Anne Hathaway’ by Carol Ann Duffy is told from the perceptive of Shakespeare’s wife who discusses their enduring love through the symbol of a bed. 

Ars Poetica

by Archibald MacLeish

‘Ars Poetica’ by Archibald MacLeish describes what the speaker believes to be the elements of successful and unsuccessful poetry. 

Artist’s Life

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

‘Artist’s Life’ by Ella Wheeler Wilcox describes the personal and emotional connection a speaker has to Strauss’ composition, Artist’s Life. 

Bees

by Carol Ann Duffy

‘Bees’ by Carol Ann Duffy is a thoughtful poem that explores writing. The poet uses bee imagery to describe the process of creation. 

Beware: Do Not Read This Poem

by Ishmael Reed

‘Beware: Do Not Read This Poem’ by Ishmael Reed is a thoughtful poem about culture and how language is used to tell stories. The poem warns against becoming too consumed within one method of storytelling.

Breaking the Surface

by Jean Bleakney

‘Breaking the Surface’ by Jean Bleakney is about the “art of skimming,” an extended metaphor for the art of writing poetry.

Constantly Risking Absurdity

by Lawrence Ferlinghetti 

‘Constantly Risking Absurdity’ was first published in 1958 in his collection A Coney Island of the Mind: Poems. The speaker goes on to say that the poet is a “super realist” while at the same time making his way towards where “Beauty stands and waits”.

Diving into the Wreck

by Adrienne Rich

‘Diving into the Wreck’ by Adrienne Rich is an unforgettable poem. It uses diving as a metaphor to describe the fight for equal rights.

Dreamwood

by Adrienne Rich

‘Dreamwood’ by Adrienne Rich jumps between the incredible imagination of a child to the wiser outlook of an older woman.

Exposure

by Seamus Heaney

‘Exposure’ by Seamus Heaney discusses the poet’s role in a society and how he might contribute helpfully to the discourse of the time. 

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