Never Trust a Mirror by Erin Hanson
‘Never Trust a Mirror’ by Erin Hanson is a poem about beauty and self-worth. The poet describes the untrustworthy nature of a mirror and how one shouldn’t take what they see in it for granted.
The Pornographer by Robert Hass
‘The Pornographer’ appears in Robert Hass’s Yale Series of Younger Poets Award-winning collection Field Guide (1973). This poem is all about an artist who finds it difficult to get rid of his thoughts.
Quinceañera by Judith Ortiz Cofer
‘Quinceañera’ appears in Judith Ortiz Cofer’s Silent Dancing: A Partial Remembrance of a Puerto Rican Childhood (1991). This coming-of-age poem is about a speaker’s physical and mental changes.
The Youngest Daughter by Cathy Song
‘The Youngest Daughter’ was published in Cathy Song’s first poetry collection Picture Bride (1983). This poem explores the relationship of an aging daughter and her mother.
Show It At the Beach by Shel Silverstein
‘Show It At the Beach’ by Shel Silverstein addresses taboos in contemporary society. Specifically, the poem considers when nudity is appropriate and when it isn’t (on the beach).
when god lets my body be by E.E. Cummings
‘when god lets my body be’ is a poem about the cycle of life and death. The poet E.E. Cummings describes how he wishes to be part of nature through death.
Question by May Swenson
‘Question’ is a poem written in the form of an interrogation. Throughout this piece, May Swenson asks how she could hide her soul after the body dies.
Farmhand by James K. Baxter
‘Farmhand’ by James K. Baxter describes the lack of confidence a farmhand has regarding his appearance and relationship prospects.
The History of Red by Linda Hogan
‘The History of Red’ by Linda Hogan describes the life of the color “red” and how it has represented humankind’s will to live through time.
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.