A Woman Waits for Me by Walt Whitman
Formerly known as ‘Poem of Procreation,’ Whitman’s ‘A Woman Waits for Me’ is all about the power of regeneration, procreation, and creativity.
Monuments for a Friendly Girl at a Tenth Grade Party by William Stafford
William Stafford shows his unique style of writing, the use of imagery, and symbolism in his poem ‘Monuments for a Friendly Girl at a Tenth Grade Party.’ He uses flashbacks to his school days when he first met his childhood love, Ruth, and felt “alive.”
To The Stone-Cutters by Robinson Jeffers
Robinson Jeffers’s poem ‘To The Stone-Cutters’ explores the similarities between rock-cut sculptures and poetry. This piece highlights the timelessness of poetry.
Flash Crimson by Carl Sandburg
Carl Sandburg’s ‘Flash Crimson’ is an emotionally charged, devotional poem where a speaker is eager to ask God for more hardships. It deals with the themes of devotion, morality, legacy, and the afterlife.
My Son, My Executioner by Donald Hall
Donald Hall’s poem ‘My Son, My Executioner’ centers on how a speaker looks at his child’s innocent face and wishes to die in order to get immortality. It taps on the spiritual bliss of parenting.
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.
Teach me your mood, O patient stars! by Ralph Waldo Emerson
‘Teach me your mood, O patient stars!’ by Ralph Waldo Emerson is a beautiful short poem about the nature of life and death. The speaker addresses the stars and discusses their “mood.”
Virtue by George Herbert
‘Virtue’ is one of George Herbert’s spiritual poems stressing the need of keeping a virtuous soul. Herbert creates a contrast between earthly things and a virtuous soul to make his point.
Unending Love by Rabindranath Tagore
‘Unending Love’ is a beautiful love poem written by the maestro and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, popularly known as the “Gurudev” of Bengali poetry. This poem taps on the themes of spiritual love and immortality.
For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon
‘For the Fallen’ by Laurence Binyon is a beautiful and powerful war poem. It addresses the losses England suffered in World War I while celebrating the soldier’s patriotism and bravery.
Sonnet 107 by William Shakespeare
Read Shakespeare’s Sonnet 107, ‘Not mine own fears, nor the prophetic soul,’ with a summary and complete analysis of the poem.
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”.
Died.. by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
‘Died..’ by Elizabeth Barrett Browning explores the impact of a man’s death while also exploring the immorality of passing judgements, good or bad.
Piteous My Rhyme by Christina Rossetti
‘Piteous My Rhyme’ contains a speaker’s musings on the nature of love and the different forms, all immortal, that it can take.
The Great Lover by Rupert Brooke
‘The Great Lover’ by Rupert Brooke contains a speaker’s profession of love for his past partners and a wide range of objects and experiences.
Transfiguration by Louisa May Alcott
‘Transfiguration’ by Louisa May Alcott is a personal poem written from the poet’s own perspective. It details her emotions surrounding her mother.
Sonnet 75 by Edmund Spenser
‘Sonnet 75′ is part of Amoretti, a sonnet cycle that describes Edmund Spenser’s courtship and marriage to Elizabeth Boyle.
My Book by Robert Service
In writing ‘My Book,’ Robert Service reminds his readers about the importance of avoiding judgement on others and instead focusing on themselves.
Sonnet 55 by William Shakespeare
Read Shakespeare’s Sonnet 55, ‘Not marble, nor the gilded monuments,’ with a summary and complete analysis of the poem.
Leda and the Swan by William Butler Yeats
Published in Yeats’ collection of Later Poems in 1926, ‘Leda and the Swan’ is a sonnet based on a myth from Greek mythology. According to Greek myth, Leda was the mother of mankind.
When I have Fears that I may Cease to Be by John Keats
John Keats, the poet of ‘When I have Fears that I may Cease to Be’, was obsessed with death. In a certain way, his obsession with death is not completely surprising at all.
Ode on a Grecian Urn by John Keats
‘Ode on a Grecian Urn,’ an ekphrastic poem, is one of John Keats’ “Great Odes of 1819”.
“Beauty is truth, truth beauty,—that is all”, have you ever wondered how confident a poet can be to utter these memorable words?
Because I could not stop for Death by Emily Dickinson
‘Because I could not stop for death,’ Dickinson’s best-known poem, is a depiction of one speaker’s journey into the afterlife with personified “Death” leading the way.
