Persimmons by Li-Young Lee
‘Persimmons’ by Li-Young Lee is a beautiful poem that describes the poet’s interest in language. It explores how a persimmon comes to symbolize both his family connections and his feelings of alienation from his peers.
Immigrant Blues by Li-Young Lee
How does it feel when the body and the soul are not in conjunction? Read Li-Young Lee’s meditative piece ‘Immigrant Blues’ to understand what it really feels like.
Teaching English from an Old Composition Book by Gary Soto
Gary Soto’s ‘Teaching English from an Old Composition Book’ is about a teacher instructing some Mexican-American immigrant students in a night school. Soto portrays their harsh living conditions and the struggle to cope in a new culture.
At First by Amanda Gorman
‘At First’ by Amanda Gorman is a poem about language in the COVID-19 pandemic. The poem uses text messages to speak about how the pandemic changed everyone.
The Language by Robert Creeley
‘The Language’ by Robert Creeley is an interesting poem that grows easier to understand with each reading. It discusses love and the way its conveyed and felt.
Arabic by Naomi Shihab Nye
‘Arabic’, a thoughtful poem by Naomi Shihab Nye appears in Red Suitcase: Poems (1994). This poem features a speaker’s forgetfulness concerning her mother tongue (Arabic) and culture.
When All My Five and Country Senses See by Dylan Thomas
‘When All My Five and Country Senses See’ describes the necessity of paying attention to one’s senses for love to function.
Head of English by Carol Ann Duffy
‘Head of English’ by Carol Ann Duffy is made up of a jealous monologue from the perspective of the head of an English program.
The Three Oddest Words by Wislawa Szymborska
‘The Three Oddest Words’ is a poem that addresses peculiarities of language in ways that reflect the peculiarities themselves.
Thanks in Winter by Harri Webb
‘Thanks in Winter’ is a poem about the Welsh cultural legacy that continues to be passed down to other poets.
The Old Tongue by Herbert Williams
Herbert Williams’ ‘The Old Tongue’ is a poem about the gradual waning of traditional language and culture in Wales.
The British (serves 60 Million) by Benjamin Zephaniah
‘The British (serves 60 Million)’ is a quirky and amusing poem celebrating the diverse cultural heritage of Great Britain.
Search for My Tongue by Sujata Bhatt
‘Search for My Tongue’ by Sujata Bhatt describes the speaker’s struggle embracing a new culture and “tongue.” While fearing they’ll forsake the core details of who they are in the process.
What is it? by Mary Majanja
‘What is it?’, by Mary Majanja, is a riddle poem that forces the reader to examine the definition of beauty and what it means to be beautiful.
Days by Philip Larkin
‘Days’ by Philip Larkin is a beautiful poem that contemplates life in the poet’s typical fashion. He asks the reader to consider “What are days for?”
Listen Mr. Oxford Don by John Agard
John Agard’s ‘Listen Mr. Oxford Don’ subverts traditional ideas about correct usage of the English language, immigration and cultural heritage.
Death of a Naturalist by Seamus Heaney
‘Death of a Naturalist’ shows a child’s fascination of the countryside, followed by a sharp shock when he senses the dark side of nature.
Backdrop by Agha Shahid Ali
‘Backdrop’ by Agha Shahid Ali is a thoughtful poem that speaks about the Arabic language. It also reflects on the speaker’s connection to his ancestors.