The Harvest Moon by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
‘The Harvest Moon’ by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow describes the way that the light of the harvest moon touches everything. It is an indication that fall is here and that winter is on its way.
In the Light of the Moon by Delmira Agustini
‘In the Light of the Moon’ by Delmira Agustini explores the power of the moon. The speaker is drawn to the moon due to its white innocence and its power to soothe her soul.
When I Die by Mewlana Jalaluddin Rumi
‘When I Die’ is an incredible Rumi poem about eternal life after death. The poet proposes not to grieve his death as it’s just a means to a new beginning, not an end.
The Prediction by Mark Strand
Mark Strand’s poem ‘The Prediction’ is about the inevitability of death. It depicts a moonlit night where a lady anticipates her imminent death.
Crescent by C. D. Wright
Carolyn D. Wright’s ‘Crescent’ is a thoughtful poem that describes a speaker’s intimate, incoherent feelings. She appreciates the nocturne with warmth and passion.
The cold earth slept below by Percy Bysshe Shelley
‘The cold earth slept below’ by Percy Bysshe Shelley describes the state of the world on a freezing winter night and the discovery of a lover’s cold body.
The grove of golden trees has fallen silent… by Sergei Yesenin
‘The grove of golden trees has fallen silent’ by Sergei Yesenin was written in 1924 and originally published in Yesenin’s native tongue, Russian. It appears in this analysis in translated English, by Anton Yakovlev.
A Night Thought by William Wordsworth
‘A Night Thought’ by William Wordsworth describes a speaker’s displeasure at those among the human race who do not appreciate what fortune has given them.
Magdalen Walks by Oscar Wilde
‘Magdalen Walks’ by Oscar Wilde describes the coming of spring and the vibrant, continually moving elements which herald its arrival.
I Shall Not Pass This Way Again by Eva Rose York
‘I Shall Not Pass This Way Again’ by Eva Rose York is made up of a speaker’s goodbye to a place she loves and a declaration of her future intentions.
Sabbath Morning at Sea by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
‘Sabbath Morning at Sea’ by Elizabeth Barrett Browning describes the experiences of a speaker trapped on board a ship at sea.
The Vast Hour by Genevieve Taggard
‘The Vast Hour’ by Genevieve Taggard describes the changes that come over the world as day gives way to a sightless and soundless night.
A Child’s Sleep by Carol Ann Duffy
‘A Child’s Sleep’ by Carol Ann Duffy describes the ideal, peaceful sleep of a child, who is watched over by her mother as she dreams.
Amends by Adrienne Rich
‘Amends’ by Adrienne Rich is a beautiful poem in which the poet depicts the moon. She describes its presence in the sky and the peace it brings to humanity.
A Hope Carol by Christina Rossetti
‘A Hope Carol’ describes a liminal space in which a speaker is existing and the elements which inspire her to hope for the future.
They Lived Enamoured of the Lovely Moon by Trumbull Stickney
‘They Lived Enamoured of the Lovely Moon’ by Trumbull Stickney speaks of the brief life of two lovers and their love’s impact on the world as a whole.
Winter by Walter de la Mare
‘Winter’ by Walter de la Mare tells of the stark beauty of the winter months and how the constellations look down upon the cold earth.
The Haunted Palace by Edgar Allan Poe
‘The Haunted Palace’ by Edgar Allan Poe describes, through the metaphor of a palace, the physical affects of depression on the human mind.
Shadwell Stair by Wilfred Owen
‘Shadwell Stair’ by Wilfred Owen describes a dockside in London and the emotional turmoil of the ghost that frequents it.
September Midnight by Sara Teasdale
‘September Midnight’ by Sara Teasdale tells of a speaker’s affection for the last days of summer and all the sights and sounds that go with it.
After Reading ‘Antony and Cleopatra’ by Robert Louis Stevenson
‘After Reading Antony and Cleopatra’ by Robert Louis Stevenson describes humankind’s unquenchable desire for “hopeless things” that stem from the past.
In the Reading-Room of the British Museum by Louise Imogen Guiney
‘In the Reading-Room of the British Museum’ describes the strength that humankind is able to absorb from the reading of historical books.
Check by James Brunton Stephens
‘Check’ by James Bunton Stephens is a short poem that presents a personified description of the coming of night as a woman.
De Profundis by Christina Rossetti
‘De Profundis’ by Christina Rossetti describes a speaker’s longing for heaven, and the impossibility of reaching it during one’s lifetime.
I Looked Up from My Writing by Thomas Hardy
‘I Looked Up from My Writing’ by Thomas Hardy is a existentially contemplative piece in which a writer is confronted with his own ignorance and irresponsibility.
Retrospect by Rupert Brooke
‘Retrospect’ by Rupert Brooke is a forty line poem in which a speaker describes all he would do to retrieve his deified lover from the depths of her “vast unconsciousness.”
He Wishes His Beloved Were Dead by William Butler Yeats
‘He Wishes His Beloved Were Dead’ by William Butler Yeats is a ballad in which one lover yearns for the death of the other so that they may be together as he wishes.
Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold
‘Dover Beach’ by Matthew Arnold is dramatic monologue lamenting the loss of true Christian faith in England during the mid 1800s.
