The Three Ravens (English Folk Ballad)
‘The Three Ravens’ is an English ballad. It contains a conversation between three hungry ravens who are seeking out a meal.
On Getting Out of Vietnam by Howard Nemerov
‘On Getting Out of Vietnam’, written by American poet Howard Nemerov, is a symbolic poem based on the US’s involvement in Vietnam War (1955-1975). It alludes to the Greek legend of Theseus and the Minotaur.
The Poem as Mask by Muriel Rukeyser
‘The Poem as Mask’ by Muriel Rukeyser is a powerful, feminist poem that speaks to the poet’s experiences in life and with her poetry.
In Response to a Rumor That the Oldest Whorehouse in Wheeling, West Virginia Has Been Condemned by James Wright
Wright’s poem ‘In Response to a Rumor That the Oldest Whorehouse in Wheeling, West Virginia Has Been Condemned’ describes how a speaker finds the evening scene of a whorehouse quite fascinating and fairy-tale-like.
Sea Grapes by Derek Walcott
‘Sea Grapes’ by Derek Walcott is a deep and interesting poem. In it, Walcott uses numerous allusions to convey a message about choosing between lust and responsibility.
Quivira City Limits by Kevin Young
‘Quivira City Limits’ is a poem about the poet Kevin Young’s nostalgia concerning his childhood days in Topeka, Kansas. Though he was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, he had grown a deep attachment with the lush fields of the city precincts.
Icarus by Edward Field
‘Icarus’ by Edward Field places the Icarus of Greek mythology in a modern context to explore themes of alienation and displacement.
The Forest Path by Lucy Maud Montgomery
‘The Forest Path’ by Lucy Maud Montgomery is an uplifting nature poem that describes the beauty and magic one can find in the forest.
Sonnet 153 by William Shakespeare
‘Sonnet 153,’ also known as ‘Cupid laid by his brand and fell asleep,’ describes the speaker’s attempts to cure his lovesickness. He eventually fails and returns to the Dark Lady.
Circe by Carol Ann Duffy
‘Circe’ by Carol Ann Duffy is a poem about Circe’s reassertion of control over her life and how she now considers men.
Delilah by Carol Ann Duffy
‘Delilah’ by Carol Ann Duffy focuses on the story of Delilah. It illuminates her individuality and how she felt about Samson.
On the Medusa of Leonardo Da Vinci in the Florentine Gallery by Percy Bysshe Shelley
‘On the Medusa of Leonardo Da Vinci..’ by P.B. Shelley describes the beautiful and terrifying gaze of Medusa and the speaker’s perception of her life.
A Musical Instrument by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
‘A Musical Instrument’ by Elizabeth Barrett Browning describes the decimation of a riverbed and the crafting of the god Pan’s famous flute.
In the Bleak Midwinter by Christina Rossetti
‘In the Bleak Midwinter’ describes the birth of the Christ child on a “bleak midwinter” day and those who came to see him.
Medusa by Louise Bogan
‘Medusa’ by Louise Bogan describes an encounter the speaker has with the eyes of Medusa and the eternal results of that meeting.
The Garden of Eros by Oscar Wilde
‘The Garden of Eros’ describes a metaphorical garden that plays host to various flowers and the memories of some of the greatest English poets.
Actaeon by A. E. Stallings
‘Actaeon’ by A. E. Stallings is based on the captivating mythological story of Actaeon and is told from the perspective of a speaker who taunts the main character for how he lost his life.
Philomena by Matthew Arnold
‘Philomena’ by Matthew Arnold follows a narrator who after encountering a nightingale in the woods in England, interprets it’s calls for the sounds of mourning.
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.