Singapore by Mary Oliver
‘Singapore’ by Mary Oliver is a highly relatable poem that speaks about life’s struggles and the beauty of mundane and graceful work. It is set in an airport bathroom in Singapore.
Rubaiyat XII: A Book of Verses underneath the Bough by Omar Khayyam
Quatrain XII from Edward FitzGerald’s famous translation, Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, describes how “Wilderness” transforms into “Paradise” with love, poetry, and wine.
The Poet by Paul Laurence Dunbar
‘The Poet’ by Paul Laurence Dunbar depicts how the poet saw himself and the elements of his work that gained popularity during his lifetime.
Traveling Light by Alice Fulton
‘Traveling Light’ by Alice Fulton is a powerful poem that weaves together images of the present and the past. Throughout, readers can explore Fulton’s understanding of her relationship with her father and her current relationship with the landscape around her.
The Arrow and the Song by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
‘The Arrow and the Song’ by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is an interesting poem that utilizes quatrains. Throughout the piece, the speaker alludes to the unknown impact of his poetry before finding it in the heart of his friend in the last stanza.
To Ireland in the Coming Times by William Butler Yeats
‘To Ireland in the Coming Times’ by William Butler Yeats is dedicated to the poet’s impact on Ireland’s political, social, and cultural landscape. It contains the poet’s beliefs about the nature of his verse.
An Introduction to Some Poems by William Stafford
William Stafford’s ‘An Introduction to Some Poems’ is about the role of budding poets. The speaker says that every life is worth writing about, and a writer’s work is to share “authentic” human experiences.
The Window by Diane di Prima
‘The Window,’ an interesting poem is written by the Beat poet Diane di Prima, compares poetry to a “window” to a writer’s soul. It showcases how poetry captures the very essence of the poet and her thoughts.
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.
Riprap by Gary Snyder
Gary Snyder’s ‘Riprap’ describes how the oddly beautiful order of nature is “a riprap of things,” set in order from time immemorial. This piece taps on the themes of metaphysics, nature, and language.
American Poetry by Louis Simpson
‘American Poetry’ appears in Louis Simpson’s award-winning collection At the End of the Open Road (1963). This piece is about the nature and range of poems produced throughout America.
Sonnet—To Science by Edgar Allen Poe
‘Sonnet—To Science’ by Edgar Allan Poe contains a speaker’s view on the damage science has done to the arts, particularly the art of poetry.
Edgar Allan Poe by Timothy Thomas Fortune
‘Edgar Allan Poe’ by Timothy Thomas Fortune contains a speaker’s praise for the works and life of the poet and short story writer Edgar Allan Poe.
In My Craft Or Sullen Art by Dylan Thomas
‘In My Craft Or Sullen Art’ by Dylan Thomas describes Thomas’ writing practice, ideal reader and preferred legacy after his death.
I Do Not Love Thee by Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton
‘I Do Not Love Thee’ by Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton consists of a speaker’s professed lack of love for a listener she is clearly infatuated with.
To a Poet a Thousand Years Hence by James Elroy Flecker
‘To a Poet a Thousand Years Hence’ by James Elroy Flecker describes the poet’s attempt to reach out to future generations of writers.
Ars Poetica by Archibald MacLeish
‘Ars Poetica’ by Archibald MacLeish describes what the speaker believes to be the elements of successful and unsuccessful poetry.
The Day is Done by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
‘The Day is Done’ by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow describes a speaker’s desire to have his night improved with the work of a passionate poet.
Write by Carol Ann Duffy
‘Write’ by Carol Ann Duffy is a celebration of love and the power that writing has to depict and understand its emotional intensity.
Death of a Teacher by Carol Ann Duffy
‘Death of a Teacher’ by Carol Ann Duffy is a moving poem. In it, the poet discusses a personal loss she suffered and how it affected her.
A Minor Poet by Stephen Vincent Benét
‘A Minor Poet’ by Stephen Vincent Benét describes the speaker’s beliefs about his own work and how it compares to the work of the world’s greatest writers.
My life has been the poem I would have writ by Henry David Thoreau
‘My life has been the poem I would have writ’ is a simple two-line work, but within those two lines, contains many subtle grammar.
Sonnet 1 by Sir Philip Sidney
‘Sonnet 1’ is featured in Astrophil and Stella, a sonnet sequence. Astrophil and Stella narrates the story of Astrophil and his hopeless passion for Stella.
A Text About Reading The Letter by Riyas Qurana
‘A Text About Reading The Letter’ by Riyas Qurana is a free verse poem with twelve stanzas dedicated to discussing a letter between a lover and his beloved.
A Conceit by Maya Angelou
The speaker in ‘A Conceit’ by Maya Angelou indicates she is interested in a relationship that is real and tangible. This is not something she’s willing to back down from.
Not To Step Into The Arena Of Poetry Just On Request by Riyas Qurana
‘Not To Step Into The Arena Of Poetry Just On Request’ is about a deteriorating friendship of the narrator, due to the misinterpretations.
Irish Poets Open Your Eyes by Patrick Kavanagh
In ‘Irish Poets Open Your Eyes’ Kavanagh suggests pursuits which his fellow poets could undertake to keep their writing more accessible to a contemporary audience.
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?”