Poems that use the Form, Sonnet

Who in One Lifetime by Muriel Rukeyser

‘Who in One Lifetime’ by Muriel Rukeyser is a poem about resistance in the face of war and suffering. The speaker asserts that a woman referred to only as “she” is standing strong despite what she’s seen.

i thank You God for most this amazing by E.E. Cummings

‘i thank You God for most this amazing’ by E.E. Cummings is addressed to God and expresses a speaker’s thanks for being allowed to exist in the world.

i thank You God for most this amazing Visual Representation

To Her Father with Some Verses by Anne Bradstreet

‘To Her Father with Some Verses’ by Anne Bradstreet expresses the poet’s admiration for her father and desire to pay him back for his support.

To Her Father in Some Verses by Anne Bradstreet Visual Representation

Snowflake by William Baer

‘Snowflake,’ a sonnet by William Baer, beautifully captures the journey of a flake of snow from being a vapor to landing on a girl’s “unkissed lips.”

But Not Forgotten by Dorothy Parker

‘But Not Forgotten’ by Dorothy Parker speaks to the impact of one person’s memory on their past romantic partner.

To Speak of Woe That Is In Marriage by Robert Lowell

‘To Speak of Woe That Is in Marriage’ by Robert Lowell is a memorable, confessional poem. In it, lol taps into the life experiences of a wife who is fearful of her lustful husband.

To Speak of the Woe that is in Marriage by Robert Lowell Visual Representation

Yet Do I Marvel by Countee Cullen

‘Yet Do I Marvel’ by Countee Cullen is a poem about faith. No matter the darkness the speaker sees in the world, he maintains his faith in his own role in God’s plan.

the Cambridge ladies who live in furnished souls by E. E. Cummings

‘the Cambridge ladies who live in furnished souls’ by E. E. Cummings is about the differences in social classes, ignorance, and reality. The speaker judges the Cambridge women for the fiction they engage in and their lack of interest in the real world.

the Cambridge ladies who live in furnished souls Visual Representation

Sonnet in the Shape of a Potted Christmas Tree by George Starbuck

George Starbuck’s ‘Sonnet in the Shape of a Potted Christmas Tree’ is a concrete poem written in the shape of a potted Christmas tree. It explores the theme of social inequality with respect to the central image.

Sonnet in the Shape of a Potted Christmas Tree Visual Representation

November Cotton Flower by Jean Toomer

‘November Cotton Flower’ by Jean Toomer is a powerful extended metaphor for the lives of Black men, women, and children in the southern United States. It alludes to slavery and the hope that the Civil Rights Movement presented.

Horace to Leuconoe by Edwin Arlington Robinson

Edwin Arlington Robinson’s sonnet ‘Horace to Leuconoe’ is a passionate address of a lover to a girl, brooding over what God might have in store for her. He advises her to seize the moment and forget about the past and the future.

Nuns Fret Not at Their Convent’s Narrow Room by William Wordsworth

‘Nuns Fret Not at Their Convent’s Narrow Room’ by William Wordsworth is a thoughtful poem that expresses the poet’s appreciation for his chosen path.

Nuns Fret Not at Their Convent’s Narrow Room Visual Representation

On Seeing the Elgin Marbles by John Keats

‘On Seeing the Elgin Marbles’ by John Keats is a poem about mortality. The speaker observes the Elgin Marbles in the British Museum and is moved by their power.

Sonnet 227 by Petrarch

‘Sonnet 227’ is about “Love,” particularly “Unrequited love.” Petrarch expresses his deep love for Laura, her indifference towards his love, and the various contrasting emotions he undergoes in the poem.

The Famous Writer by Daniel Galef

‘The Famous Writer’ by Daniel Galef is a compelling poem about the effects of fame. The speaker is aware that fame is destructive but wants to experience it for himself.

A Fairy Song by William Shakespeare

‘A Fairy Song’ by William Shakespeare features in the well-loved play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It’s sung by a fairy and describes their work.

Shakespearean Sonnet by R. S. Gwynn

‘Shakespearean Sonnet’ by R. S. Gwynn is a celebration of Shakespeare’s plays. Each line of the poem refers to a different tragedy, comedy, or history play.

For My Daughter by Weldon Kees

‘For My Daughter’ by Weldon Kees is an interesting poem about a speaker’s thoughts about having a daughter and considering her death.

Unholy Sonnet 13 by Mark Jarman

‘Unholy Sonnet 13’ appears in the modern American poet Mark Jarman’s award-winning poetry collection Questions for Ecclesiastes (1997). This sonnet is about a matured speaker’s belief in God and the miraculous beauty of nature.

The Tradition by Jericho Brown

The Tradition is the titular poem from Pulitzer Prize winner Jericho Brown’s poetry collection. It brings to light the maltreatment of African Americans in the present US, while relating it to the past.

The Tradition Poem Visual Representation

You Reading This, Be Ready by William Stafford

‘You Reading This, Be Ready’ was written a few days before William Stafford’s death. This poem taps on the theme of savoring the present moment.

Syntax by Carol Ann Duffy

In Carol Ann Duffy’s ‘Syntax,’ surprising language of love lands like a lover’s warm touch and scribbles on your skin, right off the page. The Rumpus, in praise of Duffy’s poetry collection “Rapture” (2005) remarked so, that aptly applies to this poem.