Introduction The following famous poems about time reflect on its passage, its power, and the human desire to endure beyond it. Time and Mortality you may also enjoy: Sonnet 60 (“Like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore”) — William Shakespeare Like as the waves make towards the pebbl’d shore, So do our minutes … Read more
Introduction Philosophical Reflections on Meaning You may also enjoy: O Me! O Life! — Walt Whitman Oh me! Oh life! of the questions of these recurring, Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill’d with the foolish, Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?) Of … Read more
Introduction Classic Poems About Death You may also enjoy: The Raven — Edgar Allan Poe Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore— While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of some one gently rapping, rapping at … Read more
Introduction Why Poets Write About Life Famous Poems About Life You may also enjoy: “O Me! O Life!” — Walt Whitman Oh me! Oh life! of the questions of these recurring, Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill’d with the foolish, Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, … Read more
Introduction Why Mothers Are a Timeless Subject in Poetry Famous Poems to Mothers You may also enjoy: “To My Mother” — Edgar Allan Poe Because I feel that, in the Heavens above, The angels, whispering to one another, Can find, among their burning terms of love, None so devotional as that of “Mother,” Therefore by … Read more
Introduction Easter in Christian Poetry Famous Easter Poems You may also enjoy: George Herbert — “Easter” Rise heart; thy lord is risen. Sing his praise Without delayes,Who takes thee by the hand, that thou likewise With him … Read more
Introduction Christian Poetry and Religious Verse Famous Christian Poems You may also enjoy: “Love (III)” — George Herbert Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back, Guilty of dust and sin.But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack From my first entrance in,Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning If I lacked anything. “A guest,” I … Read more
Introduction African American Poetry in Literary History Famous African American Poets You may also enjoy: Phyllis Wheatley Paul Laurence Dunbar Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Famous Black American Poets James Weldon Johnson Claude McKay Famous Poems by African American Poets Rather than listing full poems here, this page works best as a gateway to individual poem … Read more
Introduction Why Poetry Speaks to Loss Famous Poems About Losing a Loved One You may also enjoy: “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep” — Mary Elizabeth Frye Do not stand at my grave and weepI am not there. I do not sleep.I am a thousand winds that blow.I am the diamond glints on … Read more
Introduction Why Poetry Can Bring Comfort in Grief Famous Poems to Comfort the Grieving You may also enjoy: “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep” — Mary Elizabeth Frye Do not stand at my grave and weepI am not there. I do not sleep.I am a thousand winds that blow.I am the diamond glints … Read more
