Our Short Poems Collection highlights the power of poetry through titles that make an impact in few words. These bite-sized selections offer a convenient starting place for readers new to analyzing poetry or anyone who appreciates short-form verse and its ability to move and inspire.
Publication year 1900
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Values/Ideas: Equality, Emotions/Behavior: Joy, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Society: Nation, Life/Time: The Past, Life/Time: The Future, Identity: Race, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance
Tags Lyric Poem, Inspirational, African American Literature, American Literature, Race / Racism, Religion / Spirituality, Civil Rights / Jim Crow, History: U.S.
Publication year 1773
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance
Tags Religion / Spirituality, Lyric Poem, Depression / Suicide
“Light Shining Out of Darkness,” written by William Cowper, was first published in 1774 by John Newton, a Calvinist pastor, in Twenty-Six Letters on Religious Subjects; to Which Are Added Hymns. Later, the hymn was again collected in Olney Hymns in 1779, a text featuring hymns by both Cowper and Newton (“Light Shining Out of Darkness.” Representative Poetry Online, 1998.). In addition to being a hymn, the text could be labeled as a lyric poem... Read Light Shining Out of Darkness Summary
Publication year 1798
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Natural World: Objects
Tags Philosophy, Classic Fiction, Education, Education, Romanticism / Romantic Period, British Literature, History: World, Philosophy
Composed in the middle of July 1798, “Tintern Abbey” was the last poem submitted for the publication of Lyrical Ballads, which was already in the press at Bristol. As the coda to Lyrical Ballads, “Tintern Abbey” represents a pivotal modulation in Wordsworth’s poetic development and ambition, prefiguring much of his distinctive verse to follow. Its sustained meditative subjectivity, masterful control of tone, elevated theme, scale of conceptual development, and orchestrated musicality mark the convergence of... Read Tintern Abbey Summary
Publication year 2002
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Values/Ideas: Literature, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Natural World: Environment, Relationships: Marriage
Tags Free verse, Lyric Poem, Play: Comedy / Satire, American Literature, Love / Sexuality
Publication year 2019
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love
Tags Lyric Poem, LGBTQ, Love / Sexuality
Publication year 1954
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Apathy, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Love
Tags Lyric Poem, Gender / Feminism, Relationships
Publication year 1794
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality
Tags Lyric Poem, Industrial Revolution, Romanticism / Romantic Period, Poverty, Education, Education, British Literature, History: World, Classic Fiction
Publication year 1807
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Society: Nation, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia
Tags Lyric Poem
Publication year 2001
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality
Publication year 1987
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Fear
Tags Lyric Poem, Depression / Suicide
Publication year 1976
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt
Tags Lyric Poem
Publication year 1993
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love
Tags Lyric Poem, Love / Sexuality, Realism
Publication year 1939
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose
Tags Lyric Poem, Love / Sexuality, Relationships
Publication year 2005
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love
Tags Free verse, Love / Sexuality
Publication year 1999
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Society: Politics & Government, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict
Tags Romance, Love / Sexuality, American Literature, Food
Publication year 1989
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Marriage, Emotions/Behavior: Love
Tags Romance, African American Literature
“Love Song for Alex, 1979” is a lyric sonnet that Margaret Walker wrote for her husband. The poem is frequently labeled a sonnet because of its 14 lines, though it doesn’t follow the strict rhyme scheme of a traditional sonnet. In the style of lyric poetry, the poem expresses Walker’s warm feelings for her husband. Though it doesn’t reveal a narrative, we can glean some details about the couple’s relationship from the poem.Poet BiographyMargaret Walker... Read Love Song for Alex, 1979 Summary
Publication year 2003
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Natural World: Animals, Emotions/Behavior: Love
Publication year 1682
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Literature
Tags Satire, Arts / Culture, Restoration
During his lifetime, John Dryden (1631-1700) was an esteemed poet, literary critic, and playwright. His influence was so large that the literary period after the Restoration of Charles II is sometimes called the “Age of Dryden.” Dryden’s literary abilities were recognized by the Stuart Monarchy in 1668 when he was made England’s first Poet Laureate. In addition to his role as Poet Laureate, Dryden is best remembered for his refinement of English verse, his development of... Read Mac Flecknoe Summary
Publication year 1988
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Society: Politics & Government, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict
Tags Lyric Poem, Immigration / Refugee, Philosophy, American Literature
Publication year 2011
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger
Tags Relationships