Nostalgic Poems

This selection of Nostalgic Poems examines themes of sentimentality and longing for days gone by. Representing perspectives from a diverse selection of poets, these titles interrogate the idea of yearning for the past, as well as themes of growth, change, and loss.

My Father's Song

by Simon J. Ortiz

Publication year 1976

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Aging, Relationships: Fathers, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance

Tags Lyric Poem, Relationships, American Literature

Simon J. Ortiz originally published “My Father’s Song” in his poetry/story collection entitled A Good Journey (1977). Ortiz is a major writer in the Native American Renaissance, a movement which began in the 1960s and marked a significant increase in the production of literary works by Native Americans in the United States. The poem was written at a time when Ortiz was collecting and recounting stories from Indigenous tribes across the United States, and his... Read My Father's Song Summary

Old Pond

by Basho

Publication year 1686

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Place, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia

Tags Asian Literature, Lyric Poem, Japanese Literature, Animals

Many scholars agree that “Old Pond” (1686) by Matsuo Bashō is one of the most—if not the most—famous haiku of all time. The term “haiku” translates as “play verse,” and though “Old Pond” appears whimsical and simple—a frog jumping into water and the subsequent splash—Bashō utilizes various literary devices such as key words and onomatopoeia to ensure this three-line poem is both didactic and enjoyable. “Old Pond” is instructional, especially for its use of common... Read Old Pond Summary

Parents

by William Meredith

Publication year 1980

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia

Tags Lyric Poem, Relationships

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Postcard from Kashmir

by Agha Shahid Ali

Publication year 1991

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Identity: Race, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia

Tags Immigration / Refugee

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Quilts

by Nikki Giovanni

Publication year 2007

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Aging, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Values/Ideas: Art, Society: Community, Emotions/Behavior: Love

Tags Lyric Poem, Relationships

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Reservation Love Song

by Sherman Alexie

Publication year 1991

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Emotions/Behavior: Hope

Tags Lyric Poem, Love / Sexuality

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Snow-Bound: A Winter Idyl

by John Greenleaf Whittier

Publication year 1865

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Natural World: Environment, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Relationships: Family

Tags Lyric Poem, Science / Nature, Transcendentalism, American Literature, History: World, Classic Fiction

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Song of a Second April

by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Publication year 1921

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Natural World: Environment, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia

Tags Lyric Poem

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Tattoo

by Ted Kooser

Publication year 2003

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Aging, Life/Time: The Past, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia

Tags Narrative / Epic Poem

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The Dead

by Susan Mitchell

Publication year 1983

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Natural World: Place, Natural World: Objects, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia

Tags Lyric Poem, Free verse, American Literature, Grief / Death

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The End and the Beginning

by Wisława Szymborska

Publication year 2001

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Society: Politics & Government, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia

Tags Lyric Poem, Military / War

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The Garden of Love

by William Blake

Publication year 1794

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Apathy, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Natural World: Appearance & Reality

Tags Lyric Poem, Religion / Spirituality, History: World, British Literature

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The Good Life

by Tracy K. Smith

Publication year 2011

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Aging, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride

Tags Lyric Poem, Finance / Money / Wealth

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The Last Ride Together

by Robert Browning

Publication year 1855

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia

Tags Poetry: Dramatic Poem, Love / Sexuality, Victorian Period

“The Last Ride Together” is a poem by the Victorian poet Robert Browning (1812-1889), first published in his 1855 collection Men and Women. It is an example of the poetic genre for which Browning is most famous: the dramatic monologue. Such a poem consists of words uttered by a speaker who is different from the author and whose personality is gradually revealed through his/her own words. This genre appealed to Browning because it allowed him... Read The Last Ride Together Summary