Poems of Conflict

The poems in this curated Collection center the theme of conflict within society, families, and relationships. Spanning hundreds of years of literary history, these titles examine the emotions and motivations behind conflict, as well as subthemes of peace and resolution, through settings that range from the battlefield to the kitchen table.

Things We Carry on the Sea

by Wang Ping

Publication year 2018

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance

Tags Immigration / Refugee, History: Asian

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To Be in Love

by Gwendolyn Brooks

Publication year 1963

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance

Tags Lyric Poem, Love / Sexuality

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Travel

by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Publication year 1921

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Natural World: Objects, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Identity: Femininity, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice

Tags Lyric Poem, Gender / Feminism

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We Lived Happily During the War

by Ilya Kaminsky

Publication year 2013

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict

Tags Lyric Poem, Military / War, American Literature

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When I Consider How My Light is Spent

by John Milton

Publication year 1673

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Society: Nation

Tags Lyric Poem, Disability, Metaphysical, Education, Education, Classic Fiction

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wishes for sons

by Lucille Clifton

Publication year 1987

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Identity: Gender, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Relationships: Mothers

Tags Lyric Poem, Gender / Feminism

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You Are Jeff

by Richard Siken

Publication year 2019

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance

Tags LGBTQ, Love / Sexuality, Narrative / Epic Poem

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[you fit into me]

by Margaret Atwood

Publication year 1971

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger

Tags Lyric Poem, Relationships

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Young

by Anne Sexton

Publication year 1962

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict

Tags Lyric Poem, Confessional, Science / Nature

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