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 1963
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Relationships: Family
Tags Narrative / Epic Poem, Race / Racism, Social Justice
Publication year 1922
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Mothers, Emotions/Behavior: Love
Tags Narrative / Epic Poem, Poverty, Gender / Feminism
Publication year 1726
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Society: War, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Identity: Masculinity, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Society: Nation, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance
Tags Narrative / Epic Poem, Military / War, History: European, Grief / Death, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, British Literature, Education, Education, History: World, Classic Fiction
“The Battle of Maldon” is a heroic poem, also classified as an epic, dating from the 10th century. Originally written in Old English, the text details a violent battle between the Anglo-Saxon warriors and the raiding Vikings. The Anglo-Saxons are led by Earl Byrhtnoth, who held land in the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Essex and fought for his ruler, King Æthelred the Unready. The poem depicts some of the central tenets of Anglo-Saxon culture, praising loyalty... Read The Battle of Maldon Summary
Publication year 2002
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Natural World: Animals
Tags Narrative / Epic Poem, Survival Fiction
Publication year 1949
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Family, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Nurture v. Nature
Tags Race / Racism, Gender / Feminism, Relationships
Publication year 1872
Genre Poem, Fiction
Tags Allegory / Fable / Parable, Philosophy, Animals, Religion / Spirituality
Publication year 2005
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Family
Tags Lyric Poem, Relationships, American Literature, Animals
Publication year 2006
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Values/Ideas: Music
Tags Lyric Poem, Music
Publication year 1789
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love
Tags Narrative / Epic Poem, Love / Sexuality, Mythology, British Literature, Romanticism / Romantic Period, Arts / Culture, History: World, Fantasy, Classic Fiction
The Book of Thel was written and etched by William Blake in 1789. It is one of his prophetic illuminated books, crafted after Songs of Innocence but before The Marriage of Heaven and Hell. Blake’s recognition as an influential figure in the British Romantic literary movement only came after his death. The Book of Thel is a narrative, allegorical, and symbolic poem written in 14-syllable lines. Its themes include the expansiveness of God’s love, interconnectedness... Read The Book of Thel Summary
Publication year 1982
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Grief
Tags Lyric Poem, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Holocaust
Publication year 1841
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Society: Nation, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos
Tags Russian Literature, Classic Fiction, Narrative / Epic Poem, Historical Fiction, History: European, Politics / Government, Science / Nature, Romanticism / Romantic Period, Realism
The Bronze Horseman: A Saint Petersburg Story is a narrative poem by 19th-century Russian poet, dramatist, and novelist Alexander Pushkin, who is considered Russia’s greatest poet. It was written in 1833, but was not published until 1841, after Pushkin’s death due to censorship of Pushkin’s works by the Russian government.Regarded as one of Pushkin’s most accomplished works, The Bronze Horseman has had a marked influence on Russian literature. The poem tells of the founding of Saint... Read The Bronze Horseman Summary
Publication year 1996
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Natural World: Animals
Tags Science / Nature
Publication year 1595
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil
Tags Lyric Poem, Christian literature, Religion / Spirituality, Elizabethan Era
Publication year 1957
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Identity: Race, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies
Tags Lyric Poem, African American Literature, Race / Racism, Social Justice
Publication year 1789
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Society: Class
Tags Lyric Poem, Poverty, Social Justice, Class, Romanticism / Romantic Period
William Blake’s poem “The Chimney Sweeper” was first published in his poetry collection Songs of Innocence (1789) and then republished in the expanded Songs of Innocence and of Experience (1794). The latter collection includes another poem of the same title, which complements the first poem and clarifies Blake’s intention. All poems in the collection are short and deceivingly simple in form, borrowing from and building on the conventions of 18th-century poetry for children, designed to... Read The Chimney Sweeper Summary
Publication year 1981
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed
Tags Prose poetry, Trauma / Abuse / Violence
Publication year 2001
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Fate, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Memory
Tags Lyric Poem, Confessional
Publication year 1914
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Society: Nation, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Music, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil
Tags Narrative / Epic Poem, Race / Racism, Music, Classic Fiction
Publication year 2018
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Family, Society: Community, Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: Language
Tags Lyric Poem, Race / Racism, Diversity, Social Justice
Publication year 1890
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Art
Tags Lyric Poem, Arts / Culture