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 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
Publication year 1986
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Memory
Tags Narrative / Epic Poem
Publication year 2011
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Life/Time: Aging, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride
Tags Lyric Poem, Finance / Money / Wealth
Publication year 1977
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love
Tags Lyric Poem, Relationships
Publication year 2002
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Values/Ideas: Music
Tags Lyric Poem
Publication year 1996
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Society: Education
Tags Lyric Poem, Education, American Literature
Publication year 1906
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love
Tags Lyric Poem, Love / Sexuality
English poet Alfred Noyes wrote and published “The Highwayman” in 1906 during the early period of his literary career. The poem was written during the Edwardian Period of English literature but reflects influences from the romantic period a century earlier. Told as a narrative, “The Highwayman” recounts the doomed romance between a highwayman and a landlord’s daughter, Bess, who he visits in the night. Their love is sabotaged by jealousy; the poem romanticizes Bess’s sacrifice... Read The Highwayman Summary
Publication year 2021
Genre Poem, Fiction
Tags Inspirational, African American Literature, Gender / Feminism, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World, Social Justice, Politics / Government
Publication year 1991
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Society: Education, Society: Community, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger
Tags Satire, Narrative / Epic Poem, Modernism, Humor
Publication year 1958
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Love
Tags Lyric Poem, Love / Sexuality, LGBTQ
Publication year 1946
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict
Tags Imagist poetry
Publication year 2012
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Life/Time: The Future
Tags Immigration / Refugee, Indian Literature
Publication year 1854
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Memory
Tags Lyric Poem, Grief / Death, Race / Racism, Religion / Spirituality
Publication year 1842
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Identity: Femininity, Identity: Sexuality, Values/Ideas: Art
Tags Lyric Poem, Gender / Feminism, Victorian Period, Mythology, British Literature, History: World, Fantasy, Victorian Literature / Period, Classic Fiction
“The Lady of Shalott,” one of Lord Alfred Tennyson’s best-known poems, is a four-part lyrical ballad loosely inspired by the 13th-century Italian novella Donna di Scalotta. It makes use of vivid romantic language and heavy symbolism. Based on Arthurian legend and medieval sources, the poem tells the story of Elaine of Astolat, a fictional woman confined to a tower overlooking the fields surrounding Camelot. The Lady of Shalott falls in unrequited love with Sir Lancelot... Read The Lady Of Shalott Summary
Publication year 1789
Genre Poem, Fiction
Tags Lyric Poem, Romanticism / Romantic Period, Animals
Publication year 1968
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Power & Greed
Tags Free verse, Lyric Poem, Gender / Feminism, Depression / Suicide
Publication year 1885
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Life/Time: Childhood & Youth
Tags Lyric Poem, Victorian Period
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
Publication year 1993
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Life/Time: The Past, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Society: Immigration, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia
Tags Lyric Poem
Publication year 1927
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Beauty
Tags Lyric Poem, Philosophy