Short Poems

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.

West-Running Brook

by Robert Frost

Publication year 1928

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Life/Time: Mortality & Death

Tags Science / Nature, Religion / Spirituality, Philosophy, History: U.S., American Literature, Classic Fiction

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We Wear the Mask

by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Publication year 1895

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Identity: Race, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed

Tags Lyric Poem, Race / Racism, African American Literature, Classic Fiction

“We Wear the Mask” is one of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s most influential works. Appearing in 1895 in his second poetry volume Majors and Minors, the poem reflects an unspecified collective, a “we” hiding behind a “mask,” which is used throughout the poem as an extended metaphor for survival tactics against oppression. “We Wear the Mask” stands as a poem about racism and oppression and the marginalized.Dunbar’s voice as a major American writer is varied and... Read We Wear the Mask Summary

Whales Weep Not!

by D. H. Lawrence

Publication year 1932

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Identity: Sexuality, Natural World: Nurture v. Nature

Tags Lyric Poem, Animals, Love / Sexuality, British Literature

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What Do Women Want?

by Kim Addonizio

Publication year 2000

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Identity: Gender, Identity: Sexuality

Tags Lyric Poem, Gender / Feminism, Relationships, Love / Sexuality

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Whatever You Say, Say Nothing

by Seamus Heaney

Publication year 1975

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal

Tags Free verse, History: European, Irish Literature

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What mystery pervades a well!

by Emily Dickinson

Publication year 1896

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Objects, Natural World: Place, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger

Tags Lyric Poem, American Literature, Romanticism / Romantic Period

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What Soft — Cherubic Creatures

by Emily Dickinson

Publication year 1896

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Identity: Gender, Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil

Tags Lyric Poem, American Literature

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What Teachers Make

by Taylor Mali

Publication year 2002

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Society: Education

Tags Spoken Word Poetry, Free verse, Education, Education, Humor

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What the Living Do

by Marie Howe

Publication year 1998

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance

Tags Lyric Poem, Grief / Death, American Literature, Education, Education, Gender / Feminism, Modern Classic Fiction, LGBTQ

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What Work Is

by Philip Levine

Publication year 1991

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Society: Economics

Tags Free verse, Class

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When Dawn Comes to the City

by Claude McKay

Publication year 1922

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Natural World: Nurture v. Nature

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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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