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 1859
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Natural World: Environment
Tags Lyric Poem
Publication year 1949
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Natural World: Nurture v. Nature
Tags Narrative / Epic Poem, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Science / Nature
Publication year 2004
Genre Poem, Fiction
Tags Lyric Poem, Science / Nature
Publication year 1957
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Natural World: Nurture v. Nature, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed
Tags Free verse, Relationships
Publication year 1979
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Environment
Tags Science / Nature
Publication year 1986
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Identity: Race, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Equality, Life/Time: The Past, Life/Time: Aging
Tags Holidays & Occasions, Civil Rights / Jim Crow, History: U.S.
Publication year 1918
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger
Tags Military / War, WWI / World War I
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
Publication year 1972
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Natural World: Animals, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil
Tags Narrative / Epic Poem, Holocaust
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Siblings
Tags Religion / Spirituality, Classic Fiction, Ancient Greece, Mythology, Philosophy, Philosophy, Classical Period, History: World, Fantasy
“Works and Days” is a didactic poem by Hesiod dating to approximately the eighth century BCE. Hesiod begins the poem with the traditional invocation to the muses, but he deviates slightly from this tradition by including personal information; the poem is an explanation of a dispute between Hesiod and his brother Perses over a family inheritance. The poem’s thematic concerns, which Hesiod explores by arguing how harmful his brother’s actions are not only to himself... Read Works and Days Summary
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
Publication year 1991
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Society: Class, Emotions/Behavior: Memory
Tags Free verse, Lyric Poem, Poverty
Publication year 1971
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger
Tags Lyric Poem, Relationships
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