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.

Because I Could Not Stop for Death

by Emily Dickinson

Publication year 1890

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Mortality & Death

Tags Classic Fiction, Realism, Romanticism / Romantic Period, Education, Education, British Literature, Fantasy

Emily Dickinson holds a special place in the firmament of American writers. Although she lived in the 19th century and seldom left her home region in Massachusetts, her poetry speaks to readers of all ages and backgrounds. Dickinson possessed a singular poetic style, characterized by inventive punctuation, powerful efficiency, and deep inquiry of the human experience. Her poem “Because I could not stop for Death” has become a touchstone for readers encountering Dickinson for the... Read Because I Could Not Stop for Death Summary

Between Walls

by William Carlos Williams

Publication year 1938

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Beauty, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos

Tags Imagist poetry, Modernism

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"B" (If I Should Have a Daughter)

by Sarah Kay

Publication year 2011

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Childhood & Youth

Tags Spoken Word Poetry, Parenting

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Birches

by Robert Frost

Publication year 1915

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Natural World: Appearance & Reality

Tags Lyric Poem, Science / Nature, American Literature, Modernism

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Birdfoot’s Grampa

by Joseph Bruchac

Publication year 1975

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Natural World: Animals, Life/Time: Mortality & Death

Tags Lyric Poem, Relationships, Animals

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Blackberry Eating

by Galway Kinnell

Publication year 1980

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Natural World: Food, Values/Ideas: Literature, Identity: Language

Tags Lyric Poem, Food

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Blackberry Picking

by Seamus Heaney

Publication year 1966

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Natural World: Nurture v. Nature

Tags Education, Education

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Black Cat

by Rainer Maria Rilke

Publication year 1923

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Animals

Tags Lyric Poem, Philosophy, Animals

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Blessing the Boats

by Lucille Clifton

Publication year 2000

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Aging, Life/Time: Mortality & Death

Tags Health / Medicine, Women's Studies (Nonfiction), History: U.S., African American Literature, Gender / Feminism, American Literature, Classic Fiction

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Blizzard

by Linda Pastan

Publication year 1978

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Objects

Tags Science / Nature, Confessional

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Boy at the Window

by Richard Wilbur

Publication year 1952

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Emotions/Behavior: Fear

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Boy Breaking Glass

by Gwendolyn Brooks

Publication year 1987

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice

Tags Race / Racism, Social Justice, Black Arts Movement

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Break

by Dorianne Laux

Publication year 1990

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Society: Class, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Relationships: Family

Tags Lyric Poem, Arts / Culture, Climate Change

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Break of Day

by John Donne

Publication year 1998

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict

Tags Metaphysical, Science / Nature, British Literature

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Burning a Book

by William Stafford

Publication year 1999

Genre Poem, Fiction

Tags Lyric Poem, Arts / Culture, Education, American Literature

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Burning the Old Year

by Naomi Shihab Nye

Publication year 1995

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: The Future, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Friendship

Tags Lyric Poem, Relationships, American Literature

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Butter

by Elizabeth Alexander

Publication year 1996

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Natural World: Food, Identity: Race

Tags Lyric Poem

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Caged Bird

by Maya Angelou

Publication year 1983

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Natural World: Animals, Emotions/Behavior: Grief

Tags Race / Racism, Incarceration

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Casey at the Bat

by Ernest Lawrence Thayer

Publication year 1888

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose

Tags Narrative / Epic Poem, Sports

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Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude

by Ross Gay

Publication year 2015

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Natural World: Environment

Tags Lyric Poem, Race / Racism, Education, Education, Science / Nature, Arts / Culture, Religion / Spirituality

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