27 Phenomenal Poems That Everyone Should Read At Least Once In Their Life

"It's about loving yourself, liking the way you look, and having confidence. It strikes a chord with me."

— braddoc

"Wendy Cope always makes me smile."

— cma365

"A beautiful poem, which resonates more and more as you get older."

— laurenw41c3fb004

"I'm not a big poetry fan and I think a lot of poems are so vague and confusing that they have basically no meaning to the average reader. Thomas manages to paint beautiful imagery that also has an incredibly clear meaning. I've always appreciated this 'emo' fave."

— c4b4a3933b

"Reminds me of the fleetingness of human corruption upon nature, and how little material things matter in the long run. It's the breath of fresh air that comes after an existential crisis. Brilliant poem."

— bryonyisabellas

"Mine is a slightly morbid one but it has gotten me through some dark times."

— m42949fcb1

"It's a little dark but it has her unique sense of humour and always makes me smile."

— bakingmama85

"It’s spoken word poetry but so relevant."

— caitlin_barnes

"Tbh, any Tennyson is 👌 but this one is my favourite – whimsical, romantic, devastating... with EXQUISITE crafting. It is JUST *chef's kiss*."

— defectivextragedy

"It flows beautifully and evokes feelings of constriction, hope, loneliness, beauty and tragedy."

— dharmashark

"It's just a beautiful, vivid poem about a tiger, and while it may not have as much everyday relevance emotionally, it sticks with you."

— hibahchughtai

"I’ve been obsessed with the first lines since I heard it as a child. As a whole. it’s a really powerful mix of joyousness and melancholy and so evocative."

— sneakybubbledust

"I once had to memorise it in third grade and I still remember most of it!"

– ItsNotThatAmazing

"It's so simple, yet so full of lust and longing. It really shows you what power just the right words can hold."

— imaginarynerdfriend

"It was the poem we had read at our wedding."

— rachelosullivanx

Suggested by:

— cherrysodahpfan

"So many poems dehumanise women by putting them on a pedestal and treating them like faultless heavenly beings. That's why I love how Shakespeare deconstructs and gently mocks sonnets in his own Sonnet 130. He's just a guy who thinks someone is great in spite of, and because of, their flaws!"

— kitseykat

"Even more touching when you listen to her rendition."

— i44d883bdb

"I've always loved it since was a child, something about it makes me feel a bit emotional. It is full of advice and is ultimately timeless in its structure, wisdom, and appeal. Plus, it rhymes which is my personal preference."

— intercept

"When I cancelled my wedding, for which I had all but bought my own dress, this was the most empowering thing I read. In fact, I would go as far as to say it made me end my eight year relationship. Have never looked back."

— hannahb417bfe5e5

"It's incredibly moving and has some of the most beautiful lines of poetry I've ever read."

— shellezbellez

"It's such a beautiful poem dealing with loss and grief."

— monikap6

"The idea that people who die never really leave us, that they live on in the wind that blows and the autumn rain – it’s so simple but beautiful. I remember reading it at a funeral and it was the only thing that brought me a glimmer of peace that day."

— mirir

"It's pretty short, but it's beautiful and breaks my heart each time I read it."

— vitaliastrait

"It's been my favourite poem since I can remember. I have fond memories of my grandmother reciting it to me as a little girl. She was a huge influence on me and instilled a love of literature, horror, and science fiction that I carry with me to this day."

— steevie

"Its themes of overcoming adversity and taking charge of your own life really resonate with me."

— jessicah4f0220e6f

"I know it by memory and I recite it in my head when I’m going through tough times. It reminds me that I’m strong."

— micheleg7474

"We studied it in school and I loved the beauty of it."

— jodieg46c8ccdad

"It captures the feeling of being alone together in the world with countless others just like you."

— awkwardlollipop

"It just hits the good spot, especially now that the discussion around female bodies and how they’re judged is so prevalent."

— chuckadoodledoo

"It’s incredible."

– Katie80

"He served in World War I and the poem’s title means 'it is sweet and honourable [to die for your country]'. It paints a picture of the horrors of WWI and how it is certainly NOT sweet or noble to die in war. It's bleak and awful but an important reminder of world history."

— alittlebitanji

"Owen makes me feel. I first encountered him when I studied GCSE English and I still love his war poetry. The fact he died shortly before the end of WW1 lends a poignancy to his writing."

— cma365