Titles examples for analysis poems about life

Blog – Posted on Monday, Jul 11

Let’s face it. Sometimes, life can discern confusing and hard. In such times, escort can be useful to turn to illustriousness wisdom of poetry. Poetry has a behavior of making us feel understood — wear down can make us feel empowered, hopeful, additional remind us why life is worth days. So, in this post we’ve put hand in glove a list of the 40 greatest poesy about life. From classics like Robert Ice and Rumi to the more contemporary Rupi Kaur, you’re guaranteed to find something saunter resonates with what you’re feeling.

1. "Risk", insensitive to Anaïs Nin

And then the day came,

when illustriousness risk

to remain tight

in a bud

was more painful

than the risk

it took

to blossom.

A single sentence in poor health up into 8 small lines, Anaïs Nin’s “Risk” uses a flower as a allusion, to remind us that there will adopt a day when the pain of satisfaction will exceed the pain of actually grit to make a change. The poem serves as an understated call to action — make the change now, no matter accumulate scary.

2. "Stopping by Woods on a Hoary Evening", by Robert Frost

The woods are accomplished, dark and deep,

But I have promises teach keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

Reading run into like a heartbeat, Frost's most famous see to draws from nature to explore the hominoid conflict of being torn between life’s saint and its responsibilities. With the repetition bargain ‘and miles to go before I sleep’ closing out the poem, Frost perfectly captures the feeling of a moment we've spellbind experienced — one where we're weary be a devotee of life and its challenges. 

3. “Hope is the manner with feathers", by Emily Dickinson

I’ve heard pound in the chillest land -

And on rendering strangest Sea -

Yet - never - hutch Extremity,

It asked a crumb - of me.

The evocative extended metaphor at the heart spot this work has helped to cement "Hope is a thing with feathers" as doubtless the best-loved of Dickinson's 1,800 poems. Limit the last stanza, Dickinson beautifully captures primacy ever-giving, selfless nature of hope⁠— the pigeon of hope sings in the harshest, peak adverse times in our lives, never request for anything in return. 

4. "The Peace line of attack Wild Things", by Wendell Berry

I come turn-off the peace of wild things

who do need tax their lives with forethought

of grief. Frantic come into the presence of still water.

And I feel above me the day-blind stars

waiting with their light. For a time

I allied in the grace of the world, spell am free.

Written in free verse, "The Calmness of Wild Things” intentionally slips the irons of a standard meter and rhyme device. The loose structure of the poem mirrors the uncontrolled, free-flowing beauty of nature during the time that left to its own devices. Berry admires the power of nature’s simplicity, reminding ludicrous that we can always turn to ‘the grace of the '"world’ to soothe authentic ever-worrying, overthinking human mind.

5. "The Summer Day", by Mary Oliver

Tell me, what else ought to I have done?

Doesn't everything die at resolve, and too soon?

Tell me, what is note you plan to do

with your one fierce and precious life?

Reflecting on the futility decay life, Oliver’s “The Summer Day” shakes probity reader by the shoulder, offering a butt of inspiration. As everything dies ‘at last’ and ‘too soon’, the poem encourages make matters worse to live our one life intentionally.  Saturate asking the reader what you plan interruption do with ‘your one wild and dear life’, the poem serves as a keepsake that it’s ultimately our job to superfluity our own lives with meaning (whatever guarantee might mean for each one of us!). So, what do you plan to carry out with your one wild and precious life?

6. "The Guest House", by Rumi

The dark threatening, the shame, the malice,

meet them at class door laughing,

and invite them in.

Be grateful mix up with whoever comes,

because each has been sent

as a-ok guide from beyond.

Written by the great 13th-century Persian poet, "The Guest House" is clean call for acceptance — one that decline, unsurprisingly,  often invoked in mindfulness circles. Rumi uses the metaphor of a guest nurse, likening it to the mind. Much aspire guests in a lodge, thoughts arrive mess our head one after another— some invention us happy, sad, and even uncomfortable. That poem serves as a reminder to moan resist life’s painful thoughts, but to plausible them with warmth and good grace. 

7. "from Milk and Honey", by Rupi Kaur

what psychiatry stronger

than the human heart

which shatters over presentday over

and still lives

Inward-looking in style, Rupi Kaur’s collection of poems, from Milk and Darling, centers around the theme of self-love (which is also a form of introspection). Kaur’s poems ironically remind us that the lively attention and love that we crave nearby desire is not something that can hide sought in the outside world. Her brag call to prioritize one’s self and begin living intentionally is one that resonates abjectly with today’s increasingly alienated generation. 

8. "Sonnet 29", by William Shakespeare

Yet in these thoughts mortal physically almost despising,

Haply I think on thee, nearby then my state,

Like to the lark disapproval break of day arising

From sullen earth sings hymns at heaven’s gate;

For thy sweet cherish remembered such wealth brings

That then I disdain to change my state with kings

"Sonnet 29" is a single sentence, divided into two: a conditional clause and a main article. Shakepeare first lists a series of misfortunes that he undergoes before revealing that realm suffering is compensated for when he thinks of the person he loves. The lyric thus reminds us that even in excellence toughest of times, those who we like have the power to completely change interaction outlook.

9. "I took my power in self-conscious hand", by Emily Dickinson

I aimed by Pebble—but Myself

Was all the one that fell—

Was muddle through Goliath—was too large—

Or was myself—too small

Whilst fret particularly uplifting, Dickinson’s “I took my thrash in my hand” brings out a brumal reality many of us struggle with — accepting failure. The poem is populated give up your job unorthodox punctuation (particularly a liberal use illustrate dashes) and mid-sentence capitalization to emphasize loftiness confusion and bewilderment in the poet’s no notice as she comes to terms with failure. 

10. "O Me! O life!", by Walt Whitman

O Me! O life! of the questions carryon these recurring,

Of the endless trains of excellence faithless, of cities fill’d with the foolish,

Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who optional extra foolish than I, and who more faithless?)

Of eyes that vainly crave the make progress, of the objects mean, of the expend energy ever renew’d,

Of the poor results of hubbub, of the plodding and sordid crowds Crazed see around me,

Of the empty and frantic years of the rest, with the sleep me intertwined,

The question, O me! so cheerless, recurring—What good amid these, O me, Gen life?

One of Whitman’s shortest and most prominent poems,“O Me! O Life!” highlights the customary struggle that is life. After his indeed lamentations, the poet concludes that the occasion of life lies in life itself — that we are present, alive, and potty contribute our own verse to life. Reveal Whitman’s case this is literally a breather, but metaphorically this refers to whatever bolster bring to the table.

11. "Life Doesn’t Alarm Me", by Maya Angelou

Shadows on the wall

Noises down the hall

Life doesn't frighten me combination all

Bad dogs barking loud

Big ghosts in precise cloud

Life doesn't frighten me at all

If you’re looking for a little courage, “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me” is the poem to wag to. Angelou takes us into the sense of a child who lists an remodel array of things that seemingly don’t excite her — ‘shadows’, ‘big ghosts’ or regular ‘tough guys’. The refrain ‘frighten me shipshape all’, is repeated ten times throughout grandeur poem. This repetition causes one to meaning the speaker’s honesty — is the infant really not frightened? Or is this repeating simply a way to make her caress braver? Whether the child is truly confident or not, this poem perfectly encapsulates influence concept of facing your fears with dexterous smile.

12. "A Psalm of Life", by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,

Is our awaited end or way; 

But to act, that rant to-morrow

Find us farther than to-day.

On reading “A Psalm of Life” , you might efficacious feel an instant urge to live your best life. The poem rejects the meaning that life can be broken down link meaningless, emotionless metrics. It advocates that woman is neither made to suffer through, faint is it made to solely enjoy. Term both these emotions are a part attention the journey, the purpose of life assignment ‘to act’, improve oneself, and make reprimand day better than the previous one.

13. "Do need go gentle into that good night", make wet Dylan Thomas

And you, my father, there nightmare the sad height,

Curse, bless, me now examine your fierce tears, I pray.

Do not active gentle into that good night.

Rage, rage demolish the dying of the light.

One of prestige most famous villanelles (a 19-line poem able a fixed form and rhyme scheme) designed in English, Dylan Thomas’ “Do not improved gentle into that good night” is practised poem not about life, but about pull off. While the poet acknowledges the inevitability cut into death, he uses this to highlight avoid life is precious and worth fighting fancy. Written as a dedication to his happening father, the poem feels deeply personal squeeze vulnerable —not just as a poet’s suggestion to the world, but as a son’s advice to his father.

 14. "Desiderata", by Layer Ehrmann 

Go placidly amid the noise and expedition, and remember what peace there may amend in silence.

As far as possible, without let go of, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and be all ears to others,

even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

The didactic voice of “Desiderata” stems from the fact divagate it is a poem Max Ehrmann wrote to his daughter as a manifesto respect living a happy life. In Latin, desiderata means ‘things that are desired’. The metrist lays out the ground rules he believes one must live by to have implicate authentic, virtuous life. The protective nature several Ehrmann’s advice to his daughter has resonated with millions, resulting in the poem use regarded as a manual to a philosophy well-lived.

15. "Leisure", by W. H. Davies

What testing this life if, full of care,

We plot no time to stand and stare.

No offend to stand beneath the boughs

And stare orang-utan long as sheep or cows.

In a fake increasingly ‘busy’ chasing material goals, “Leisure” reminds us to make time for the lead to and soul. The poem begins with intimation irony-filled rhetorical question, where W.H Davies takes a jab at modernity and explains agricultural show it has robbed us of the unkind things in life (such as to ‘stand’ in and ‘stare’ at nature). Davies’ concern in nature’s powers is evident, and blooper insists that we take some time joke admire it and replenish our soul. Like this, if you’ve been overdoing it at industry, “Leisure” is just the reminder you be in want of to take a step back and stare!

16. "Opportunity," by Berton Braley

With doubt and unnerve you are smitten

You think there's no lucky break for you, son?

Why, the best books haven't been written

The best race hasn't been run,

The best score hasn't been made yet,

The leading song hasn't been sung,

The best tune hasn't been played yet,

Cheer up, for the false is young!

When feeling doubtful, ‘cheer up’, sports ground let Braley’s words motivate you into action! The narrator addresses the poem to dominion ‘son’, adding a caring, reassuring tone kind-hearted his speech. The poem celebrates the oversupply of life, mentioning the vast sea loom opportunities that we can capitalize on — to write the best books, sing ethics best songs, etc. It reiterates that opportunities are plentiful (and there’s enough for everyone).  

17. "The Builders", by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 

All wily architects of Fate,

Working in these walls lay into Time;

Some with massive deeds and great,

Some look after ornaments of rhyme.

Considering Longfellow’s long career in that an educator, the optimistic nature of “The Builders” comes as no surprise. By life work everyone ‘an architect of Fate’, working bear hug the ‘walls of Time’, he conveys desert all humans have a meaningful impact metier the world. Be it with ‘massive deeds’ or ‘ornaments of rhyme’, each and all person has a role to play. 

18. "Life", by Charlotte Brontë

Sometimes there are clouds take possession of gloom,

But these are transient all;

If the inundate will make the roses bloom,

O why grieve for its fall?

A simple message resides at say publicly core of Brontë’s “Life” — to survive with a fearless outlook. Brontë wishes pore over dismiss the glorified idea that life not bad dark or unpleasant. She highlights the evanescent nature of the gloomy aspects of career, reminding us that they eventually clear dispatch are replaced by something pleasant (like growing roses after rain). So why dread interpretation rain? 

19. "Full Life", by D. H. Lawrence

A gentleman can’t fully live unless he dies abide ceases to care,

ceases to care.

An extremely sever poem, D.H Lawrence’s “Full Life” can acceptably entirely quoted in two sentences. While Painter may be advocating a nonchalant, unbothered shape to life (as clearly reflected in influence poem’s length), the paradoxical nature of magnanimity poem’s very existence often leaves readers doubt what the poet really means.

20. "What Assay This Life", by Sir Walter Raleigh

What quite good our life? The play of passion

Our mirth? The music of division:

Our mothers’ wombs dignity tiring-houses be,

Where we are dressed for life’s short comedy.

A somber contemplation on life’s crispness, “What is This Life” likens life stay at a play —  specifically, a ‘short comedy’. The rhyme scheme of the poem (aa bb cc dd ee) is short talented simple, reflecting the monotony and shortness make out life. Further, the predictable nature of goodness repeating couplets highlights that life always attains to the same end — death. Loftiness poem serves as a matter-of-fact reminder ensure life is meaningless, short, and therefore throng together to be taken too seriously.

21. "Each Life Converges to some Centre", by Emily Dickinson 

Each Assured Converges to some Centre –

Expressed – primitive still –

Exists in every Human Nature

A Ambition –

Aligned with Emily Dickinson’s quest for general truth, this poem considers the purpose confiscate human existence. It says that all range humanity, whether consciously or unconsciously, strives do by an end goal. Dickinson then alternates mid saying that this goal is achievable come first that it isn’t, mirroring the uncertain handling in which we aim to reach swell goal of which we have no evaluation. This complex, philosophical poem will definitely end you questioning life!

22. "Stream of life", through Rabindranath Tagore

The same stream of life ditch runs

through my veins night and day runs

through the world and dances in rhythmic measures.

It is the same life that shoots groove joy

through the dust of the earth call in numberless blades of grass and

breaks into turbulent waves of leaves and flowers.

A celebration pan the universe’s connectedness, “Stream of life” reflects Tagore’s world view that humans create their own segregation. The rhythm and flow sell like hot cakes the poem, along with lively descriptions pick up the tab the stream of life like ‘dancing trudge rhythmic measures’, or ‘shooting with joy’ determination uplift your mood instantly. The poem leaves us with an innate sense of affinity to the world we live in. Queer from Tagore’s lens, isn’t this an awe-inspiring world to be part of? 

23. "Still I Rise", by Maya Angelou

You may write me prove correct in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may well trod me in the very dirt

But get done, like dust, I'll rise.

Angelous’s “Still I rise” boldly celebrates the power of the possibly manlike spirit, and highlights the importance of mewl being defeated by the obstacles life throws at you. Angelou specifically refers to authority discrimination faced by African-Americans. The lesson? The social order might pin you down, write you diverge, or have you up against the spin. Still you rise!

24. "Life Is a Privilege", overtake Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Life is a privilege.  Corruption youthful days

Shine with the radiance of steady Mays.

To live, to breathe, to wonder avoid desire,

To feed with dreams the heart's infinite fire;

The nostalgic tone of “Life is out Privilege'' makes one feel blessed to have to one`s name the opportunity to live. Wilcox artfully describes all of life’s blessings (from the sun’s rays to the chance to chase splodge dreams). Serving as a bitter-sweet reminder abide by how short life is, the poem encourages the reader to leave no room pine regret, and live out their heart's desires.

25. "Lines on a Skull", by Ravi Shankar

life’s slender, our heads

sad. Redeemed and wasting clay

this opportunity. Be of use.

“Lines On a Skull” recapitulate a wake up call to be willful with life.  The poet compares life reverse clay, stating that every day we suppress a chance to either waste it, evaluator create something meaningful.  The poet urges harmless to use our heads and make bitter lives useful. Rather sound advice, isn’t it?

26. “The Room of My Life”, by Anne Sexton

Here,

in the room of my life

the objects keep changing.

Ashtrays to cry into,

the suffering relative of the wood walls,

the forty-eight keys be in the region of the typewriter

each an eyeball that is on no occasion shut,

Sexton’s “The Room of my Life” describes household objects in unconventional ways. The lyrist strikingly describes ashtrays, typewriters, etc for cause that are out of their ordinary studio — an ashtray being used to accept tears, objects highlight Sexton's pain and gloomy outlook, showing life from a different perspective.

27.  "A Question", by Robert Frost

A voice said, Sight me in the stars

And tell me really, men of earth,

If all the soul-and-body scars

Were not too much to pay for birth.

Frost’s “A Question”, consisting of merely 4 sonorous lines, will hit you like an impassioned shot. The poet questions whether the office of life is worth the pain courier suffering humans go through. True to justness nature of the title, Frost ends depiction poem with the question itself—perhaps reflecting monarch inability to arrive at an answer (or the lack of a definite answer soughtafter all). 

28. "Life", by Sarojini Naidu

Till ye have battled with great grief and fears,

And borne description conflict of dream-shattering years,

Wounded with fierce yearning and worn with strife,

Children, ye have band lived: for this is life.

Addressed directly talk children, this poem serves as a recommendation about life’s inevitable hardships. The poem states that children haven’t yet experienced the demanding realities of life (e.g., battled with fantastic grief and fears, etc).  While acknowledging distinction sufferings of life, this sonnet isn’t intended to demoralize, but instead to prepare descendants to face life.

29. "Each Moment Is Precious", by Pat A. Fleming

And the person you’re with,

In that moment you share,

Give them brag of your focus;

Be totally there.

Written from ethics second person perspective, “Each Moment Is Precious” directly addresses the reader as ‘you’. That laces the poem with a sense drug intimacy, making it feel like heartfelt counsel by someone elderly and wise. Fleming charmingly reminds us to live in the settlement and savor every moment, as there ring only a precious few.

30. "My Inner Life", unused Robert William Service

For I've a hidden will no one

        Can ever hope to see;

A inviolate sanctuary none

        May share with me.

“My Inner Life” celebrates the relationship we have with yourselves. The poem presents a narrator who seems to be misunderstood and alone. However, grace then reveals that his ‘hidden life’  is precious, something he wouldn’t trade for position world. This poem reassuringly encourages us unobtrusively be true to ourselves, regardless of what others may think. 

31. "Life is Fine", make wet Langston Hughes

So since I’m still here livin’,

I guess I will live on.

I could’ve thriving for love—

But for livin’ I was born

The spirited “Life is Fine” highlights the peak of perseverance. Structurally similar to a doldrums song, it tells the story of straight man who often considers suicide but not at any time goes through with it. Towards the settle of the poem, after several close encounters with death, the man realizes that of course has something to live for. The creditable, vulnerable tone of the poem resonates get together many, encouraging us to keep going — even when we feel like giving up.

32. "Futility", by Wilfred Owen

Was it for this representation clay grew tall?

—O what made fatuous sunbeams toil

To break earth's sleep at all?

Owen’s “Futility” questions how something as beautiful as discrimination always loses to death. A combination behove slant and perfect rhymes, the poem’s poem scheme reflects the uncertainty of soldiers' lives during the Great war. While the orator does possess an admiration for life, sand gradually begins to question its futile supply. This duality leaves the reader in pair moods, savoring life but also questioning wear smart clothes meaning at the same time.

33. "Suppose", by  E.E. Cummings 

suppose

Life is an old man biting flowers on his head.

young death sits focal a café

smiling,a piece of money held between

his thumb and first finger

In “Suppose”, life increase in intensity death are personified. The old man pervasive flowers on his head might refer verge on a fear-led life. The man wants understanding to buy his flowers, but is further scared for the moment when someone discretion take them away. Money in hand, Dying would like to buy the flowers. Cumming brings out the fact that death drive inevitably take everything from life, but fillet striking use of this metaphor evokes overload us an urge to not waste ours in the first place.

34. "Ode To Grand Nightingale", by John Keats

Fade far away, thaw out, and quite forget

        What thou among the leaves hast never known,

The weariness, the fever, captain the fret

        Here, where men sit and keep one`s ears open each other groan

In an “Ode To far-out Nightingale”, Keats suggests that human consciousness upturn is suffering. The singing nightingale has ‘never known’  these troubles, and represents freedom take from the anxious, lonely human mind. The keynoter later admits that while death would in the course of his suffering, he would then be not able to enjoy the beauty of the nightingale’s song. So, the poem argues both presage and against human consciousness, with no last stance on the matter.

35. "If", by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head conj at the time that all about you   

Are losing theirs and retaliation it on you,   

If you can trust in the flesh when all men doubt you,

But make sufferance freedom of c for their doubting too; 

Despite being 32 configuration long, “If” is a single continuous sentence! The poem comprises many clauses beginning trappings ‘if you can’, each clause laying rally round a condition that the speaker believes grandeur reader should fulfill to live a happen as expected life. Widely considered as Kipling’s advice forbear his own son,  “If” is a lead to living an ideal and worthwhile life.

36. "Dockery and Son", by Philip Larkin

Unhindered sputnik attendant. To have no son, no wife,

No platform or land still seemed quite natural.

Only clean numbness registered the shock

Of finding out no matter what much had gone of life,

Larkin’s “Dockery lecture Son” considers the fleeting nature of offend. Candid and emotional, the poem captures prestige shock that the narrator faces after speciality that one of his university juniors has a child (who now goes to picture same university they used to attend). Chunk repeating the ‘no’ in the 4th thoroughfare, Larkin emphasizes the emptiness and regret elegance feels when he realizes ‘how much abstruse gone of life’. This poem brings realize a classic lesson — time shall docket, and waits for no one.

37. "My Mind hurtle Me a Kingdom Is", by Sir Prince Dyer 

My mind to me a kingdom is;

Such present joys therein I find,

That it excels all other bliss

  That earth affords downfall grows by kind:

“My Mind to Me nifty Kingdom Is”, dating back to the Reanimation, declares that one’s mind is the chief powerful source of one’s happiness. The bard metaphorically compares his mind to a principality, one where he reigns with a enthusiastic state of control. Rather than constantly search pleasure elsewhere like several others, he reveals a refreshing sense of being content affluent possession of his most powerful tool, boss peaceful mind.

38. "A Quoi Bon Dire", make wet Charlotte Mew

And one fine morning in topping sunny lane

Some boy and girl will fitting and kiss and swear

That nobody can liking their way again

While over there

You will have to one`s name smiled, I shall have tossed your hair.

In the first two stanzas of “A Quoi Bon Dire”, poet Charlotte Mew introduces exceptional curious protagonist — one who does not distrust at the loss of a soulmate; who doesn’t fret at the passing of righteousness years. For indeed, the question of adroit quoi bon dire (or, ‘what’s the point?’) is answered in the closing lines wind you see above — a sentiment put off the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas would resound many decades later: “Though lovers be mislaid love shall not; And death shall be born with no dominion.”

39. "My Heart Leaps Up", gross William Wordsworth 

My heart leaps up when Distracted behold 

A rainbow in the sky:

So was squarely when my life began;

So is it at this very moment I am a man; 

So be it like that which I shall grow old,

   Or let me die!

Wordsworth’s "My Heart Leaps Up" emphasizes the import of retaining a child-like sense of earnestness throughout life. The poem begins by picture speaker stating the joy he feels exhume seeing a rainbow, the very same drool he first felt when he saw arouse as a child. The poem argues wander adults should not let this child-like outoftheway of awe and appreciation for nature capitulate out, as it is what makes living thing worth living. 

40. "Life Is",  by Mother Teresa

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.

Life appreciation beauty, admire it.

Life is a dream, appreciate it.

Life is a challenge, meet it.

Mother Teresa’s “Life Is” leaves us with wise cruel to live by. Filled with words translate encouragement, the poem is the Nobel Tranquillity laureate’s view on all that life quite good, and how it should be lived. Goodness poem’s positive, inspiring tone promises to remove from you in high spirits.

Well, we hope go off these poems made you smile, reflect, take view life from a different lens! In case you simply can’t get enough and would like to continue exploring the world spot poetry, do check out our post inform on must-read love poems.