Top 10 Most Famous Short Classic Poems Of All Time

Poetry is a form of literature that uses language and structure to raise emotions and create images. Short classic poems are about 9 lines or less and use less than 60 words. These poems are beautiful, rhythmic, and meaningful which explain different perspectives of life. Every poem has a heartwarming story behind it and stays with you for years.

We are about to explore the top 10 best and most famous short classic poems of all time. These poems are excellent to spend time reading and always to have prepared because they offer an unforgettable story of an emotional moment.

10. “No Man Is An Island” by John Donne

No man is an island,

Entire of itself,

Every man is a piece of the continent,

A part of the main.

John Donne is the author of the famous short poem “No Man Is An Island”, 1624. He talks about the interpretation of humans with their lives.

The poem explores the idea of the connection of humans with humanity. Here, people believe they are completely independent and self-sufficient. But being a human involves involvement and participation in every activity connected to another human. So, everyone’s death would impact everyone because of humankind within us.

9. “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may trod me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, I’ll rise.

“Still I Rise” is a short meaningful poem composed by poet Maya Angelou in 1978. In this poem, “you” is the metaphor for the obstacles her ancestors had gone through slavery and discrimination because of colourism.

“Still I Rise” represents the self-esteem and confidence of the poet. It portrays the celebration of dignity in the face of oppression. She overcame prejudice and hatred and will never allow herself to be broken again. The poem describes that the dark past can never affect her and she will always rise and shine.

8. “Shall I Compare Thee To A Summer’s Day?” by William Shakespeare

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate:

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,

And summer’s lease hath all too short a date;

Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,

And often is his gold complexion dimmed;

“Shall I Compare Thee To A Summer’s Day?” is a short beautiful poem written in the 1590s by the greatest poet, William Shakespeare. This poem is dedicated to his loved ones whom he would cherish forever.

The poem demonstrates art and immorality. It is dedicated to the beauty of his loved ones compared to the beautiful summer days. Their beauty transcends the idea of perfection. This poem is meant to serve as a constant reminder to the reader about his loved ones.

7. “Fire And Ice” by Robert Frost

Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I’ve tasted of desire,

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice

Is also great

And would suffice.

In 1920, the short meaningful poem “Fire And Ice” was written by Robert Frost. He states how dangerous we humans are to end human existence. Here, the metaphors fire describe desire and passion whereas ice for hatred and anger are stated as human emotions.

However, the poet does not mean that the world will end because of fire or ice. These are demonstrations of how humankind is fated to destroy itself and grow stronger and scarier. It shows how both factors would ultimately lead to the end of humanity.

6. “Trees” by Joyce Kilmer

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

Joyce Kilmer wrote one of the famous short poems “Trees” in 1913. The whole poem uses symbols to show nature and appreciates its creator. It praises the art of nature. He believes that no poem will ever be as lovely as a tree.

He also claims that no poetry or work of art will be comparable to what already exists on the planet. He also criticized human activities against nature. The poet thinks this activity is not smart so he calls himself and other people fools.

5. “Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley

I met a traveler from an antique land

Who said: ‘Two vast and trunkless legs of stone

Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,

Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,

And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,

This famous short poem “Ozymandias” was written in 1817 as a part of a poetry contest by Percy Bysshe Shelley. It is all about how everything has its own time and also how it impacts everyone’s life.

In this poem, Ozymandias is represented as a powerful king who built a statue in the middle of the desert so that the coming generations will praise and remember his victory forever. However, today the mightiest empires and statues have been ruined. The poet justifies that nothing is stable in this world; everything is subject to change and decay.

4. “Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep” by Mary Elizabeth Frye

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

In 1932, the short meaningful poem “Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep” was written by Mary Elizabeth Frye. The poet leaves a note for her loved one to not mourn after her death.

The speaker believes that people who are reading are sad for her. She emphasizes that even after death, she would exist in countless breezes, glitter of snow and in every happy moment. So, one should not be downhearted at the graveyard and move on living their life happily.

3. “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at the close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,

Because their words had forked no lightning they

Do not go gentle into that good night.

This beautiful short poem “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” was written by Dylan Thomas in 1947. The poet dedicated this beautiful poem to explaining life and death to his father.

The poem is an illustration of a request letter from the son to the father to keep living passionately, even in the face of death. The poet encourages people to live life to the fullest before it is too late. It defines why people should rage against death and must fight it courageously to cherish life.

2. “Hope Is The Thing With Feathers” by Emily Dickinson

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –

That perches in the soul –

And sings the tune without the words-

And never stops -at all –

“Hope Is The Thing With Feathers” is a famous short poem written by Emily Dickinson in 1861. This poem radiates as a ray of hope when things aren’t going the way. The poet used the strong-willed bird as a metaphor; Birds sing and fly, they perch, nest and move constantly. 

By comparing hope to a bird it shows how fleeting hope can be. It reminds us that hope lives within us and never leaves, even in the hardest moments, giving us the strength to carry on in every step of life.

1. “I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud” by William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o’er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

In 1804, a great short poem “I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud” was written by William Wordsworth, expressing his deep love for nature. He states his natural happiness with the moment he expresses his natural joy at the sight of daffodils captivating his heart. The poet compares himself to clouds flying over hills and valleys. It was golden in colour and referred to stars in the Milky Way. The speaker looked at the flowers, feeling thoughtful and amazed and enjoying their welcoming presence.

Conclusion

These top 10 famous short classic poems are about life, love, nature, and human emotions. According to the experts from Cdr Engineers Australia, poets have used the words wonderfully which would capture the reader’s moments beautifully. Whether it’s Maya Angelou’s resilience in “Still I Rise” or Emily Dickinson’s depiction of hope in “Hope Is The Thing With Feathers,” these poems continue to inspire readers worldwide. Every one of them offers a captivating story of an intense moment.

FAQs

1. What is Considered The Shortest Poem Ever?

The shortest poem ever is a one-letter poem by Aram Saroyan consisting of a four-legged portrayal of the letter “m.”

2. What are Some Good 15-line Poems?

15-line poems are called rondeau, which contains between eight and 10 syllables. Some of them are;

1. If Love Were Mine by Annette Wynne.
2. The Comparative Degree by Amos Russel Wells.
3. The Good Man by Richard Lynott O’Malley.
4. Not They Who Soar by Paul Laurence Dunbar.

3. What is a Very Short Poem Called?

The very short poetry is known as a “Haiku.” It is composed of three lines: one with five syllables, one with seven syllables and finally one with five syllables.