Poetry: Perseverance

This thematic Collection highlights poems centered on the experiences of perseverance and determination. These titles examine the human drive to overcome personal and social obstacles, such as racism. Representing hundreds of years of literary history, the Collection includes works by authors such as John Donne, Maya Angelou, Walt Whitman, and Kwame Alexander.

Publication year 2020Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Lyric Poem, Grief / Death, American Literature

Publication year 1888Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: Nation, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Gratitude, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Values/Ideas: Equality, Natural World: Place, Society: CommunityTags Free verse

Publication year 1992Genre Poem, FictionThemes Natural World: Space & The Universe, Society: Community, Identity: Race, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Lyric Poem, Race / Racism

Publication year 1921Genre Poem, FictionThemes Natural World: Nurture v. Nature, Natural World: Climate, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Values/Ideas: BeautyTags Lyric Poem

Publication year 1838Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Lyric Poem, Grief / Death, American Literature, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1965Genre Poem, FictionThemes Identity: Gender, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Identity: Femininity, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Values/Ideas: Order & ChaosTags Free verse, Animals, Race / Racism, Gender / Feminism, Confessional, Women's Studies (Nonfiction), American Literature, History: World, Mental Illness, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1855Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Society: Community, Society: Nation, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Values/Ideas: Trust & DoubtTags Lyric Poem, Technology

Publication year 1991Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Natural World: FoodTags Narrative / Epic Poem, Love / Sexuality

Publication year 1998Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: ConflictTags Metaphysical, Science / Nature, British Literature

Publication year 1888Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Win & LoseTags Narrative / Epic Poem, Sports

Publication year 1900Genre Poem, NonfictionThemes Society: Colonialism, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags History: World, History: U.S.

Publication year 2017Genre Poem, FictionThemes Identity: Race, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: ConflictTags Race / Racism, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, American Literature

Publication year 1633Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Values/Ideas: Win & LoseTags Lyric Poem, Grief / Death, Education, Education, British Literature, History: World, Classic Fiction, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 2018Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Race / Racism, Social Justice, Trauma / Abuse / Violence

Genre Poem, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Relationships: Fathers, Society: Education, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: The Past, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: NostalgiaTags Relationships, Agriculture, Lyric Poem, Education, Education

Publication year 1951Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Classic Fiction, Education, Education, British Literature, History: World

“Do not go gentle into that good night” is an iconic poem by 20th-century Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, who occupied a special place in the public imagination for his magnetic readings and the revival of Romantic themes in his poetry. This poem, which appeared in his 1952 collection In Country Sleep, remains a favorite in anthologies and popular culture for its universal content and unforgettable dual refrain. “Do not go gentle into that good night” is... Read Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night Summary


Publication year 1968Genre Poem, FictionThemes Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Joy, Values/Ideas: FameTags Satire, Lyric Poem, Race / Racism

Publication year 1979Genre Poem, FictionThemes Life/Time: Aging, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Place, Natural World: Appearance & RealityTags Lyric Poem, Grief / Death

Publication year 2015Genre Poem, FictionThemes Identity: Gender, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Inspirational, Music, Gender / Feminism

Publication year 1891Genre Poem, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Science / Nature

Publication year 1929Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: LoveTags Lyric Poem, Relationships, Love / Sexuality

Publication year 1860Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: Nation, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: GratitudeTags Lyric Poem, Free verse

Publication year 1947Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Free verse, Race / Racism, History: U.S.

Publication year 2012Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Race / Racism, History: U.S.

Publication year 1986Genre Poem, FictionThemes Natural World: Environment, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Lyric Poem, American Literature, Food

Publication year 1922Genre Poem, FictionThemes Natural World: Nurture v. Nature, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Win & LoseTags Lyric Poem, Existentialism, Harlem Renaissance

Publication year 1918Genre Poem, FictionThemes Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Religion / Spirituality, Victorian Period, Industrial Revolution, Education, Education

Publication year 2016Genre Poem, FictionThemes Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Relationships: FamilyTags Free verse, Parenting, Science / Nature, Gender / Feminism

Publication year 2020Genre Poem, FictionThemes Identity: Gender, Identity: Masculinity, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Lyric Poem, Gender / Feminism, African American Literature, Mythology

Publication year 1992Genre Poem, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: HopeTags Lyric Poem, Depression / Suicide, Mental Illness, Health / Medicine

Publication year 1891Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Lyric Poem, Philosophy, Romanticism / Romantic Period, Animals

Publication year 2005Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Life/Time: Mortality & DeathTags War On Terrorism / Iraq War

Publication year 1916Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: Nation, Society: Community, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Modernism, Class

Publication year 1986Genre Poem, FictionThemes Identity: Race, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Lyric Poem, Immigration / Refugee, Mythology

Publication year 1977Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: Politics & Government, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Lyric Poem, Philosophy, Science / Nature, Latin American Literature, Animals

Publication year 1910Genre Poem, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Daughters & SonsTags Inspirational, Lyric Poem, Relationships

Publication year 1929Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Lyric Poem, Love / Sexuality, Grief / Death

Publication year 1891Genre Poem, FictionThemes Natural World: Nurture v. Nature, Society: Economics, Natural World: Environment, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Life/Time: Mortality & DeathTags Lyric Poem, Grief / Death, Business / Economics

Publication year 1919Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Grief / Death, Race / Racism, Colonialism / Postcolonialism, African American Literature, Harlem Renaissance, Education, Education, Classic Fiction

Publication year 2008Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: RaceTags Lyric Poem, Harlem Renaissance, Race / Racism, Social Justice

Publication year 1977Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: Politics & Government, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Narrative / Epic Poem, Immigration / Refugee, Social Justice, American Literature

Publication year 1891Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Values/Ideas: Fame, Natural World: AnimalsTags Lyric Poem, American Literature, Children's Literature, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1850Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Lyric Poem, Grief / Death, Victorian Period

Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s In Memoriam AHH explores the cosmic implications of the death of a college friend (his sister’s fiancé), poet Arthur Henry Hallam, who died quite unexpectedly in 1833 at the age of 22 most likely from a cerebral hemorrhage. The poem is among the most ambitiously conceived philosophical poems in the English language and a monument to the dynamics of how Christians themselves grapple with the thorny question of mortality. The work stands... Read In Memoriam Summary


Publication year 2017Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: Nation, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Life/Time: The Future, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Literature, Society: Community, Society: Politics & Government, Society: Immigration, Identity: Race, Identity: Language, Natural World: Place, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: HopeTags Lyric Poem, Diversity, Social Justice, History: U.S., Black Lives Matter, Immigration / Refugee, American Literature

Publication year 1988Genre Poem, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Art, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Lyric Poem, Arts / Culture, American Literature

Publication year 1889Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Win & LoseTags Lyric Poem, Disability, Inspirational, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1988Genre Poem, FictionThemes Identity: Gender, Society: War, Society: Politics & Government, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Lyric Poem, Gender / Feminism, African American Literature

Publication year 1949Genre Poem, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Lyric Poem, WWII / World War II

Publication year 1871Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Natural World: AnimalsTags Mythology

Publication year 1980Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Values/Ideas: FateTags Lyric Poem

Publication year 1872Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: Education, Identity: Race, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Lyric Poem, History: U.S., Race / Racism

Publication year 1990Genre Poem, FictionThemes Natural World: Environment, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Values/Ideas: Fate, Natural World: PlaceTags Lyric Poem, Science / Nature

Publication year 1900Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Values/Ideas: Equality, Emotions/Behavior: Joy, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Society: Nation, Life/Time: The Past, Life/Time: The Future, Identity: Race, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Lyric Poem, Inspirational, African American Literature, American Literature, Race / Racism, Religion / Spirituality, Civil Rights / Jim Crow, History: U.S.

Publication year 1773Genre Poem, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Religion / Spirituality, Lyric Poem, Depression / Suicide

“Light Shining Out of Darkness,” written by William Cowper, was first published in 1774 by John Newton, a Calvinist pastor, in Twenty-Six Letters on Religious Subjects; to Which Are Added Hymns. Later, the hymn was again collected in Olney Hymns in 1779, a text featuring hymns by both Cowper and Newton (“Light Shining Out of Darkness.” Representative Poetry Online, 1998.). In addition to being a hymn, the text could be labeled as a lyric poem... Read Light Shining Out of Darkness Summary


Publication year 1976Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Values/Ideas: Trust & DoubtTags Lyric Poem

Publication year 1939Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Values/Ideas: Win & LoseTags Lyric Poem, Love / Sexuality, Relationships

Publication year 1959Genre Poem, FictionThemes Identity: Race, Natural World: Animals, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Values/Ideas: Equality, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Lyric Poem, Harlem Renaissance, American Literature, African American Literature, Race / Racism, Civil Rights / Jim Crow, Social Justice, History: U.S.

Publication year 1816Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Music, Values/Ideas: Order & ChaosTags Lyric Poem, Science / Nature, Romanticism / Romantic Period

Publication year 1945Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Lyric Poem, Race / Racism

Publication year 1976Genre Poem, FictionThemes Life/Time: Aging, Relationships: Fathers, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Lyric Poem, Relationships, American Literature

Simon J. Ortiz originally published “My Father’s Song” in his poetry/story collection entitled A Good Journey (1977). Ortiz is a major writer in the Native American Renaissance, a movement which began in the 1960s and marked a significant increase in the production of literary works by Native Americans in the United States. The poem was written at a time when Ortiz was collecting and recounting stories from Indigenous tribes across the United States, and his... Read My Father's Song Summary


Publication year 1974Genre Poem, FictionThemes Natural World: Space & The Universe, Relationships: Teams, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: FemininityTags Lyric Poem, Gender / Feminism, Social Justice, Relationships

Publication year 2020Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Race, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Lyric Poem, Race / Racism, Colonialism / Postcolonialism, Gender / Feminism, History: World, LGBTQ

Publication year 1816Genre Poem, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Lyric Poem, Mythology, Romanticism / Romantic Period

Publication year 2001Genre Poem, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Equality, Identity: Race, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Society: Nation, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Narrative / Epic Poem, Race / Racism

Publication year 1856Genre Poem, FictionThemes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Society: Politics & Government, Society: Nation, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Lyric Poem, Auto/Biographical Fiction, Transcendentalism, Education, Education, History: U.S., American Literature, History: World, Classic Fiction

“Song of Myself” is a free verse poem by the American writer, journalist, and poet Walt Whitman. The poem is often classified as a work of transcendentalist literature. Originally self-published by Whitman himself in 1855, it was considerably revised and expanded over subsequent decades. In 1889, “Song of Myself” was released in its final form as part of the last edition of the collection Leaves of Grass. This final version—the version referenced in this guide—is... Read Song of Myself Summary


Publication year 1893Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags African American Literature, Harlem Renaissance

Publication year 1609Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Apathy, Emotions/Behavior: HopeTags Relationships

Publication year 1923Genre Poem, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Gratitude, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Values/Ideas: BeautyTags Science / Nature, Education, Education, History: U.S., American Literature, History: World, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1977Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: RaceTags Inspirational, Lyric Poem, Race / Racism, Women's Studies (Nonfiction), Gender / Feminism, American Literature, Classic Fiction

Maya Angelou was an American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist whose career spanned over 50 years. She published seven autobiographies, several books of poetry, and three essay collections and wrote plays, movies, and television shows. Her widely acclaimed work has received numerous awards, and Angelou has received over 50 honorary degrees. Her best known work is her first autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sing, which focuses on her childhood up to the... Read Still I Rise Summary


Publication year 1899Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Race / Racism, Social Justice, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1994Genre Poem, FictionThemes Relationships: Friendship, Identity: Mental Health, Values/Ideas: Fame, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Life/Time: Mortality & DeathTags Lyric Poem, Relationships

Publication year 1726Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: War, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Identity: Masculinity, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Society: Nation, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Narrative / Epic Poem, Military / War, History: European, Grief / Death, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, British Literature, Education, Education, History: World, Classic Fiction

“The Battle of Maldon” is a heroic poem, also classified as an epic, dating from the 10th century. Originally written in Old English, the text details a violent battle between the Anglo-Saxon warriors and the raiding Vikings. The Anglo-Saxons are led by Earl Byrhtnoth, who held land in the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Essex and fought for his ruler, King Æthelred the Unready. The poem depicts some of the central tenets of Anglo-Saxon culture, praising loyalty... Read The Battle of Maldon Summary


Publication year 2001Genre Poem, FictionThemes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Fate, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: MemoryTags Lyric Poem, Confessional

Publication year 1914Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: Nation, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Music, Values/Ideas: Good & EvilTags Narrative / Epic Poem, Race / Racism, Music, Classic Fiction

Publication year 2018Genre Poem, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Society: Community, Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: LanguageTags Lyric Poem, Race / Racism, Diversity, Social Justice

Publication year 1974Genre Poem, FictionThemes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Society: CommunityTags Lyric Poem, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 1633Genre Poem, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: HopeTags Lyric Poem, Metaphysical, Love / Sexuality, Relationships, Education, Education, History: World, Romance, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1985Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Natural World: Climate, Values/Ideas: Literature, Natural World: Place, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Lyric Poem, Religion / Spirituality, Colonialism / Postcolonialism

Publication year 1961Genre Poem, FictionThemes Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Nurture v. Nature, Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Relationships

Publication year 1999Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: Class, Identity: Race, Society: Politics & Government, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Allegory / Fable / Parable, Auto/Biographical Fiction, Race / Racism, Relationships, African American Literature, Music, Biography, Social Justice

Publication year 2019Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Children's Literature, History: African , Black Lives Matter, Civil Rights / Jim Crow, History: U.S., Race / Racism

“The Undefeated” (2019) is a free verse children’s poem by poet and novelist Kwame Alexander. The poem, published as a picture book, celebrates Black Americans, highlighting the struggles the Black community has endured and overcome throughout America’s history, with particular attention on great figures from history, including artists, athletes, and civil rights activists. While the poem’s target audience is children, Alexander and the book’s illustrator, Kadir Nelson, address serious topics like slavery and police brutality... Read The Undefeated Summary


Publication year 1919Genre Poem, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: HopeTags Lyric Poem, Race / Racism, Social Justice

Publication year 1969Genre Poem, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Literature, Relationships: Fathers, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Natural World: AnimalsTags Free verse

Publication year 2018Genre Poem, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Immigration / Refugee, History: Asian

Publication year 1963Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Lyric Poem, Love / Sexuality

Publication year 1973Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Natural World: Animals, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Lyric Poem

Publication year 2000Genre Poem, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Natural World: Appearance & RealityTags Lyric Poem, Science / Nature

Publication year 1896Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Natural World: Flora/plants, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Natural World: Nurture v. NatureTags Relationships

Publication year 2014Genre Poem, FictionThemes Identity: Race, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Race / Racism, Social Justice, Harlem Renaissance, Black Arts Movement

Publication year 1648Genre Poem, FictionThemes Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: The Future, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Lyric Poem, Love / Sexuality

Publication year 1917Genre Poem, FictionThemes Life/Time: Aging, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Life/Time: Mortality & DeathTags Imagist poetry

Publication year 1992Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Values/Ideas: Win & LoseTags Lyric Poem, Humor, Holidays & Occasions, Relationships

Publication year 2018Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Lyric Poem, Race / Racism, African American Literature, Mythology, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World

Publication year 1935Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: HopeTags Free verse, American Literature

Publication year 1960Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Classic Fiction, Black Arts Movement, Lyric Poem, Harlem Renaissance, Food, Education, Education, African American Literature, History: World

Gwendolyn Brooks stands among the foremost American poets of the 20th century. A master of poetic form and portraiture, she explored black life in Chicago, where she lived for the majority of her life. The poem “We Real Cool,” Brooks’s most famous work, appeared in her 1960 collection The Bean Eaters.As a fledgling writer, Brooks combined early influences from the literary era of modernism, defined by poets like Ezra Pound, Wallace Stevens, T.S. Eliot, and... Read We Real Cool Summary


Publication year 1998Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Lyric Poem, Grief / Death, American Literature, Education, Education, Gender / Feminism, Modern Classic Fiction, LGBTQ

Publication year 1673Genre Poem, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Society: NationTags Lyric Poem, Disability, Metaphysical, Education, Education, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1986Genre Poem, FictionThemes Identity: Race, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Equality, Life/Time: The Past, Life/Time: AgingTags Holidays & Occasions, Civil Rights / Jim Crow, History: U.S.

Publication year 1987Genre Poem, FictionThemes 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: MothersTags Lyric Poem, Gender / Feminism

Publication year 2019Genre Poem, FictionThemes 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 / PerseveranceTags LGBTQ, Love / Sexuality, Narrative / Epic Poem