Poetry has long been used as a way to explore and celebrate the natural world, including the animals that inhabit it. Poems about animals can take many forms, from lighthearted and whimsical to serious and introspective. These poems can be written about all kinds of animals, from household pets to exotic wildlife.
One of the benefits of writing poems about animals is that it allows us to connect with the natural world in a meaningful way. By observing animals and contemplating their behavior, we can gain insights into our own lives and experiences. Additionally, poems about animals can help us appreciate the beauty and complexity of the natural world and the creatures that inhabit it.
Some famous examples of animal poems include William Blake’s ‘The Tyger,’ which explores the fierce and awe-inspiring nature of the tiger, and Mary Oliver’s ‘Wild Geese,’ which celebrates the freedom and independence of these birds.
‘To a Mouse’ by Robert Burns describes the unfortunate situation of a mouse whose home was destroyed by the poet himself.
This poem is an incredibly famous and well-loved animal poem that’s written in a traditional Scottish dialect. It describes the fate of a tiny field mouse that the speaker accidentally killed with his plow. As a whole, the poem reflects on the cruelty of humankind.
‘The Eagle’ is a poem that captures the strength of the majestic bird, inspiring readers to reach for the heights of their own potential.
Tennyson’s poem is a short, image-filled poem that celebrates the strength and majesty of an eagle. It depicts an eagle soaring through the sky, ready to dive down and scoop up its chosen prey. It’s only six lines long but is an incredibly effective animal poem.
‘The Fish’ by Elizabeth Bishop is considered to be one of her best poems. In it, readers can find some clues about her personal life.
This is without a doubt one of Elizabeth Bishop's best poems and one of the greatest animal poems ever written. It describes a speaker’s conflicting emotions after catching an extremely large, scarred fish. She notes the "five old pieces of fishing line" hanging out of the fish's mouth and decides to release it.
‘The Swan’ by John Gould Fletcher describes the movements of a swan within a body of water and a speaker’s desire to escape his life.
This poem depicts the movements of a swan on a body of water while alluding to the speaker’s desire to escape the realities of his life and experience something new. The speaker admits that he wishes he could join this one on its unique journey rather than continue living his own life.
‘The Tyger’ is a well-known poem by William Blake. It explores the dark and destructive side of God and his creation.
‘The Tyger’ by William Blake is one of the best-known animal poems ever written. It uses the image of a tiger to question the existence of God and if a God does exist, what their intentions are for humankind. Surely, Blake asks, the same God who made the tiger couldn’t have made the lamb?
‘Dog’ by Lawrence Ferlinghetti is a philosophically complex poem that uses the perspective of a dog to speak on free will and religion.
This is a moving poem about spirituality and free will. The poem asks readers to consider the independent lives and desires of all beings, including dogs. The poet spends a great deal of time in this text conveying a dog's unique perspective on the world.
‘The Badger’ by John Clare is a narrative poem that portrays the cruelty and danger that animals face in the natural world.
This is a popular animal poem written in heroic couplets. The poem is about animal cruelty, specifically badger baiting. It speaks about the horrors of the practice, alluding to the speaker’s belief that it should be outlawed. Clare's vivid descriptions of the badger's behavior and movements help readers connect with the animal and empathize with its plight.
‘The Crocodile’ by Lewis Carroll tells, very briefly, of a crocodile who sneakily attracts fish and then swallows them with a big smile on his face.
This is a short, memorable poem that was included in ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.’ The poem describes a smiling crocodile who sneakily attracts and swallows fish. The creature uses deception and cunning and is cleverly personified by Carroll. Carroll employs anthropomorphism to make the crocodile seem more relatable and human-like, highlighting the peculiarities of the animal kingdom in a light-hearted manner.
‘At Grass’ by Philip Larkin is a poem about fame and happiness. It focuses on racehorses and how they found new homes away from their previous lives.
This is a poem that is as much about horses as it is about the conflicting nature of fame and happiness. The poet speaks about the fate of two famous racehorses who found a new home in a far happier pasture. It alludes to the fact that fame and happiness rarely work hand-in-hand.
‘The Owl and the Pussy-Cat’ by Edward Lear is a simple, joy-filled poem that tells the marriage story of an owl and a cat.
This is a wonderful nonsense poem that is ranked among Lear’s best works. It depicts a unique marriage story between an owl and a cat as they profess their love for one another. The poem features two anthropomorphic animals, an owl, and a cat, who interact with each other and experience human emotions like love and joy. The poem highlights the beauty and diversity of the animal kingdom and showcases how animals can form unlikely but meaningful friendships.
‘Australia 1970’ by Judith Wright speaks on the changing landscape of Australia in the 1970s. It promotes a fierce, wild, and dangerous version of Australia like the animals that have always lived within its boundaries.
In this poem, readers can find a number of references to Australian wildlife. For instance, the first stanza begins with a reference to the eaglehawk, a type of bird native to Australia.
‘Bullfrog’ by Ted Hughes unveils hidden power in nature and explores the theme of appearance versus potential and reality.
This poem intimately engages with the natural world and its creatures. The bullfrog, as the central subject, embodies the essence of the animal kingdom. Hughes' keen observation and portrayal of frogs' characteristics and behaviors provide insight into the interconnection of the animal world with human perception. The poem prompts readers to contemplate the relationship between humanity and the animal kingdom, shedding light on the often-overlooked beauty and intrigue within these creatures.
With their lithe, long, strong legs,
Some frogs are able
To thump upon double-
Bass strings, though pond water deadens and clogs.
Alice Oswald’s ‘Eel Tail’ explores nature’s elusiveness and mysteries through the enigmatic movements of eels that defy human understanding.
The poem presents the unbridgeable gap between humans and animals while underlining the animals' proximity to nature. The eels' elusive nature and natural habitat present the difference between the human speaker and the animal world. Despite the speaker's attempts to observe them, eels retreat into the darkness of their habitat, staying inaccessible to humans. The natural habitat serves as the border between the human and animal realms, stressing the inherent mystery and unknowability of the animal world and their proximity to the enigmas of nature.
‘O snail’ by Kobayashi Issa is a well-known poem that celebrates nature while also inspiring readers to take their time to overcome great obstacles.
Animals play a significant role in Issa's poetry. In this case, the poet focuses on a single snail that represents both the delicate balance of nature and the universal experiences shared by all creatures. Through his observations of the snail, Issa invites readers to contemplate their own place within the natural world and how they, too, might climb their own "Mt. Fuji."
‘Toads’ by Philip Larkin explores the confines of everyday life. Throughout, he uses a frog as a way to depict duel pressures in his life.
The toad serves as a powerful symbol, representing the burdensome and unappealing aspects of work and obligation. By choosing an animal that is generally not seen as graceful or majestic, Larkin effectively conveys the ugliness he associates with the societal obligations that constrain us.
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