Poems about conflict delve into the raw emotions, complexities, and consequences of discord and confrontation. They explore the inherent tension and clash of opposing forces, whether on an individual, interpersonal, or societal level.
These poems often also convey the turmoil, anger, and pain that arise from conflicts and the potential for growth, understanding, and resolution. Poems about conflict may touch upon themes of war, social injustice, personal struggles, or internal battles of the heart and mind.
‘A Poison Tree’ presents the consequences of harboring anger, which becomes a poisonous tree wreaking devastation.
The poem centers on an unspoken and unresolved conflict between the speaker and their foe. This tension drives the narrative, showing how suppressed conflict grows into something destructive when left unaddressed. The poisoned tree serves as a metaphor for the internal and external consequences of such unresolved discord.
‘The Stars Go Over the Lonely Ocean’ by Robinson Jeffers is a complex poem that suggests that the speaker’s contemporary world is falling apart and is only going to get worse before it gets better.
One of the main topics of the poem is human conflict. It addresses the vast differences we perceive this phenomenon as individuals and as a species, while also expressing frustration at the ideological and political motivations that incite it. But the poem is less critical of war as a concept and more so of the human inclination toward reckless destruction.
Walcott’s ‘A Far Cry from Africa’ explores postcolonial identities, encapsulating the struggle between African roots and colonial influence.
The poem centres around the topic of conflict through its exploration of war and its consequences. The poem delves into the turmoil and violence of colonialism, depicting the devastating impact of conflict on both individuals and societies. Walcott's powerful imagery and evocative language vividly portray the horrors and chaos of war. The poem raises questions about the ethics and complexities of engaging in conflicts, capturing the internal conflicts faced by the poet himself. By addressing the theme of conflict, 'A Far Cry from Africa' invites readers to reflect on the destructive nature of war and the profound implications it has on human lives and identities.
Auden’s ‘Consider This and in Our Time’ captures a society poised on the brink, blending serene imagery with ominous undertones of political upheaval.
Conflict permeates the poem through its depiction of repressed tensions, latent brutality, and spreading rumors. Auden critiques the unresolved struggles within society, where forces of control clash with suppressed desires and fears. This internal and external conflict drives the narrative, reflecting the fragile peace of the interwar period.
‘Why did you come’ by Hilda Doolittle is about love, self-criticism, aging, and the human inability to control judgments and desires.
The speaker of the poem, the poet, engages in internal conflict in "Why have you come,' but this conflict stems from a feat of conflict with other people. The speaker worries about judgment from others, so she internalizes her criticism, guilting herself for feeling attracted to someone. Despite these fears and intrusive thoughts, the speaker cannot fight her blossoming love.
Heaney’s ‘A Constable Calls’ captures a tense childhood memory with a constable, blending innocence with the shadow of authority.
The poem navigates the theme of conflict by portraying the tension between the rural Irish family and the British constable. This interaction symbolizes the larger political and cultural conflict between Ireland and Britain. Heaney uses this seemingly simple encounter to reveal the underlying hostility and mistrust that define the relationships between the oppressor and the oppressed in Northern Ireland.
Gunn’s ‘The Man with Night Sweats’ contrasts past vitality with present fragility, capturing the intimate pain of AIDS.
In ‘The Man with Night Sweats,’ Gunn explores the conflict between the body and the mind. No matter how hard the speaker of this piece tries to look strong, his drooping body does not let him be.
‘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.
Wright's poem discusses the constant conflict between humankind and nature. Rather than being in harmony with nature, people try to exploit it. They disregard the fact that they are poisoning their own future in this way.
‘This Morning I Pray for My Enemies’ by Joy Harjo is a powerful poem that reveals the razor-thin line that separates who we consider a friend or enemy.
One of the topics explored in Joy Harjo's poem is conflict. Yet despite being about enemies, the one conflict that the poem is most embroiled in is the inner contemplation of the speaker. This, in turn, revolves around the profound question of whom they should even consider an enemy, implying not everyone who makes you angry is worthy of being engaged.
And whom do I call my enemy?
An enemy must be worthy of engagement.
I turn in the direction of the sun and keep walking.
It’s the heart that asks the question, not my furious mind.
‘We Lived Happily during the War’ reflects complex feelings of guilt for US foreign policy decisions through the lens of one individual.
This poem connects to conflict on two levels. First, it addresses the real conflicts America is involved in worldwide. But, more importantly, it reveals the inner conflict within the speaker, who feels torn between their own comfort and the suffering caused abroad. They struggle with the reality that their life is largely untouched by these issues despite their strong feelings about them.
Southey’s ‘After Blenheim’ critiques war’s futility through Old Kaspar’s tales to his grandkids, questioning the true cost of victories.
Conflict is at the heart of the poem. It doesn’t just mean the war itself, but also the confusion it brings to those who live through it. The children want answers, but the grandfather can’t give a clear reason for why the war happened. It shows how conflict affects everyday people more than anyone else, and how those who survive are often left trying to make sense of it all.
‘Maud Muller’ by John Greenleaf Whittier is a classic narrative ballad that recounts how the poor peasant, Maud, and an urban judge fantasize about getting married and living together. However, neither of them ever takes action, which fills their lives with regret.
Maud Muller and the judge's different social standings may create the boundaries that make their love unrequited, but their idealized perceptions of what might have been fuel the conflict in this poem.
‘The Gout and The Spider’ by Jean de La Fontaine is a witty tale about life’s miseries, humorously portrayed through personified ailments.
This poem explores conflict by pitting the victim against his affliction. Gout and the spider embody antagonists that refuse to compromise, illustrating internal and external struggles people face in life. Whether it’s an argument, societal pressures, or personal battles, the poem emphasizes the exhausting, ongoing nature of conflict and how sometimes, resolution remains elusive.
‘Charge of the Light Brigade’ by Alfred Lord Tennyson is a historically important poem that tells of the incredible bravery of the British cavalry during the Battle of Balaclava.
There is both physical and emotional conflict throughout the poem. On one hand, the soldiers face enemy fire from all sides. On the other, there’s an inner conflict between knowing something is wrong and still obeying orders. Tennyson does not dive into blame but makes readers aware that war brings mistakes, pressure, and tension. This kind of conflict adds depth to the story, showing how courage and duty are tested even in the middle of chaos.
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