Poems about Exploration

‘The North Ship’ by Philip Larkin is a poignant poem about that uses the images of ships to ruminate on the kinds of journeys one experiences in the course of their life.

Exploration is defining topic of Larkin's poem. Although it is ambiguous about the purpose of each vessel (it is strongly implied it is mostly commerce), the image of a ship embarking on a journey invokes sentiments tied to exploration. The poem taps into a restlessness of the spirit that is inherent to life, as we rarely stay so stagnant.

I saw three ships go sailing by,

Over the sea, the lifting sea,

And the wind rose in the morning sky,

And one was rigged for a long journey.

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When I have Fears that I may Cease to Be

by John Keats

Keats’ ‘When I Have Fears that I May Cease to Be’ contemplates existential fears concerning mortality and how they thwart aspirations.

Death threatens to halt the speaker's exploration of nature's beauty and transcendental power, depriving him of the opportunity to trace the 'huge cloudy symbols' and experience the 'magic hand of chance' in nature's mysteries. This might be Keats' desire to explore and immerse himself in the wonders of nature, a central tenet of romanticism. The poem shows the beauty and awe-inspiring grandeur of the natural world's potential for sublime experiences that need exploration.

When I have fears that I may cease to be

Before my pen has glean’d my teeming brain,

Before high piled books, in charact’ry,

Hold like rich garners the full-ripen’d grain;

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From A Railway Carriage

by Robert Louis Stevenson

‘From a Railway Carriage’ by Robert Louis Stevenson wakes up rather sudden and instantaneous images of the rustic countryside; it overcomes the reader with impressions of the brevity of life and its rich variety.

The poem is related to exploration as it conveys the concept of a train trip, which means the exploration of territories and spaces one has never seen before. It brings the idea of discovery similar to exploring lands, as well as perceiving the world from the opposite side. Through the poem, readers are challenged to go on a visual and touch-sensitive tour suggesting the mystery, the adventure of coming across transient visions and episodes of traveling.

Faster than fairies, faster than witches,

Bridges and houses, hedges and ditches;

And charging along like troops in a battle,

All through the meadows the horses and cattle:

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Pioneers! O Pioneers!

by Walt Whitman

Witten at the end of the American Civil War, ‘Pioneers! O, Pioneers!’ captures the optimism of the country at the time. People were spreading westward and settling and there was a feeling that the country was on the verge of greatness. Whitman urges the pioneers forward with their exploration. There is a sense of urgency, as though there is no time to waste.

This poem is all about exploration. Whitman sees the exploration and settlement of the westward parts of America as a great adventure which the people are embarking on. He has faith in them achieving their goal and discusses some of the geography that they will see. There is an excitement about the people heading off into the unknown and discovering a new land.

Come, my tan-faced children,

Follow well in order, get your weapons ready;

Have you your pistols? have you your sharp edged axes?

Pioneers! O pioneers!

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Star-Fix

by Marilyn Nelson

‘Star-Fix’ by Marilyn Nelson is a poem that lionizes the noble role of the navigator onboard an aircraft.

The poem might not exactly be about explorers but the emphasis on the role of the navigator does bring to mind the thrill of exploration. The crew's isolation and incredible reliance on the navigator's skills only emphasizes this.

At his cramped desk under the astrodome, the navigator looks

thousands of light-years everywhere but down. He gets a celestial fix,

measuring head-winds; checking the log; plotting wind-speed,

altitude, drift in a circle of protractors, slide-rules, and pencils.

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The Canterbury Tales: General Prologue

by Geoffrey Chaucer

‘The Canterbury Tales: General Prologue’ by Geoffrey Chaucer expresses the poem’s satirical view on the society of its time.

Whan that Aprille with his shoures soote,

The droghte of March hath perced to the roote,

And bathed every veyne in swich licóur

Of which vertú engendred is the flour;

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The Solitude of Night

by Li Bai

‘The Solitude of Night’ by Li Bai portrays the speaker’s solitude in the aftermath of a wine party at night.

Exploration unfolds in the poem as the speaker embarks on a solitary walk along the river on a moonlit night. This act of wandering becomes a metaphorical journey, not just in physical space but also in a subconscious state, exploring the depths of introspection. The moonlight is a guiding force, illuminating the path for the speaker to explore his inner thoughts and emotions. The exploration of solitude lends a contemplative and introspective dimension to the poem while, in turn, leading to the creation of this poem.

It was at a wine party—

I lay in a drowse, knowing it not.

The blown flowers fell and filled my lap.

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In Paths Untrodden

by Walt Whitman

‘In Paths Untrodden’ champions the necessity of companions, defining it as an affectionate and possibly romantic bond between men that defies societal standards.

Ultimately, the poem is an exploration of identity, one that is initiated by traveling down a path previously "untrodden." Whitman uses the symbolism of such a path to accentuate the speaker's self-discovery and rejection of conformity. Yet it also provides a setting outside of society that allows them to acknowledge aspects of their identity they would otherwise be too fearful to articulate.

In paths untrodden,

In the growth by margins of pond-waters,

Escaped from the life that exhibits itself,

From all the standards hitherto publish'd—from the

#10

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A Plate

by Gertrude Stein

‘A Plate’ is a modernist abstract experimental prose poem that explores thoughts triggered by ordinary objects.

'A Plate' is the exploration of linguistic expression as Stein experiments with language to present the essence of momentary thoughts without the interruption of any outside context or suggestion. Like painters, she also tries to make portraits of objects as they are perceived in a moment. Thus, she also explores the capability of the language to construct such portraits in writing.

A PLATE.

An occasion for a plate, an occasional resource is in buying and how soon does washing enable a selection of the same thing neater. If the party is small a clever song is in order.

#11

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Lamium

by Louise Glück

In ‘Lamium’ by Louise Glück, the speaker under maple trees reflects on emotional detachment and the search for self-reliance.

'Lamium' navigates the topic of exploration through the speaker's introspective journey of emotional discovery. The imagery of shadows, sunlight, and self-generated light symbolizes the exploration of inner landscapes and the quest for self-awareness amidst emotional detachment. Through vivid imagery and metaphor, the poem delves into the complexities of navigating the depths of one's own emotions and finding resilience in the face of isolation.

This is how you live when you have a cold heart.

As I do: in shadows, trailing over cool rock,

under the great maple trees.

The sun hardly touches me.

#12

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Wodwo

by Ted Hughes

‘Wodwo’ by Ted Hughes is a dramatic monologue that depicts a “Wodwo” or fictional human-like creature. The creature investigates his surroundings and repetitively questions his existence.

The speaker explores their surroundings and their inner thoughts. Exploration means searching or traveling to discover something new. This topic shows how exploration can lead to new insights and understanding. It highlights the importance of being open to new experiences.

What am I? Nosing here, turning leaves over

Following a faint stain on the air to the river's edge

I enter water. Who am I to split

#13

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Our Lady

by Carl Phillips

‘Our Lady’ by Carl Phillips reflects on identity, mortality, and the transient nature of beauty and fame with poignant introspection.

Carl Phillips' poem addresses exploration through introspective reflections on identity and mortality. The character's contemplation of past experiences and regrets invites readers on a journey of self-discovery. Through poignant language and vivid imagery, the poem explores the depths of human emotion and the quest for meaning amidst life's uncertainties. It encourages readers to embark on an introspective exploration of the complexities of existence.

In the final hour, our lady—Of

the electric rosary, Of the highway,

by then Of the snows mostly—was

#14

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Retreating Light

by Louise Glück

In ‘Retreating Light’, the speaker empowers humans with the tools and experiences to craft their own stories, finding fulfillment in their newfound independence.

By giving humans the tools to write their own stories, the speaker encourages them to explore their own thoughts, emotions, and experiences. This highlights the journey of self-discovery and the process of venturing into the unknown aspects of one's inner and outer worlds.

You were always very young children,

always waiting for a story.

And I'd been through it all too many times;

I was tired of telling stories.

#15

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A Little Learning

by Alexander Pope

‘A Little Learning’ by Alexander Pope reflects on the dangers of superficial knowledge, urging deep understanding for true enlightenment.

This poem navigates the topic of exploration through the metaphorical journey of learning. The poem portrays individuals venturing into the realm of knowledge with youthful enthusiasm and courage, eager to explore new heights of understanding. Through vivid imagery of climbing mountains and traversing vast landscapes, Pope underscores the adventurous spirit inherent in the pursuit of knowledge.

A little learning is a dangerous thing ;

Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring :

There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,

And drinking largely sobers us again.

15+ Must-Read Exploration Poems

(15 to start, 40+ to explore)

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15+ Must-Read Exploration Poems

(15 to start, 40+ to explore)

by Helen Hunt Jackson

by Philip Larkin

by John Keats

by Robert Louis Stevenson

by Walt Whitman

by Marilyn Nelson

by Geoffrey Chaucer

by Li Bai

by Walt Whitman

by Gertrude Stein

by Louise Glück

by Ted Hughes

by Carl Phillips

by Louise Glück

by Alexander Pope

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