15+ Must-Read American Poems

(15 to start, 1000+ to explore)

American poetry has had a significant impact on the literary landscape not only in the United States but also worldwide. American poets have been influential in shaping poetry as a form of expression and have contributed to the development of modernism and postmodernism.

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Walt Whitman, known as the “father of free verse,” is considered one of the most important American poets. His collection, “Leaves of Grass,” challenged traditional forms of poetry and explored themes of democracy, individualism, and sexuality. Emily Dickinson, another influential American poet, is known for her distinctive style and exploration of themes such as death, immortality, and nature.

The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 30s also had a profound impact on American poetry. Poets such as Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, and Claude McKay explored themes of race, identity, and the African American experience in their works.

Contemporary American poets such as Sylvia Plath, Allen Ginsberg, and Robert Frost have continued to shape the literary landscape with their unique styles and exploration of a variety of themes. American poetry remains a vibrant and influential art form, inspiring and challenging readers and writers alike.

Poem Explorer Poetry Archives

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Because I could not stop for Death

by Emily Dickinson

‘Because I could not stop for death,’ Dickinson’s best-known poem, is a depiction of one speaker’s journey into the afterlife with personified “Death” leading the way.

This is an incredibly important American poem and is often cited as one of the best American poems of all time. It is a significant contribution to American literature and culture. It is widely taught in schools and universities and has been the subject of countless literary analyses and interpretations. Its popularity and influence have helped to cement Dickinson's place in the canon of American poets.

Because I could not stop for Death –

He kindly stopped for me –

The Carriage held but just Ourselves –

And Immortality.

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The Raven

by Edgar Allan Poe

‘The Raven’ by Edgar Allan Poe presents an eerie raven who incessantly knocks over the speaker’s door and says only one word – “Nevermore.”

This is a prime example of American poetry, reflecting the unique perspective of American writers during the 19th century. Poe's unique style and themes challenged traditional views of poetry, influencing the development of modernist poetry in the early 20th century. His exploration of the macabre and supernatural, as well as his introspective and romantic themes, has cemented his place as one of America's most influential poets.

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,

Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—

While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,

As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.

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O Captain! My Captain!

by Walt Whitman

Saddened by the results of the American civil war, Walt Whitman wrote the elegy, ‘O Captain! My Captain!’ in memory of deceased American President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. The civil war occurred during his lifetime with Whitman a staunch supporter of unionists.

Whitman is considered one of the most important American poets, and 'O Captain! My Captain!' is one of his most well-known poems. The poem celebrates American history and the sacrifices made by its leaders while also expressing the pain and sadness felt at the loss of a great president. Whitman's use of free verse and his celebration of everyday life helped to establish a new form of American poetry.

O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,

The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won,

The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,

While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;

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Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

by Robert Frost

Robert Frost penned this poem, ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’ in 1922, subsequently published with his long poem, ‘New Hampshire.’

Frost is known for his quintessentially American poetry, which often reflects the rugged and independent spirit of the American people. 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening' is no exception, with its focus on the individual's journey and decision-making. The poem's introspective and reflective tone also reflects the values of individualism and self-reliance that are often associated with American culture. The speaker's contemplation of death and the unknown aspects of life illustrates the American tendency to confront and face challenges head-on rather than shying away from them.

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

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The Red Wheelbarrow

by William Carlos Williams

‘The Red Wheelbarrow’ by William Carlos Williams is a short modernist poem depicting a red wheelbarrow glazed with rain.

American poetry is a broad and diverse tradition, but Williams is widely regarded as one of its most important figures. His focus on the everyday and his use of free verse helped to revolutionize poetry in the 20th century, inspiring generations of poets to come. "The Red Wheelbarrow" is a testament to Williams' influence on American poetry and his lasting legacy as a poet of the ordinary and the everyday.

so much depends

upon

a red wheel

barrow

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Howl

by Allen Ginsberg

‘Howl’ is Allen Ginsberg’s best-known poem and is commonly considered his greatest work. It is an indictment of modern society and a celebration of anyone living outside it.

This poem is a quintessentially American piece of verse, both in terms of its subject matter and its style. The poem reflects the counterculture of the Beat Generation, a movement that emerged in the United States in the 1950s and rejected mainstream American culture and values. The poem critiques the conformism and consumerism of American society, as well as the dehumanizing effects of industrialization. He also celebrates the individuality, creativity, and freedom that he sees as essential to the American spirit.

I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked,

dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix,

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Fathers and Daughters

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Daddy

by Sylvia Plath

‘Daddy’ by Sylvia Plath uses emotional, and sometimes, painful metaphors to depict the poet’s opinion of her father and other men in her life.

The poem is widely regarded as one of the most significant and influential poems of 20th-century American poetry, and it has profoundly impacted the world of poetry and literature. It was published in 1965, shortly after Plath's death by suicide, and is known for its powerful imagery and use of personal experience to explore broader themes of trauma, identity, and the complex relationships between fathers and daughters.

You do not do, you do not do

Any more, black shoe

In which I have lived like a foot

For thirty years, poor and white,

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Night Sweat

by Robert Lowell

Lowell’s ‘Night Sweat’ portrays his struggle with writer’s block and profound distress, finding solace in his wife’s comforting presence.

Best regarded as one of America’s popular poets, Robert Lowell penned down ‘Night Sweat’ in the 1960s. The poem first appeared in Lowell’s For the Union Dead (1964). This piece is about the poet’s episodes of night sweats written using clever diction and rhyme.

Work-table, litter, books and standing lamp,

plain things, my stalled equipment, the old broom---

but I am living in a tidied room,

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White Lies

by Natasha Trethewey

‘White Lies’ by Natasha Trethewey is a poetic exploration of racial identity in the American South through three lies a girl tells about being white.

'White Lies' excels among contemporary American poetry for its evocative exploration of racial identity and societal expectations. Trethewey’s use of personal experience to address universal themes sets it apart, capturing the nuanced struggles of racial ambiguity with striking clarity. The poem’s introspective and poignant portrayal of self-deception and identity resonates deeply, showcasing its significance alongside other influential American works in the 21st century.

The lies I could tell,

when I was growing up

light-bright, near-white,

high-yellow, red-boned

#10

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Harlem (A Dream Deferred)

by Langston Hughes

‘Harlem (A Dream Deferred)’ is a powerful poem by Langston Hughes, written in response to the challenges he faced as a black man in a white-dominated world. It questions the fate of deferred dreams among Harlem residents.

Langston Hughes is one of the most important American poets of the 20th century, and his poetry is often cited as a defining example of American literature. 'Harlem (A Dream Deferred)' is a powerful exploration of the African American experience and reflects many of the central themes and concerns of American poetry as a whole.

Does it dry up

like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore—

And then run?

#11

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Self-Reliance

by Ralph Waldo Emerson

‘Self-Reliance’ by Ralph Waldo Emerson celebrates individual freedom, trusting inner wisdom, and finding God within, rejecting societal expectations.

Emerson, a key figure in the American Transcendentalist movement, presents profound ideas with unmatched eloquence. The poem's celebration of individualism and spiritual connection, expressed through vibrant metaphors and vivid imagery, distinguishes it. Emerson's clarity and insight set this poem apart, making it an enduring masterpiece. In comparison to other American poems, its timeless themes and articulate expression solidify its significance in the canon of American literature.

Henceforth, please God, forever I forego

The yoke of men’s opinions. I will be

Light-hearted as a bird, and live with God.

I find him in the bottom of my heart,

#12

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Still I Rise

by Maya Angelou

‘Still I Rise’ is an inspiring and emotional poem that’s based around Maya Angelou’s experiences as a Black woman in America. It encourages readers to love themselves fully and persevere in the face of every hardship.

Maya Angelou is a key figure in American poetry, with her works often speaking to the unique struggles and experiences of being Black in America. This poem is no different. It is commonly regarded as one of the best poems of the 20th century. The poem was first published in her 1978 book, "And Still I Rise." Through its repetition of the phrase "I rise" and its use of vivid imagery, the poem celebrates the strength and courage of the human spirit, particularly that of Black women who have faced discrimination and oppression throughout history.

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.

#13

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The Road Not Taken

by Robert Frost

Robert Frost’s ‘The Road Not Taken’ explores life’s choices, opportunities, and the ensuing lingering regret of untaken paths.

One of America's most famous poems, 'The Road Not Taken,' is undeniably American. It was published first in the American magazine 'Atlantic Monthly' in 1915 and later included in Robert Frost's poetry collection, 'Mountain Interval,' which was also published in the United States. While not aligning with specific poetic movements, Frost became renowned for his distinctly American voice while resonating deeply with readers worldwide. As one of America's most celebrated poems, the poem enriches and popularizes American literature by capturing universal human experiences, solidifying Frost among America's well-known poets.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

#14

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In Memory of the Utah Stars

by William Matthews

‘In Memory of the Utah Stars’ captures the manner in which memories can provide us with both pleasure and pain.

The poem is very concerned with America, specifically the state of Utah but it speaks to the nation more broadly due to its focus on one of America's most beloved sports.

Each of them must have terrified

his parents by being so big, obsessive

and exact so young, already gone

and leaving, like a big tipper,

#15

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The Layers

by Stanley Kunitz

‘The Layers’ by Kunitz explores acceptance and growth through life’s changes, employing striking imagery to reflect on personal evolution.

‘The Layers’ is one of the most touching and meaningful poems of American literature in representing the process of personal development. Its contemplative mood and clear description puts it in the league of other great American poets such as Robert Frost and Elizabeth Bishop. The author’s skill in combining personal reflection with the general ideas of loss and change is the key factor that makes this poem an interesting and valuable piece of American literature.

I have walked through many lives,

some of them my own,

and I am not who I was,

though some principle of being

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15+ Must-Read American Poems

(15 to start, 1000+ to explore)

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15+ Must-Read American Poems

(15 to start, 1000+ to explore)

by Emily Dickinson

by Edgar Allan Poe

by Walt Whitman

by Robert Frost

by William Carlos Williams

by Allen Ginsberg

by Sylvia Plath

by Robert Lowell

by Natasha Trethewey

by Langston Hughes

by Ralph Waldo Emerson

by Maya Angelou

by Robert Frost

by William Matthews

by Stanley Kunitz

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