15+ Significant Poems about Loving Yourself

(15 to start, 20+ to explore)

These empowering poems focus on self-discovery, acceptance, and the journey toward self-love. They encourage readers to embrace their uniqueness, flaws, and strengths, promoting inner healing and growth.

The verses celebrate the importance of self-care, setting boundaries, and acknowledging one’s worth. They inspire individuals to find strength from within and foster a positive relationship with themselves.

Poems about Loving Yourself Visual Representation

Poem Explorer Poetry Archives

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Form:

Genre:

"> 83/100

Phenomenal Woman

by Maya Angelou

‘Phenomenal Woman’ by Maya Angelou defies the stereotypes women are often faced with today. It is a poem filled with strength and determination.

Loving yourself is the ultimate message in this poem: despite being disparaged by other women and questioned by the men who fall to their knees for her, the speaker maintains confidence regardless. This comes from a staunch and self assured sense of loving one's self. Throughout this poem, Angelou encourages women to love themselves and their beauty, in all of their unique glory. She discards the idea of conforming to societal beauty or behavioural standards in favour of embracing one's truest self in all of its beauty.

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size

But when I start to tell them,

They think I’m telling lies.

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Form:

"> 76/100

The Soul selects her own Society

by Emily Dickinson

Dickinson’s ‘The Soul selects her own Society’ depicts a Soul that isolates herself and selectively chooses one companion.

Loving yourself is elegantly depicted through the Soul's unwavering commitment to listening to herself and setting boundaries. By shutting the door on societal expectations, the Soul prioritizes her own worth and well-being over external validation. The Soul's underlying resolute stance against conforming to others' opinions or societal pressures embodies the idea of loving oneself, inspiring readers to embrace their own worth and authenticity without seeking approval from others.

The Soul selects her own Society —

Then — shuts the Door —

To her divine Majority —

Present no more —

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Form:

"> 75/100

Call Letters: Mrs V.B.

by Maya Angelou

‘Call Letters: Mrs V.B.’ by Maya Angelou is a motivational poem that speaks about approach life with confidence and determination.

There is certainly a feeling of loving oneself in this poem. The speaker knows her abilities and feels good about them. She believes she's going to be able to conquer any obstacle that gets in her way.

Ships?

Sure I’ll sail them.

Show me the boat,

PDF Guide

Theme: Nature

Topics:

Body Image

Childhood

Loving Yourself

Genre: Humor

"> 66/100

Be Glad Your Nose Is on Your Face

by Jack Prelutsky

‘Be Glad Your Nose Is on Your Face’ is a childish tale that provides an example of why being grateful for the current state of things can be a grand thing.

The poem also celebrates the uniqueness of parts of the body and their advantages. It entertains the young audience while instilling thankfulness for what nature has given us and sending a message of self-acceptance.

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Form:

Genre:

"> 65/100

Teddy Bear

by A. A. Milne

In ‘Teddy Bear,’ the titular stuffed bear frets about his chubby body. A chance encounter with a plump passerby helps Teddy realize that fat men can still be held in high esteem, giving him newfound confidence about his appearance.

This is a lovely poem about a bear learning to love himself and his body. A chance encounter with a passerby changes his whole outlook by helping him find pride in his appearance.

A bear, however hard he tries,

Grows tubby without exercise.

Our Teddy Bear is short and fat,

Which is not to be wondered at;

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Forms:

"> 63/100

The Biographer

by Carol Ann Duffy

‘The Biographer’ by Carol Ann Duffy is a dramatic monologue that features a biographer speaking to his subject, discussing his feelings, and more.

In this piece, the speaker expresses a disdain for himself. While working on a biography and imagining what the subject would think about him, his opinion of himself has declined significantly. He can't help but find a great deal wrong with himself.

Because you are dead,

I stand at your desk,

my fingers caressing the grooves in the wood

your initials made;

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Form:

"> 55/100

Never Give All The Heart

by William Butler Yeats

“Never Give All The Heart” by William Butler Yeats is a poem written in advice against heartbreak. The poem is urging never to devote yourself completely.

Yeats' cautionary advice indirectly touches on self-preservation and loving oneself. By warning against giving all of one's heart, the poem implies the importance of retaining emotional boundaries and self-respect. It suggests the wisdom in balancing love for others with a love for oneself.

Never give all the heart, for love

Will hardly seem worth thinking of

To passionate women if it seem

Certain, and they never dream

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Form:

Genre:

"> 53/100

Eagle Poem

by Joy Harjo

Have you ever wondered how graciously an eagle floats in the sky by making circular movements? In ‘Eagle Poem,’ Joy Harjo depicts how it is similar to the cycle of life.

The poem gently encourages self-love by guiding readers to connect with their inner self and find peace within. Harjo suggests that by opening up to the world and appreciating life’s simple gifts, we can better understand and care for ourselves. This message of self-acceptance and inner peace implies that true self-love comes from understanding our place within the broader world and appreciating who we are.

To pray you open your whole self

To sky, to earth, to sun, to moon

To one whole voice that is you.

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Form:

Genre:

"> 50/100

Let Them

by Cassie Phillips

‘Let Them’ is a poem in which the poet offers their advice about relationships. They urge the reader to know their value and value others.

There are elements of loving oneself in this poem. The poet believes that people should appreciate themselves and expect to be treated in a certain way. If they are not treated that way then they should be ready to walk away or to let the relationship end. While the poet does not directly mention the idea of the reader loving themselves, it is clear that they believe the reader should appreciate who they are and not allow themselves to be treated poorly.

Just let them.

If they want to choose something or someone over you, LET THEM.

If they want to go weeks without talking to you, LET THEM.

#10

PDF Guide

Be Nobody’s Darling

by Alice Walker

Alice Walker’s ‘Be Nobody’s Darling’ champions individuality, urging us to embrace our unique paths and find strength in standing alone.

Be nobody’s darling;

Be an outcast.

Take the contradictions

Of your life

#11

PDF Guide

Danse Russe

by William Carlos Williams

‘Danse Ruse’ by William Carlos Williams explores self-expression, self-love, self-acceptance, and moments of solitude for happiness.

If I when my wife is sleeping

and the baby and Kathleen

are sleeping

and the sun is a flame-white disc

#12

PDF Guide

Fool’s Money Bags

by Amy Lowell

‘Fool’s Money Bags’ is an interesting poem that touches on love and devotion towards the wrong people and things. Read Amy Lowell’s poem, along with a deep dive analysis.

Outside the long window,

With his head on the stone sill,

The dog is lying,

Gazing at his Beloved.

#13

PDF Guide

Got You

by Jackie Kay

‘Got You’ by Jackie Kay is an interesting poem about sibling jealousy and the strength of sisterhood. The speaker is a discouraged child who believes her sister is superior to her in every way.

You know I am the shy one really, don’t you,

#14

PDF Guide

In the Desert

by Stephen Crane

‘In the Desert’ by Stephen Crane is a popular short poem that presents readers with a strange scenario. The poem speaks on human nature through a disturbing image of self-destruction.

In the desert

I saw a creature, naked, bestial,

Who, squatting upon the ground,

#15

PDF Guide

Is it Still the Same

by Eavan Boland

‘Is it Still the Same’ is a brilliant, affirming poem that explores memory and its relationship to a particular place and time.

young woman who climbs the stairs,

who closes a child's door,

who goes to her table

in a room at the back of a house?

Home » Collection » Poems about Loving Yourself

15+ Significant Poems about Loving Yourself

(15 to start, 20+ to explore)

General

Poetry+

Discover

Useful Links

15+ Significant Poems about Loving Yourself

(15 to start, 20+ to explore)

by Maya Angelou

by Emily Dickinson

by Maya Angelou

by Jack Prelutsky

by A. A. Milne

by Carol Ann Duffy

by William Butler Yeats

by Joy Harjo

by Cassie Phillips

Narrow Your Search

We Look Deep into Poetry

General

Poetry+

Discover

Useful Links