Watermelon

4 Must-Read Poems about Watermelon

Poems about watermelons often explore themes of summer, vitality, and cultural symbolism. They may evoke imagery of refreshment and abundance, representing both joy and simplicity. In some contexts, watermelons can carry deeper cultural or social meanings, offering metaphors for identity, community, and heritage, blending sensory and symbolic layers.

Nationality:
Emotions:
Form:
"> 25/100

Through the Inner City to the Suburbs

by Maya Angelou

โ€˜Through the Inner City to the Suburbsโ€™ by Maya Angelou is a poem about the differences between the inner city and the suburbs and how one is far superior to the other.ย 

This poem metaphorically connects watermelons to people and experiences in the inner city, using watermelon seeds to symbolize the scattering of people in a summer setting. The โ€œgrinningโ€ figures and โ€œjuicy secretsโ€ evoke associations with watermelonsโ€™ cultural and symbolic resonance, particularly tied to summer, vitality, and racial stereotypes. However, the poemโ€™s central focus is more on social commentary and urban life than directly about watermelons.

Secured by sooted windows

And amazement, it is

Delicious. Frosting, filched

From a company cake.

#2
PDF Guide
20
"> 20/100

Blood

by Naomi Shihab Nye

โ€˜Bloodโ€™ explores a Palestinian-American’s identity struggle, blending childhood memories with a quest for belonging amid conflict.

In this poem, watermelons are mentioned briefly as part of a broader reflection on identity, heritage, and culture. The reference to watermelons healing โ€œfifty waysโ€ is symbolic of tradition and the simple wisdom passed down through generations. While watermelons are not the central theme, they serve as a small, meaningful detail in the speakerโ€™s exploration of being Arab, personal identity, and the weight of political conflict.

โ€œA true Arab knows how to catch a fly in his hands,โ€

my father would say. And heโ€™d prove it,

cupping the buzzer instantly

while the host with the swatter stared.

#3
PDF Guide
Nationality: American
Form: List Poem
Genre: Humor
"> 15/100

Bleezer’s Ice Cream

by Jack Prelutsky

Have you ever gone to an ice cream store selling twenty-eight different flavors of literally everything? Youโ€™ll be doing yourself a favor by visiting BLEEZER’S ICE CREAM STORE.

In this playful poem by Jack Prelutsky, the mention of watermelon comes as one of the many fantastical ice cream flavors in Ebenezer Bleezerโ€™s shop. The poem focuses on the absurdity of combining unusual flavors, with โ€œWatermelon Waffle Wheatโ€ being just one in the long list. While watermelons are referenced, they are not central to the poem, which is more about whimsy and creative wordplay.

I am Ebenezer Bleezer,

I run BLEEZERโ€™S ICE CREAM STORE,

there are flavors in my freezer

you have never seen before,

#4

Zone

by Guillaume Apollinaire

‘Zone’ by Guillaume Apollinaire describes a dream-like walk through Paris that spans an entire day, from sunup to sunup.

Behold the tree forever tufted with prayer

Behold the double gallows honor and eternity

Behold the six-pointed star

Access Poetry PDF Guides
for this Poem

Complete Poetry PDF Guide

Perfect Offline Resource

Covers Everything You Need to Know

One-pager 'snapshot' PDF

Great Offline Resource

Gateway to deeper understanding

870+ Reviews

Close the CTA