3 Standout Legend Poems

Legend poetry intertwines historical accounts with elements of fantasy, telling tales of extraordinary events or individuals.

They often portray larger-than-life characters—heroes, saints, mythical creatures—whose deeds embody certain virtues or vices. The genre blurs the line between reality and myth, narrating stories that have been passed down through generations, despite their lack of verifiable evidence.

Through symbolic imagery and engaging narratives, legend poetry underscores moral, cultural, or philosophical truths. It allows societies to reflect on their values and serves as an engaging way to explore human nature and societal norms.

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Mrs Faust

by Carol Ann Duffy

The legend of Faust is retold from the perspective of his wife, who helplessly watches as her husband descends into sin and greed after making a deal with a demon for power.

In this poem, Carol Ann Duffy contributes her interpretation of the legend of Faust to the numerous versions which have been created throughout the centuries. Duffy's take on this poem is a markedly feminist one, as she brings the previously overshadowed wife of Faust into the spotlight of literature. This poem explores how Faust's story affected those around him, including his wife, who is left to deal with the consequences of his actions.

I grew to love lifestyle,

not the life.

He grew to love the kudos,

not the wife.

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Abhisar: The Tryst

by Rabindranath Tagore

‘Abhisar: The Tryst’ is a poem steeped in legend that tells the story of a monk who is still revered in parts of Asia; this is a simple but timeless story of compassion and empathy.

This poem is based on an eleventh-century retelling of an ancient legend about a monk who is still revered in certain parts of Asia. The poem presents a legend in the form of a modern poem and tells a story that has become a part of the culture of certain religious groups in Asia.

Sanyasi Upagupta

Was asleep under the shade of

The city ramparts of Mathura —

A breeze had blown off the lamps and flares.

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Paul Revere’s Ride

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Longfellow’s ‘Paul Revere’s Ride’ (1861) recounts the historic 1775 ride, blending American patriotism with a subtle anti-slavery message.

This poem fits into the genre of legend because it retells a real historical event in a way that turns Paul Revere into a larger-than-life figure. Longfellow adds drama, emotion, and vivid moments that help shape how people remember the story. While based on truth, the poem lifts Revere’s actions into something more symbolic, showing him as a hero whose ride stands for bravery, freedom, and the spirit of early American resistance.

Listen, my children, and you shall hear

Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,

On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-Five:

Hardly a man is now alive

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3 Standout Legend Poems

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3 Standout Legend Poems

Mrs Faust

by Carol Ann Duffy

Abhisar: The Tryst

by Rabindranath Tagore

Paul Revere’s Ride

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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