English Language Poetry That Every Teenager Should Read

Do you ever wonder if reading poetry is worth your time? The verses in poetry are hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. The literary devices, the emotions, and the tone say a lot about what a poet wants to convey. The beauty of a poem is how the poet conveys deep meanings in just a few words. The description of a phase, a situation, a moment so vividly captured by poets.

Careers360 has listed seven poets who created history through their literary power.

Robert Frost

Robert Lee Frost was a distinguished American poet. His poems had a huge impact on the world of English literature."The Road Not Taken" is one of Robert Frost's most famous poems, published in 1916. It tells the story of a traveller who while travelling through woods comes across a fork. The fork lays a choice in front of the traveller as to which path to choose.

This poem should be read by every child while growing up. It teaches that every decision in our life has its consequences. But it is not always necessary to follow the path that everyone takes. Taking a path which is not mainstream is challenging, but yet will be satisfactory.

Frost's expertise in American colloquial speech gave his poetry a distinctive and relatable quality.

John Keats

Keats had a unique way of writing that focused on the senses. His poems were like a journey through sights, sounds, and feelings. He is known for a series of poems called “odes” that celebrate a person, thing or event. With Odes, one of his famous poems is “A Thing of Beauty Is A Joy Forever”.

This poem teaches us that if a thing or person is valuable or beautiful to us it will never lose its charm. We will always appreciate its existence in life. In the poem, the poet tells the reader to appreciate the gifts of nature. The sun, the moon, the rivers and the trees are a blessing for human beings and should never be taken for granted. The poet tells the reader that these gifts give us a reason to thrive.

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was an English playwright and poet who lived in the late 16 and early 17 centuries. One of the greatest writers in the English language,Shakespeare's literary style is known for its use of vivid language, memorable characters, and exploration of complex human emotions.

Shakespeare's "The Seven Ages" reminds us that life is a journey with seven different stages. It begins with infancy and ends at old age. Each stage has its lessons and experiences. The poem encourages the reader to appreciate each moment during the phases. These stages are temporary and no one will get a second chance to experience it again.

Shakespeare uses narrative and metaphorical phrases in this poem. The poem begins with the world compared to a stage and human beings as puppets.

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PB Shelley

Percy Bysshe Shelley was a renowned British romantic poet. His writing style involved a lot of metaphors and visual imagery. In one of his famous works "Ode to the West Wind" Shelley uses a lot of literary devices such as personification and alliteration. The poet in this poem has a conversation with the wind as if it were a human being.

He compares the powerful west wind to changes in life. The poet feels that the force of the wind can bring out major changes on the planet. Similarly, he wants to bring reform to society. The poem beautifully captures the cycle of life and death. He mentions that after autumn, spring is bound to come. Similarly after a dark phase, after the end, a new beginning will come.

Sarojini Naidu

Sarojini Naidu was referred to as the "Nightingale of India” because of the visual imagery and lyrical quality of her poems. The poems she wrote in English followed a style similar to British romantic poetry. This sometimes clashed with her strong Indian nationalist beliefs. Her poetry was known for its vivid use of descriptive images, especially when she talked about India.

"The Palanquin Bearers" is a beautiful poem that describes the rhythmic journey of bearers carrying a palanquin. The journey of carrying the weight of a palanquin is not easy. But teamwork, harmony, and the joy of working together towards a common goal can make it easier. The poem also celebrates the beauty of Indian culture and traditions.

Vikram Seth

Vikram Seth is a contemporary Indian author known for his witty and insightful writing."The Frog and the Nightingale" is a thought-provoking poem that tells the story of a cacophonous frog and melodious nightingale. This poem teaches us about the dangers of manipulation and the importance of staying true to one's own talents. In the poem, the self-obsessed frog convinces the bird that she needs to practise for longer hours.

The frog despite of hoarse voice seems to think higher of himself. And the nightingale misunderstood him as her guide. She failed to understand the frog’s true intentions. The poem has a sad ending with the nightingale losing her life because of over-practise. This poem teaches the reader to value their authenticity.

Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore was a versatile artist with being a poet, author, composer, playwright, and painter. He was also a social reformer and envisioned a free India. The Noble Laureate wrote “Chitto Jetha Bhayshunyo” or “No Fear” before the independence of India as the vision that no country should live in constant fear.

In his poem, Tagore wishes for a nation where people can freely think and express themselves. He dreams of a united and prejudice-free land where everyone, regardless of background, can access knowledge and speak honestly. He imagines a forward-thinking and open-minded nation with a global perspective, ready to fulfil human aspirations and achieve true independence and prosperity.

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