WSC 2026- Poems

We Real Cool

A poem by Gwendolyn Brooks that explores the lives and attitudes of young people who engage in risky behavior.

In Mrs. Tilscher's Class

A poem by Carol Ann Duffy that reflects on childhood experiences and the transition from innocence to awareness.

Let Me Begin Again

A poem by Major Jackson that expresses a desire for renewal and the chance to start over.

A stone I died

A poem by Rumi that conveys themes of love, loss, and the transformative power of spiritual experiences.

Death Be Not Proud

A poem by John Donne that personifies death and argues against its power over humanity.

Ulysses

A poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson that reflects on the themes of adventure, aging, and the quest for knowledge.

Because I could not stop for Death

A poem by Emily Dickinson that personifies death and explores the journey of life and the inevitability of death.

Gitanjali 95

A poem by Rabindranath Tagore that expresses a deep spiritual connection and longing for the divine.

Please Call Me by My True Names

A poem by Thich Nhat Hanh that emphasizes the importance of understanding and compassion in human relationships.

The New Colossus

A poem by Emma Lazarus that describes the Statue of Liberty as a welcoming symbol for immigrants.

Prospective Immigrants Please Note

A poem by Adrienne Rich that addresses the challenges and realities faced by immigrants.

We Are Americans Now, We Live in the Tundra

A poem by Marilyn Chin that explores identity and belonging in the context of cultural heritage.

The Sound of One Immigrant Clapping

A poem by Adrian Castro that reflects on the immigrant experience and the search for acceptance.

Mother Country

A poem by Richard Blanco that discusses themes of identity, belonging, and the immigrant experience in America.

Travelling Again

A poem by Du Fu that reflects on the themes of journey and the passage of time.

Sonnet 50

A poem by William Shakespeare that explores themes of love, longing, and the pain of separation.

Sea Fever

A poem by John Masefield that expresses a deep yearning for the sea and the freedom it represents.

Window

A poem by Carl Sandburg that reflects on the perspective of life and the passage of time.

The Road Not Taken

A poem by Robert Frost that explores choices and their impact on life's journey.

Sailing to Byzantium

A poem by W. B. Yeats that reflects on aging, art, and the search for eternal beauty.

The Journey

A poem by Rüştü Onur that explores the theme of personal growth and self-discovery.

This Only

A poem by Czesław Miłosz that reflects on the nature of existence and the essence of life.

Just Drive

A poem by Richard Russo that captures the simplicity and complexity of everyday moments.

Vacation

A poem by Rita Dove that reflects on the themes of leisure, escape, and the beauty of nature.

Keeping Still

A poem by Pablo Neruda that emphasizes the importance of stillness and reflection in a chaotic world.