Life and Death Poetry

To The Virgins To Make Much of Time by

Robert Herrick

To his Coy Mistress by

Andrew Marvell

Funeral Blues by

W.H. Auden

Dulce et Decorum Est by

Wilfred Owen

Anthem for a Doomed Youth

Wilfred Owen

To A Mouse by

Robert Burns

To An Athlete Dying Young by

A. E. Housman

When I Have Fears That I May Cease.. by

John Keats

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by

Dylan Thomas

Ah, Are You Digging On My Grave? by

Thomas Hardy

The Charge of the Light Brigade by

Alfred Lord Tennyson

What is "To the Virgins to Make Much of Time" by Robert Herrick about?

Poem encourages young people to enjoy life and love while they're still young, highlighting how quickly youth fades. It uses the metaphor of flowers that bloom and wither, reminding us to seize the moment before it's gone.

What is "To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell about

a poem where the speaker urges a hesitant woman to embrace love and passion. He starts by praising her beauty and imagining a timeless courtship, but then stresses the urgency of seizing the moment, as life is short. The poem blends themes of love, time, and mortality, encouraging immediate action in love.

What is "Funeral Blues" by W. H. Auden about?

This poem expresses profound grief and loss. The speaker calls for silence and mourning, emphasizing how the death of a loved one has shattered their world. The poem conveys the deep sorrow and emptiness felt in the absence of the beloved, highlighting the intensity of love and the devastation that follows death.

What does "Dulce et Decorum Est” mean?

To die for one’s country

What is "Anthem for a Doomed Youth" by Wilfred Owen about?

a poignant poem that mourns the young soldiers who die in World War I. It contrasts the traditional rituals of mourning with the brutal realities of war, highlighting that these soldiers do not receive proper funerals. Instead of church bells and prayers, their deaths are marked by gunfire and the sounds of battle. The poem captures the sense of loss and the futility of war, emphasizing the tragedy of youth cut short.

What is "To a Mouse" by Robert Burns about?

is about a speaker who accidentally disturbs a mouse's nest while plowing. The poem shows sympathy for the mouse and reflects on how both humans and animals face unexpected hardships. It ends with the idea that even the best plans can fail.

What is "To an Athlete Dying Young" by A. E. Housman about?

is about a young athlete who dies right after achieving fame. It explores how his early death keeps him forever young in memory, highlighting the bittersweet nature of glory and the tragedy of lost potential.

What is "When I Have Fears That I May Cease.." by John Keats about?

expresses the poet's fear of dying before he can fully realize his creative potential. He worries about not having enough time to write and share his thoughts, love, and experiences. The poem captures themes of mortality, the urgency of life, and the desire for legacy, ultimately reflecting on the fleeting nature of existence and the longing to leave a lasting impact through art.

What is "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas about?

this poem is about fighting against death. The speaker urges his father to resist dying and highlights how different types of men struggle against mortality. It’s a powerful call to cherish life and fight until the end.

What is "Ah, Are You Digging On My Grave?" by Thomas Hardy about?

"Ah, Are You Digging On My Grave?" is about a deceased speaker who finds out that the dog at her grave isn't mourning her but is digging for a bone. It highlights themes of love, betrayal, and how quickly people forget after someone dies.

What is "The Charge of the Light Brigade" by Alfred Lord Tennyson about?

This poem depicts the bravery and tragedy of a cavalry charge during the Battle of Balaclava in the Crimean War. The poem highlights the valor of the soldiers as they charge into battle despite knowing the odds are against them. It emphasizes themes of heroism, duty, and the futility of war, ultimately portraying the courage of those who faced certain death.