Poetry
Read Poetry Classics in English
1,997 poetry books at CEFR A2 to C2 — learn English by reading the stories worth reading. Select any word for an instant translation, listen to the narration read the page aloud, and save the vocabulary you meet. Pick your level and start with a free sample.
What are the best poetry classics to read in English as a learner?
The best poetry classics for English learners are the well-known titles you can read in the original — start with The Milkmaid: R. Caldecott's Picture Books, The Military Adventures of Johnny Newcome: With an Account of his Campaign on the Peninsula and in Pall Mall and The Middle English Poem, Erthe Upon Erthe. Each one is labelled with a CEFR level, any word you do not know is one selection away from a translation, and the narration reads the page aloud while it highlights the words.
- 1,997
- books
Level C1PoetryPoem OutlinesDelve into the restless mind of a poet capturing fleeting sparks of inspiration—fragmented visions, raw emotions, and profound reflections that reveal the elusive essence of creati…
Level C1HistoricalPocahontas: A PoemAmid the vibrant life of a Native American village, a fearless princess named Matoax—better known as Pocahontas—rules the hearts and wilds of her land.
Level B2PoetryPlish and PlumTwo mischievous dogs, Plish and Plum, turn a quiet summer day upside down with playful chaos, from daring rescues to garden raids, testing the patience of the Fittig family and the…
Level C1PoetryPlet: A Christmas Tale of the WasatchOn a harsh Christmas Eve in the Wasatch Mountains, two aging bachelors face a tragic snow-slide that claims lives and stirs deep memories of love and loss.
Level A2PoetryPleasing Poetry and Pictures: For the Mind and the EyeDelight in charming poems paired with vivid illustrations that teach young readers lessons on kindness, industry, and respect for nature.
Level C1PoetryPlays and LyricsIn a moonlit Cypriot castle, intertwined destinies unfold amid Gothic and Saracenic shadows, where secrets, power, and passion collide.
Level C1PoetryPlayful PoemsDiscover a lively collection of modernized medieval and classic poems, from Chaucer's tales to Burns's spirited verses, blending timeless wit and humor with accessible language tha…
Level C1PoetryPlantation echoesExperience the vibrant rhythms and heartfelt stories of plantation life through original poems that capture the wisdom, humor, and spirit of African American culture in authentic d…
Level B2PoetryPlain JaneA studious and well-mannered girl hopes to reform her mischievous cousin during a visit filled with playful clashes and gentle lessons in good behavior.
Level C2PoetryPipes O'Pan at ZekesburyIn the quiet town of Zekesbury, everyday life is stirred by curious characters, quirky events, and a mysterious phrenology lecture that reveals more than just skull shapes.
Level C1PoetryPine Tree Ballads: Rhymed Stories of Unplaned Human Natur' up in MaineExplore the rugged lives and heartfelt stories of Maine’s hardy folk, where blistered hands and sharp wit meet homespun humor and deep community bonds in vivid rhymed ballads drawn…
Level C1PoetryPinafore PalaceEnter a whimsical world where every child is a little prince or princess, and nursery rhymes become royal decrees filled with humor and delight.
Level C1PoetryPike County Ballads and Other PoemsVivid ballads and poems capture the rugged spirit and stories of Pike County, blending frontier life with themes of freedom and loyalty.
Level B2PoetryPieces People Ask For: Serious, Humorous, Pathetic, Patriotic, and Dramatic Selections in Prose and Poetry for Reading and RecitationsA rugged wanderer, haunted by memories and yearning for home, finds solace in a fading light that brings visions of his past and a final, heartfelt prayer.
Level C1PoetryPhilosophiesAmidst the struggle against malaria in colonial India, a mind wrestles with the decay of ancient civilizations and the clash between superstition and science, seeking hope in reaso…
Level B2PoetryPhebe, the Blackberry GirlA poor girl sells blackberries to buy clothes and dreams of going to church, but hardship and kindness intertwine when a stranger’s generosity offers hope.
Level C2HistoricalPharsalia; Dramatic Episodes of the Civil WarsAmidst the shattered streets and abandoned fields of Rome, rival armies of kin clash in a brutal civil war that threatens to tear an empire apart.
Level B2FantasyPhantasmagoria and Other PoemsOn a cold winter night, a shy little ghost unexpectedly appears, ready to share the curious etiquette of haunting and the unseen world of spectres, phantoms, and goblins that dwell…
Level B2AdventurePhaeton Rogers: A Novel of Boy LifeThree adventurous boys set out on a thrilling morning ride through the countryside, facing wild dogs and learning the ropes of horseback riding.
Level B2PoetryPetunia blossoms: Ballads and poemsJourney back to April 1865 aboard a slow sailing vessel trapped among towering icebergs in the North Atlantic, where memories of hardship and hope unfold through vivid ballads and…
Level A2PoetryPeter Pry's Puppet Show: Part the II.Step into a whimsical world where poetry dances between work and play, inviting readers to explore timeless rhythms through playful verses and charming puppetry.
PoetryPeter Prim's Profitable Present: To the little misses and masters of the United StatesDelve into a charming collection of playful verses crafted for young readers, where simple numbers and colorful imagery dance together to spark imagination and delight across the U…
Level C2PoetryPeter Bell the ThirdA tale unfolds around Peter Bell, a man marked by profound dullness and transformation, navigating a world where the boundaries between the earthly and the infernal blur.
Level B2PoetryPerverted Proverbs: A Manual of Immorals for the ManyWitty and irreverent verses twist familiar proverbs into sharp, humorous insights on human folly and vice.
Level C1PoetryPersonal Poems, Complete: Volume IV of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierExplore heartfelt reflections and solemn tributes woven into poems that mourn loss, celebrate friendship, and honor enduring human kindness, capturing the intimate emotions and ste…
Level C1PoetryPersonal Poems II: Part 2 from Volume IV of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierEmbodying sacrifice and heroism, these poems honor individuals who face injustice and fight for freedom, weaving personal courage into a broader struggle for humanity and truth.
Level C1PoetryPersonal Poems I: Part 1 from Volume IV of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierExplore a collection of deeply personal poems weaving themes of friendship, loss, hope, and remembrance, capturing heartfelt tributes and reflections on human kindness and sorrow.
Level C2PoetryPerpetual Light : a memorialHaunted by love and loss, a man reflects on a beloved companion whose spirit illuminates his darkest hours, weaving a poignant memorial through heartfelt verse and spiritual intros…
Level C1PoetryPepper & Salt; or, Seasoning for Young FolkA whimsical jester invites young readers to find joy and laughter amid life’s hardships through playful stories and moral poems, blending humor with gentle wisdom to season everyda…
Level C1PoetryPennsylvania Pilgrim, and other poems: Part 6 From Volume I of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierExplore the journey of German Pietists led by Francis Daniel Pastorius as they establish a harmonious settlement in Pennsylvania, blending faith, culture, and early advocacy agains…
Level C1PoetryPastoral Poems by Nicholas Breton, Selected Poetry by George Wither, and Pastoral Poetry by William Browne (of Tavistock)Immerse yourself in the tender world of pastoral poetry, where love, nature, and rustic joys intertwine through the heartfelt verses of Breton, Wither, and Browne, capturing the se…
Level C1RomanceParzival: A Knightly Epic (vol. 2 of 2)Gawain embarks on perilous quests filled with enchantments, fierce battles, and complex alliances, weaving through castles and courts where love, honor, and magic collide in a rich…
Level C1RomanceParzival: A Knightly Epic (vol. 1 of 2)A young knight embarks on a spiritual and chivalric quest to find the Holy Grail, facing trials that test his honor, faith, and courage in a richly woven Arthurian world.
Level C1PoetryParodies of the works of English & American authors, vol. IVDive into a witty collection of parodies that cleverly lampoon beloved English and American ballads, songs, and odes, revealing the humor and homage behind each playful imitation o…
Level C2HistoricalParadise RegainedA divine battle unfolds as the Son of God faces the Tempter's cunning in the wilderness, testing obedience and faith to reclaim paradise lost by one man's disobedience.
Level C2HistoricalParadise LostIn a cosmic battle between Heaven and Hell, fallen angels plot eternal war after their fiery exile, while mankind’s first disobedience sets the stage for a profound struggle over f…
Level C1PoetryPapers from Overlook-HouseAmidst the solemn beauty of an ancient church and the quiet of a snow-covered landscape, faded manuscripts reveal stories of enduring friendship, mystery, and timeless reflections,…
Level B2PoetryPansy's Sunday BookTwo childhood friends, Robert and Claire, explore their differing views on circuses during a summer by the sea, revealing how upbringing and personal beliefs shape their experience…
Level C2PoetryPan and Æolus: PoemsExplore a vivid collection of poems that weave together elemental forces, mythic figures, and human experience, from the haunting hymn of tomb builders to the fierce voices of eart…
Level C1HistoricalPan Tadeusz; or, The last foray in Lithuania: a story of life among Polish gentlefolk in the years 1811 and 1812Amidst the fading world of Polish nobility in 1811-1812 Lithuania, rival families and old customs clash in a richly detailed saga of honor, love, and national identity.
Level C1PoetryPamphlets and Parodies on Political SubjectsSatirical verses expose the corruption and unrest plaguing a nation, revealing the tangled web of power, greed, and oppression beneath the surface of a crumbling state.
Level B2PoetryPages for Laughing EyesDiscover a charming collection of poems and stories that capture the wonder of childhood, the beauty of nature, and the small joys of everyday life, from playful animals to heartfe…
Level C2PoetryOxford Lectures on PoetryExplore the essence of poetry through a series of reflective lectures that delve into its form, experience, and purpose, offering profound insights on poetic art and its timeless i…
Level C2PoetryOutlook OdesSharp-witted odes capture the quirks of public life and politics with biting humor and vivid characters, from weary parliamentarians to jubilant crowds.
Level C1PoetryOut of the NorthExperience the haunting beauty and fierce solitude of the Arctic through evocative poems that capture both the relentless cold and fleeting bursts of life, hope, and laughter benea…![Cover of Our Young Folks at Home and Abroad by Daphne [Editor] Dale](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dabkfqg9638s73a2pnp0.webp)
Level A2PoetryOur Young Folks at Home and AbroadDelight in charming tales and poems that explore friendship, kindness, and adventure through the lives of children and their beloved pets.
Level A2PoetryOur Story Book: Jingles, Stories and Rhymes for Little FolksJoin Wideawake Willy and his friends on playful adventures through seasons of fun and discovery, from cricket matches to exploring faraway places.
Level C1PoetryOur Profession and Other PoemsExplore a heartfelt collection of poems reflecting on nature, love, memory, and the dignity of profession, interwoven with personal stories and legends that reveal beauty and truth…