Poetry
Read Poetry Classics in English
2,602 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 Ægle and the elf, a fantasy, Zophiel and Zephyrs. 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.
- 2,602
- books
PoetrySnowflakesDelicate verses capture the fleeting beauty of snowflakes, the changing seasons, and tender moments of everyday life, weaving nature’s grace with heartfelt reflections in a lyrical…
Level C1PoetrySnow-Bound: A Winter IdyllTrapped by a fierce winter storm, a family finds warmth and wonder within their snow-blanketed farmhouse, as nature’s icy grip transforms the familiar into a magical, silent world…
Level C1PoetrySnow Bound, and other poems: Part 4 From Volume II of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierTrapped by a relentless winter storm, a family retreats indoors where flickering fires and shared stories weave a cozy refuge from the blizzard outside, blending rustic life with h…
Level B2PoetrySmall Means and Great EndsA young girl’s yearning to be rich turns to compassion as she encounters a struggling family, learning how small acts of kindness can bring great blessings and inspire hope amidst…
Level C1PoetrySketches of Southern lifeA young prince inherits riches and must choose between the seductive allure of Pleasure, the promise of Wealth, or the serene path of Peace accompanied by Self-Denial.
Level C1PoetrySketches in Verse: respectfully addressed to the Norfolk YeomenryDive into vivid scenes of the bustling Norwich Corn Mart, where merchants and farmers negotiate grain prices with keen wit, and hear the heartfelt farewell of a man sentenced to fo…
Level C1PoetrySketchesJourney through reflective poems and sketches inspired by college days, exploring biblical stories, nature’s quiet moments, and heartfelt personal reflections that capture youthful…
Level C1PoetrySixteen PoemsExplore a collection of sixteen carefully chosen poems that weave reflections on nature, memory, and the passage of time, each crafted with lyrical grace and deep emotion.
Level C1PoetrySix Centuries of English Poetry: Tennyson to ChaucerExplore the rich evolution of English poetry from its medieval roots through the vibrant works of Chaucer and beyond, revealing the language's transformation and the emergence of t…
Level C2PoetrySister Songs: An Offering to Two SistersAmid the vibrant stirrings of spring, a poet’s heart leaps with the season’s awakening, weaving song and nature’s beauty into an offering of love and praise for two cherished siste…
PoetrySir P.S.: His Astrophel and Stella: Wherein the excellence of sweete poesie is concludedDive into a passionate sequence of sonnets exploring love, desire, and poetic beauty, where heartfelt verses reveal the timeless pursuit of affection and artistic expression.
Level C1RomanceSir Gawayne and the Green Knight: An Alliterative Romance-Poem (c. 1360 A.D.)At King Arthur’s Christmas feast, a towering Green Knight arrives unannounced, challenging the greatest of knights to a strange and perilous game.
Level C1HistoricalSir Copp: A poem for the times, in six cantosIn a vivid poetic drama, a traitorous figure dubbed "Sir Copp" embodies betrayal during a nation's darkest rebellion, while loyal patriots fight to restore liberty and honor.
Level B1PoetrySing-songDelight in a charming collection of whimsical nursery rhymes and gentle poems, each evoking tender moments, nature’s wonders, and childhood innocence through vivid imagery and soot…
PoetrySimple Simon: Silhouette SeriesExplore whimsical verses that capture the charm and simplicity of everyday moments, inviting readers into a world where poetry paints vivid silhouettes of life’s gentle rhythms.
Level B2PoetrySimple Poems for Infant MindsDelight in gentle poems that spark the imagination of little ones, exploring simple wonders like sailboats, dolls, birds, and ants through tender verses crafted for infant minds.
Level C2PoetrySilverpointsDelve into a lush garden of delicate imagery and intimate reflections, where love, nature, and longing intertwine in evocative poems that capture fleeting beauty and the yearning o…
Level B2PoetrySilver liningsDiscover a world of hope, joy, and resilience through heartfelt poems that celebrate life's simple beauties, the courage to embrace one's unique gifts, and the strength to face eac…
Level C1PoetrySilken threadsDelve into a heartfelt collection of poems that weave everyday moments, tender prayers, and humble wisdom into a tapestry of life's simple beauty and grace.
Level C1PoetrySilhouettesExplore the delicate allure of urban life through evocative verses that celebrate fleeting sensations and artificial beauty, challenging traditional notions of nature and art with…
Level C2PoetrySignelil, A Tale from the Cornish, and Other BalladsA handmaid’s sorrow unfolds as forbidden love and broken vows weave through secret gifts and whispered promises.
Level C1PoetryShylock reasons with Mr. Chesterton, and other poemsExplore a vivid collection of poems weaving historical figures, personal reflections, and poignant scenes—from Shylock’s debate to the struggles of Viennese wood collectors—offerin…
Level C2PoetryShort FlightsImmerse yourself in a rich tapestry of emotions and reflections as vivid poems explore love, loss, friendship, and the seasons of life.
Level B1PoetryShining HoursStep into a world where childhood imagination and simple wonders come alive—from a little girl’s loyal love for her old doll to a curious cat’s baffling encounter with a mysterious…
Level B2PoetryShellsExplore heartfelt reflections and vivid emotions through poems that capture life’s joys, sorrows, and the quiet moments in between, weaving music and meaning from everyday experien…
Level C2PoetryShapes of ClayA sharp and personal collection of verses and reflections that challenge society and its figures with biting satire and candid critique, daring to preserve provocative truths befor…
PoetryShapes and ShadowsExplore a collection of evocative poems that delve into themes of nature, memory, love, and time, painting vivid shapes and shadows of human experience through lyrical verse.
Level C1HistoricalShakespeare's treatment of love & marriage, and other essaysExplore the intricate interplay of love, marriage, and poetic imagination in Shakespeare’s works, as this collection delves into how his personal beliefs and social ideals shape hi…
Level C2PoetryShakespeare's SonnetsExplore the timeless meditation on beauty, love, and legacy as these sonnets urge a beloved to embrace life, procreate, and defy the ravages of time through immortal verse and hear…
Level C1PoetryShadowingsA young samurai, ruined and regretful, returns to Kyoto to seek forgiveness from the wife he divorced in folly.
Level C1PoetrySevern & SommeAmid the thunder of war, a soldier-poet captures the haunting beauty of Gloucestershire and the raw pain of the trenches, weaving personal reflections with vivid landscapes and hea…
Level C2PoetrySeven Poems and a FragmentOn All Souls’ Night, a narrator summons memories of friends and ghosts whose passions and philosophies intertwine with the supernatural, exploring love, loss, and the quest for pro…
Level C1PoetrySeven Minor Epics of the English Renaissance (1596-1624)Explore seven rare minor epics from the English Renaissance, featuring elusive authors and intriguing tales of love and myth, reproduced faithfully from their earliest editions for…
Level C1HistoricalServian Popular PoetryExplore the rich history and soul of Servia through its vibrant popular poetry, capturing tales of ancient kingdoms, legendary battles, and the enduring spirit of a people shaped b…
Level C1PoetrySelections from the Poems and Plays of Robert BrowningExplore the vivid early world of a young poet shaped by a nurturing home filled with art, music, and nature.
Level C1PoetrySelections from Wordsworth and TennysonIn a remote valley, an aging shepherd named Michael embodies a life of quiet strength, deep connection to nature, and enduring family bonds.
Level C1FantasySelections from PoeDive into a world where haunting poems and eerie tales reveal the troubled genius of a solitary dreamer, exploring themes of death, mystery, and the macabre through unforgettable v…
Level B2PoetrySelections from Five English PoetsExplore the rich melodies and moods of English poetry through stirring lyrics, epic tales, and reflective verse by five master poets, revealing how rhythm and story intertwine to a…
Level C2PoetrySelections from Early Middle English, 1130-1250. Part 1: TextsExplore the linguistic and poetic heritage of early Middle English through carefully selected texts from 1130 to 1250, featuring original manuscripts and rare characters that illum…
Level C1PoetrySelections from American poetry, with special reference to Poe, Longfellow, Lowell and WhittierExplore the evolution of American poetry from Puritan austerity to the vibrant voices of Poe, Longfellow, Lowell, and Whittier, capturing the nation’s spirit through nature, histor…
Level C1PoetrySelected Poems of Oscar WildeA haunting reflection on love, guilt, and mortality unfolds through vivid verses that reveal the tragic fate of a man condemned for murdering the woman he loved.
Level C1PoetrySelected Poems of Francis ThompsonA poet haunted by fragility and mysticism finds beauty in ordinary moments, weaving celestial visions and personal struggles into golden verses inspired by nature, childhood, and f…
Level C1PoetrySelected Poems (1685-1700)Dive into the fierce world of a fiery Whig journalist who defies tyranny with sharp verses and bold exposés, navigating political intrigue and personal myth-making in a turbulent a…
Level C2PoetrySelected PoemsExperience the poignant reflections on love, life, and mortality as tender verses carry you through moments of joy, loss, and the inexorable passage of time, unfolding a landscape…
Level C1PoetrySelect Poems of Sidney LanierImmerse yourself in vivid reflections on nature, music, and life through poems that weave personal history with lyrical beauty.
Level C1PoetrySelect Epigrams from the Greek AnthologyDive into a rich collection of Greek epigrams, short poetic inscriptions blending history, epitaphs, and ancient tradition, carefully curated from classical sources to capture the…
PoetrySecond Book of VerseDive into a rich collection of poems that journey through tender lullabies, wistful memories, lively scenes, and timeless reflections on love, nature, and everyday life.
Level C2PoetrySecond AprilA restless soul confronts the cycle of spring’s fleeting beauty and the harsh realities of life, seeking meaning amid destruction and renewal.