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
Level C1PoetryPoemsStep into a poetic drama unfolding through midnight musings, forest dreams, and intimate dialogues by the river and sea, where characters confront love, solitude, and the passage o…
Level C2PoetryPoemsHaunted by loss and honor, these poignant poems explore the sacrifices of war, the enduring bonds of comradeship, and the quiet struggles of those left behind under the shadow of c…
Level C2PoetryPoemsDive into a world where myth and emotion intertwine through evocative poetry and lyrical drama, capturing the mystical spirit of nature, sacrifice, and the human soul’s yearning fo…
Level C1PoetryPoemsDive into a collection where lyrical poetry captures the essence of life’s fleeting moments, transforming them into timeless reflections on art, nature, and the human spirit.
Level C1PoetryPoemsExplore the wit and warmth of a Nantucket-born poet whose verses blend humor, history, and heartfelt reflection.
Level C2PoetryPoemsDelve into a world where moonlit nights, unspoken desires, and fleeting love intertwine with nature’s gentle rhythms, capturing moments of longing, fear, and tender connection in l…
Level C2PoetryPoemsDive into a collection that weaves dedication, war, love, and faith into evocative poetry, capturing the clash of old doubts and youthful hope amid a world on the brink of change.
Level C1PoetryPoemsA river pilot recounts a haunting tale aboard a Mississippi steamboat, unveiling a gripping story of love, betrayal, and despair amid the lush, drifting landscapes of the South.
Level C1PoetryPoemsExplore a heartfelt collection of poems inspired by nature, faith, and social causes, reflecting the author's spiritual journey and moments of personal insight from childhood to ad…
PoetryPoemsExplore heartfelt reflections and vivid scenes through a rich collection of poems that capture love, nature, patriotism, and everyday life with honest sentiment and musical languag…
Level C2PoetryPoemsImmerse yourself in a world of vivid imagery and heartfelt emotion as night skies, tranquil seas, and distant lands come alive through lyrical verses that explore beauty, memory, a…
Level C2PoetryPoemsImmerse yourself in evocative verses that capture the quiet beauty of nature, the passage of time, and the whispers of memory.
Level C1PoetryPoemsEnchanted by mysterious goblin merchants, two sisters face tempting fruits and hidden dangers by a brookside.
Level C2PoetryPoemsExplore a collection of evocative sonnets and rondeaux that delve into themes of love, loss, faith, and the passage of time, each poem a glimpse into the complexities of the human…
Level C1PoetryPoemsExplore a vivid collection of poems capturing the raw emotions and quiet moments of hospital life, alongside reflections on youth, age, and the fleeting nature of existence.
PoetryPoemsExplore a heartfelt journey through love, loss, hope, and reflection with poems that touch on family bonds, life's challenges, and the promise of peace beyond.
Level C2PoetryPoemsDelve into a world where love and memory intertwine in delicate verse, capturing the haunting beauty of youth and the soulful longing of poets breaking silence.
Level C1PoetryPoemsA nostalgic journey through a quiet village awakens memories that blend joy and melancholy, exploring how the mind connects past and present through vivid scenes, cherished places,…
Level C2PoetryPoemsExplore a rich collection of poems that delve into nature, love, destiny, and the human spirit, blending personal reflections with profound philosophical insights and timeless beau…
Level C1PoetryPoemsDiscover a rich collection of ballads, sonnets, and national poems that evoke Ireland’s spirit, alongside heartfelt translations of Spanish dramas, capturing timeless themes of lov…
Level C2PoetryPoemsA restless poet seeks the elusive secret behind creative inspiration, wandering through seasons, memories, and haunting landscapes.
Level C1PoetryPoemsExplore a journey through the heart’s garden, where fleeting thoughts and silent seasons bloom in delicate sonnets and songs.
Level C2PoetryPoemsFairies embark on a magical voyage from the Emerald Isle to a pristine Caribbean island, where they gather precious gems and flowers for a dazzling moonlit revel.
Level C2PoetryPoemsAn old violinist’s silent rapture and a poet’s unspoken longing set the stage for a journey through heartfelt reflections, timeless nature, and profound musings on life, art, and t…
Level C1PoetryPoemsSet against the turbulent backdrop of 19th-century Spain and Europe, these passionate poems capture moments of war, love, and revolution through vivid imagery and heartfelt reflect…
Level C1PoetryPoemsExplore heartfelt reflections and tender emotions woven through gentle verses that capture nature’s serene beauty and the profound sorrow of loss, inviting readers into a world of…
Level C1PoetryPoemsDelve into a world where science and mysticism entwine, as a speculative philosopher’s forbidden pursuits threaten the fragile life and soul of his beloved wife, stirring fears of…
Level B2PoetryPoemsA heartfelt collection of verses dedicated to the memory of a beloved mother, exploring nature, faith, and human kindness through vivid imagery and reflective musings.
Level C2PoetryPoemata : Latin, Greek and Italian Poems by John MiltonDive into a rich collection of Latin, Greek, and Italian poems that explore elegies, philosophical musings, and heartfelt tributes, showcasing a mind shaped by classical learning a…
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.