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 C1PoetryCarolina chansonsImmerse yourself in the vivid legends and landscapes of coastal Carolina, where colonial history, haunting folklore, and the unique Low Country environment blend into poetic portra…
Level C1PoetryCaptain Sword and Captain Pen: A PoemIn a stirring poetic narrative, two captains—Sword and Pen—clash amid war's brutal realities and aftermath, challenging the glorified tales of battle with raw reflections on its tr…
PoetryCaptain CraigExplore the lives and struggles of vivid characters through a rich tapestry of poems, where themes of love, loss, and human nature unfold with profound insight and emotional depth.
Level C1PoetryCape Cod Ballads, and Other VerseVivid ballads capture the spirit of Cape Cod’s coastal life, weaving tales of sea-farers, village characters, and the rugged beauty of New England shores through heartfelt and evoc…
Level C1PoetryCap and Gown: A Treasury of College VerseCelebrate the joys and reflections of undergraduate life through light, graceful, and sometimes serious verse capturing youth, love, and the bittersweet transition from carefree da…
Level C1PoetryCaoidh airson cor na Gaidhealtachd agus fogradh nan GaidhealA poignant Gaelic lament reflects on the fading language and the forced emigration from the Highlands, mourning lost traditions and the transformation of ancestral lands into pastu…
Level C1PoetryCanadian Wild Flowers: Selections from the Writings of Miss Helen M. JohnsonDelve into heartfelt poems and prose inspired by Canadian nature, faith, and patriotism, weaving reflections on life, hope, and the divine.
Level C1PoetryCanadian Melodies and PoemsDiscover a heartfelt collection of poems inspired by Canada’s landscapes, history, and spirit—from serene lakes and majestic forests to the heroic tales of its ancestors—offering a…
Level C1HistoricalCanadian Battlefields, and Other PoemsExplore stirring poems that evoke patriotism, the beauty of nature, and the echoes of historic Canadian battlefields, weaving together tales of valor, home, and the mysteries beyon…
Level B2PoetryCanada, My Land; and Other Compositions in VerseCelebrate the vast beauty and resilient spirit of Canada through stirring verses that honor its landscapes, history, and proud heritage.
Level C1PoetryCanada and Other PoemsExplore the soul of a young nation through heartfelt poems that celebrate hope, resilience, and patriotism, capturing the spirit of Canada’s growth and the enduring human journey f…
Level C1PoetryCan Grande's castleAmidst the shadows of war, a poet turns to history, weaving vivid visions through a new form of "polyphonic prose" that blurs the line between past and present, prose and verse, to…
Level C2PoetryCaliforniaImmerse yourself in a lyrical celebration of California's majestic landscapes and rich spirit, where mountains, seas, and valleys sing in harmony.
Level C2PoetryCactus and pine: Songs of the SouthwestImmerse yourself in the rugged spirit of the American Southwest, where vast deserts, towering peaks, and untamed trails shape the souls of pioneers and dreamers.
Level B1PoetryBye-a Baby Bunting, and Other RhymesDiscover a charming collection of nursery rhymes and playful verses that bring joy and rhythm to childhood moments, capturing the simple wonders of early life with warmth and whims…
Level C1PoetryBy the Sea, and Other VersesExplore heartfelt verses that celebrate kindness, devotion, and the beauty of everyday moments, weaving history and personal reflections into a tapestry of inspiration and hope.
PoetryBy the Aurelian Wall, and Other ElegiesExplore haunting elegies that weave nature's mysteries with reflections on life and death, inviting you to ponder the shadows beneath the serene beauty of the Aurelian Wall.
Level C1PoetryBy Trench and Trail in Song and StorySongs and stories echoing from lumber camps to war trenches reveal the rugged spirit of timber workers and soldiers, blending humor, patriotism, and the raw beauty of nature in a h…
Level A2PoetryBy Still Waters: Lyrical Poems Old and NewImmerse yourself in lyrical poems that weave nature, spirit, and human experience into a serene and reflective journey, inviting quiet contemplation by still waters.
Level C1PoetryBy Scarlet Torch and BladeImmerse yourself in vivid poems that celebrate the beauty and spirit of nature, from towering trees and mountain tops to the rhythms of life in western hills, inviting reflection,…
Level C1PoetryBuzz a Buzz; Or, The BeesDiscover the bustling world of bees through witty verses and vivid illustrations that reveal the hive’s secret life, from vigilant sentinels to the queen’s grand fete, blending hum…
Level B2PoetryButtercup Gold, and Other StoriesStep into a world where the Little New Year and Mother Nature herself bring blessings, kindness, and the magic of changing seasons to life through heartfelt tales and gentle poems…
Level C1PoetryBurlesque Plays and PoemsDive into sharp, witty parodies that mock storytelling excesses and chivalric tales, from Chaucer’s loquacious knights to satirical stage plays, blending humor and critique in a li…
Level C1PoetryBulchevy's Book of English VerseExplore a curated journey through English verse from the 13th to the 19th century, featuring lyrical and epigrammatic poems chosen for their enduring beauty and emotional power, wi…
Level C2PoetryBuds and flowers of childish lifeDelight in a charming collection of poems capturing the innocence and wonder of childhood, brought to life with vibrant illustrations that celebrate the simple joys and budding adv…
Level C1PoetryBrowning's Shorter PoemsExplore vivid poems brimming with lively narration, high optimism, and profound reflections on the soul’s journey, crafted to engage young readers with imagination and insight thro…
Level C1HistoricalBrowning as a Philosophical and Religious TeacherExplore the profound moral and religious philosophy woven through Browning’s poetry, where poetic art meets deep ethical inquiry and idealistic faith, inviting readers to consider…
Level C1HistoricalBrowning and the Dramatic MonologueExplore the challenges of understanding Browning’s innovative dramatic monologues, where traditional storytelling gives way to deep psychological insight and complex human motives,…
Level C1HistoricalBrowning and His CenturyExplore the intense 19th-century clash between mind and spirit as evolving scientific knowledge challenges inherited religious and moral traditions, revealing a profound struggle s…
Level C1PoetryBrown leaves and other versesExplore heartfelt reflections on nature, life’s seasons, and the tender moments that connect childhood, love, memory, and hope in a collection of verses that celebrate the beauty a…
Level C1PoetryBrown William, The Power of the Harp, and Other BalladsA haunting ballad recounts the betrayal and tragic fate of Brown William, a noble patriot whose murder shakes the Isle of Man, weaving themes of envy, justice, and revenge in a sti…
Level C1PoetryBroad Grins: Comprising, With New Additional Tales in Verse, Those: Formerly Publish'd Under the Title "My Night-Gown and: Slippers."In lively verse, three friends debate the merits and follies of modern poets, dramatists, and novelists, exposing the quirks of literary taste and criticism with sharp wit and humo…
Level A2PoetryBritish Sports, for the Amusement of ChildrenExplore vivid scenes of traditional British sports and rural pastimes, from pheasant shooting to fox chasing, brought to life with colorful illustrations designed to entertain and…
Level C2PoetryBriefless Ballads and Legal Lyrics: Second SeriesDive into a unique blend of legal history and verse, where ancient Roman litigants meet whimsical court cases and poetic reflections on justice, all unfolding through sharp, witty…
Level B2AdventureBrave and True: Short stories for children by G. M. Fenn and OthersAmid the hardships of naval life and old school rivalries, a young sailor recounts his daring rescue of a wounded officer under enemy fire, revealing bravery and unexpected friends…
Level C2PoetryBramble BraeExplore a rich tapestry of reflections on life, loss, and nature through evocative poems that traverse personal memories, historical moments, and intimate prayers, inviting readers…
PoetryBoys and Girls: The Verses of James W. FoleyStep into a world of heartfelt verses capturing childhood adventures, tender moments, and timeless stories filled with warmth and imagination.
Level C1PoetryBorth LyricsA school community faces upheaval and displacement, seeking refuge by the sea in the Welsh village of Borth.
Level C1HistoricalBooks and Habits, from the Lectures of Lafcadio HearnExplore the Western world through the eyes of Japanese students as these lectures unravel the exotic and often puzzling customs of Western civilization, especially its unique views…
Level C2PoetryBonnie Joann, and other poemsImmerse yourself in the vivid landscapes and heartfelt voices of Angus, where rustic tales and tender dreams unfold through evocative dialect and rich emotion.
Level C1PoetryBohemian Days: Three American TalesSeven destitute Confederate exiles gather in a Paris tenement, clinging to fading luxuries and desperate schemes like roulette systems, as they confront starvation, lost status, an…
Level C2PoetryBog-land studiesExplore haunting landscapes and poignant moments woven through Irish life, where nature and human experience intertwine in vivid, reflective poetry that captures the subtle mysteri…
Level C1HistoricalBoer War LyricsExplore poignant verses born amid the turmoil of the Boer War, capturing the clash between moral right and overwhelming might in a struggle that reshaped nations and tested human c…
Level B2PoetryBlottentots, and How to Make ThemDiscover the whimsical world of Blottentots—playful creatures born from inkblots brought to life through simple folds and imagination, each with its own quirky story and personalit…
Level C2PoetryBlooms of the BerryDive into a world of vivid imagery and heartfelt reflection as poems explore nature’s cycles, mythic seas, and the passage of time, capturing the delicate interplay between light a…
Level C1PoetryBlack Beetles in AmberDive into a haunting collection of verses steeped in Pacific Coast lore, where satire and mystery intertwine, and dreams blur with dark reality—each poem revealing the eerie echoes…
Level C2PoetryBitter-Sweet: A PoemAmid a fierce winter storm, a devout Puritan patriarch welcomes his gathered family for Thanksgiving Eve, weaving together faith, nature’s harshness, and the warmth of home in a po…
Level C2PoetryBirds, Beasts and Flowers: Poems by D. H. LawrenceExplore vivid poems that celebrate the natural world, from fruits and flowers to birds, beasts, and mystical creatures, capturing their essence with striking imagery and deep insig…