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 C1PoetryAesop Dress'd; Or, A Collection of Fables Writ in Familiar VerseDiscover timeless morals and witty lessons through familiar animal fables transformed into graceful, accessible verse that invites reflection and delight.
Level A2PoetryAdvice: A Book of PoemsDive into a vibrant collection of poems that explore modern life and emotion with bold, stirring imagery and a fresh, unapologetic voice.
Level C1PoetryAdventures While Preaching the Gospel of BeautyEmbark on a whimsical journey across the American Midwest with a poet who walks from town to town, sharing his vibrant Gospel of Beauty and trading rhymes for bread, encountering c…
Level C1PoetryAdonaisAn elegy steeped in classical form and personal grief, this poem mourns the untimely death of a beloved poet, blending biographical reflection with soaring sentiment to explore los…
Level C1PoetryActions and reactionsA man forced into rest by illness escapes to the quiet English countryside with his wife, seeking solace from his shattered ambitions and the relentless pace of business.
Level C2PoetryAcross the Sea and Other Poems.Journey across the sea through evocative poems that explore childhood’s lost innocence, the allure of distant shores, and the poignant beauty of memory and life's uncertain voyage.
Level C2PoetryAccolon of Gaul, with Other PoemsIn a mystical forest where ancient magic stirs, a knight wanders through dreams of legendary love and enchantment, drawn into the haunting allure of Morgane and the spellbound real…
PoetryAbroadSet sail on a poetic journey through foreign lands, capturing the thrill of departure, the crossing of the Channel, and the wonder of arriving in France for the first time.
Level C2PoetryAbraham Lincoln: An Horatian OdeWitness the profound mourning and tribute to a humble man who rose from rustic roots to lead a nation through its greatest trial, only to fall by a tragic act of betrayal that shak…
Level C2PoetryA-Naughty-Biography and other poemsA mischievous child recounts a lively and challenging infancy filled with family love, illness, and childhood antics on a small farm, navigating early hardships and the sudden loss…
PoetryA winter holidayImmerse yourself in vivid scenes of winter and island life, where poetry captures the quiet beauty of December in Scituate and the vibrant spirit of the Bahamas.
Level C1PoetryA vision of lifeDive into a collection of richly woven poems that revive the intricate beauty and spirit of the Elizabethan era, blending complexity with heartfelt dedication and a fresh poetic re…
Level B2PoetryA teacher's giftA poor boy’s desperate search for work tests his courage and faith, while a devoted mother’s love offers warmth amid hardship.
Level C1PoetryA spray of lilac, and other poems and songsDelve into a heartfelt collection of poems and songs, each offering a glimpse into a decade of reflections shared across beloved periodicals.
Level C1PoetryA silver poolDive into a collection of evocative poems that explore love, longing, and the delicate beauty of fleeting moments, weaving emotions into vivid imagery and timeless reflection.
Level A2HistoricalA poem on the earthquake at LisbonExplore the haunting aftermath of Lisbon's devastating earthquake through vivid poetic reflection, capturing the shock and profound impact on a city forever changed by nature's fur…
Level C1PoetryA new selection of miscellaneous pieces, in verseExperience the heartfelt verses of a blind poet reflecting on the trials, gratitude, and quiet joys of her solitary life in early 19th-century Scotland, offering a personal glimpse…
Level C1PoetryA little child's wreathA tender collection of sonnets unfolds the profound grief and abiding love of a mother mourning her beloved young nephew.
Level C1PoetryA line-o'-verse or twoDive into whimsical verses where an anchorite’s fierce self-discipline clashes with a mystical book’s bold claim that pain is merely a state of mind, blending humor, faith, and iro…
Level B2PoetryA horse bookDiscover the lively world of horses through playful foals, clever circus ponies, and hardworking ploughhorses, each revealing unique traits from schooling and intelligence to wilfu…
Level C2PoetryA happy New Year, and other versesExplore a rich tapestry of emotions and landscapes through evocative verses that capture moments from springtime gardens to historic elections and distant battles, blending persona…
Level C1PoetryA day with the poet BurnsFollow the rugged ploughman-poet through the Scottish countryside as he wrestles with bitter memories, finds solace in nature’s harsh beauty, and lets his spontaneous songs capture…
Level C2PoetryA chant of love for England, and other poemsPassionate poems evoke England’s spirit, from heroic soldiers and historic ballads to tender reflections and stirring sonnets, weaving a rich tapestry of love, loss, and national p…
PoetryA cat bookExplore the many moods and mysteries of cats through whimsical poems that celebrate their greed, dreams, playfulness, and more in a charming tribute to our feline friends.
Level C2PoetryA book of Christmas verseJourney through timeless Christmas carols and evocative poems that capture the spirit of the season, from ancient hymns to heartfelt modern verses celebrating joy, faith, and the n…
Level B2PoetryA bold bad butterflyStep into a whimsical world where animals debate night and day, and fables come alive with humor and charm.
Level C1PoetryA Wreath of Virginia Bay Leaves: Poems of James Barron HopeImmerse yourself in the stirring verse of a devoted Virginian whose poetry captures the spirit of his homeland and honors its historic heroes.
RomanceA Woman's Love LettersDiscover a collection of heartfelt love letters that capture the tender emotions, hopes, and yearnings of a woman's heart, revealing the intimate journey of romance and passion.
Level C1PoetryA Voice on the Wind, and Other PoemsImmerse yourself in vivid poems that bring to life the whispers of nature—from crickets and owls to summer noontides and autumn woods—capturing the soulful beauty and quiet drama o…
PoetryA Visit From Saint NicholasOn a quiet Christmas Eve, a sudden, magical visit from Saint Nicholas fills the night with wonder, as a family’s home becomes the stage for a timeless holiday surprise.
Level C1PoetryA Vers de Société AnthologyDelve into a refined collection of light, graceful poetry that captures the wit and elegance of polished society.
Level C1PoetryA Treasury of Canadian Verse, with Brief Biographical NotesDiscover the rich tapestry of English-Canadian poetry that captures the vivid landscapes, seasons, and spirit of Canada, reflecting universal emotions and aspirations through natur…
Level B2PoetryA Tale of Two Monkeys, and other storiesTwo playful Brazilian monkeys escape their cage, wreaking charming havoc in a kindly doctor's home until their mischief leads to an unexpected fate.
Level C2PoetryA Summer's PoemsImmerse yourself in a collection of reflective poems inspired by six weeks spent amid the majestic mountains of Upper Austria, exploring nature, life’s journey, and fleeting moment…
Level C1PoetryA Study of PoetryExplore the transformative power of poetry as it turns everyday moments into symbols of hope and resurrection, unveiling how verse elevates human experience from sorrow to ecstatic…
Level C1PoetryA Spray of Kentucky Pine: Placed at the Feet of the Dead Poet James Whitcomb RileyA heartfelt tribute intertwining the legacy of the beloved poet James Whitcomb Riley with personal reflections and memories, this collection honors both the dead and the living thr…
Level C1PoetryA Song of the Open Road, and Other VersesExplore the sharp wit and poignant reflections of an Irish poet navigating identity, art, and internationalism amid the turbulent backdrop of early 20th-century London and war, cap…
Level C1HistoricalA Song of the GunsAmidst the relentless thunder of artillery in the trenches of World War I, soldiers become both masters and slaves to their guns, navigating the brutal realities of war through the…
Level C1PoetryA Shropshire LadAmid the tranquil landscapes of Shropshire, vivid poems explore the bittersweet realities of youth, friendship, and loss, capturing life’s contrasts with lyrical simplicity and an…
Level C2PoetryA Sheaf of Verses: PoemsExplore vivid emotions and reflections on nature, love, and life through a collection of lyrical poems that celebrate youth, beauty, and the poetic spirit in every moment.
PoetryA Sheaf of RosesExplore a vibrant bouquet of emotions and imagery through a collection of poems named after roses, each unveiling delicate beauty and heartfelt reflections woven into the language…
Level C1PoetryA Selection from the Works of Frederick LockerDiscover a rich collection of poetic reflections and whimsical tales, from heartfelt invitations to meditations on time and memory, all vividly brought to life with charming illust…
Level C1PoetryA Selection from the Poems of William MorrisExplore the vivid world of medieval lore and artistic passion through poems that reflect the spirit of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and a unique poetic vision shaped by friendshi…
Level C2PoetryA Selection from the Lyrical Poems of Robert HerrickDive into a rich tapestry of lyrical poems exploring themes of love, nature, and the passage of time, where pastoral beauty and heartfelt emotion intertwine in graceful verse.
Level C1PoetryA Season at Harrogate: In a Series of Poetical Epistles, from Benjamin Blunderhead, Esquire, to His Mother, in Derbyshire. With Useful and Copious Notes, Descriptive of the Objects Most Worthy of Attention in the Vicinity of HarrogateFollow Benjamin Blunderhead’s witty and poetic letters as he explores the famed waters and curious company of Harrogate, blending satire and local color in a lively account of a di…
Level C1PoetryA Satire AnthologyExplore a rich collection of sharp, witty poems that dissect society, politics, and human nature with humor and irony.
Level C2HistoricalA Roman Lawyer in Jerusalem : First CenturyIn first-century Jerusalem, a Roman lawyer wrestles with the mysterious figure of Christus and the controversial betrayal by Judas Iscariot, seeking truth amid political turmoil an…
Level C2PoetryA Reading of Life, with Other PoemsYouth faces a vital choice between the fierce freedom of Artemis and the seductive allure of Aphrodite, as the poem explores the passionate, wild chase of life and love’s compellin…