Narrative Poems

What is a Narrative Poem?

A narrative poem tells the story of an event in the form of a poem.

• It has a beginning, middle, and end.
• There is a strong sense of narration, characters, and plot.
• It may or may not rhyme.
• It could be short or long.

Examples of Famous Narrative Poems

Paul Bunyan by Shel Silverstein

He rode through the woods on a big blue ox,
He had fists as hard as choppin' blocks,
Five hundred pounds and nine feet tall...that's Paul.

Talk about workin', when he swung his axe
You could hear it ring for a mile and a half.
Then he'd yell "Timber!" and down she'd fall...for Paul.

Talk about drinkin', that man's so mean
That he'd never drink nothin' but kerosene,
And a five-gallon can is a little bit small...for Paul.

Talk about tough, well he once had a fight
With a thunderstorm on a cold dark night.
I ain't sayin' who won,
But it don't storm at all...round here...thanks to Paul.

Read Complete Poem

A good narrative poem can be read aloud to others and usually is written with a particular rhyming pattern which enhances the listener's enjoyment. Some of these popular famous narrative poems have been entertaining people for over a century.

• Twas The Night Before Christmas By Clement Clarke Moore
• The Fish By Elizabeth Bishop
• Richard Cory By Edwin Arlington Robinson
• The Three Little Pigs By Roald Dahl
• Little Red Riding Hood And The Wolf By Roald Dahl
• We Are Seven By William Wordsworth
• The Spider And The Fly By Mary Howitt
• Out Out By Robert Frost
• A Boy Named Sue By Shel Silverstein
• The Owl And The Pussy-Cat By Edward Lear
• The Pig By Roald Dahl
• Cinderella By Roald Dahl
• Us Two By A. A. Milne

More Examples of Famous Narrative Poems

Examples of Narrative Poems

• The Littlest Christmas Tree by Amy Peterson
• One Look by Ashley
• Long To See Your Sweet Face by Kim Perry
• The Ballad Of Rum by Peter Wolveridge
• Hurricane Isabella by Amy Aird
• The Home He Knew Best by Ken Budden
• Heirloom Of Love by Angie
• Her Wedding Day by Jennafer Nolan
• Keepsake by Mac McKenzie

More Examples of Narrative Poems