Famous Inspirational Poems
Words of Wisdom: Powerful Poems of Motivation and Encouragement
Many poems, and poets for that matter, earn fame because of their ability to inspire others. Such poems give people the internal strength they need to overcome a problem, reach a goal, or let go of their resentment or guilt. Poems can even inspire people to work towards a cause or become a better person. Many famous poets had the keen ability to use the written word to reach hearts and souls, motivating people to action. They used their gift in the most noble of ways by creating powerful inspirational poems that touched, and continue to touch, people with a positive message even today.
36 Motivational Poems by Famous Poets
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1. The Invitation
It doesn't interest me
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what you do for a living.
I want to know
what you ache forFeatured Shared StoryI love this more than words. I think of these words often, especially in times that I feel as though I haven't done much through the years, and I'm sweetly reminded that I HAVE done so much!...
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2. If
If you can keep your head when all about you
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Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:Featured Shared StoryI was never an avid reader nor appreciated poetry most of my life. My dad sent me this poem for my 28th birthday, printed along with a lovely card. Living many miles away from him I often...
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3. Still I Rise
You may write me down in history
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With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.Featured Shared Story"Still I Rise" is a verbalized legacy formed from the roots and depth of her heart. Maya Angelou exhilarated how to overcome life barriers as she exhaled a fulfilling visual capacity of a...
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4. Phenomenal Woman
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
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I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.Featured Shared StoryPhenomenal Woman By Maya Angelou this poem is a Classic that deals with every women in the world. This poem shows that beauty is compare by what society thinks a woman should looked like,...
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5. Keep Going
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
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When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,Featured Shared StoryI've had this poem on my desk for the past 40 years of my life. In my darkest moments, it's given me light and a way to look beyond the clouds around me. It's a classic motivational...
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6. Good Timber
The tree that never had to fight
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For sun and sky and air and light,
But stood out in the open plain
And always got its share of rain,Featured Shared StoryPoetry is a passionate way of expressing our innermost thoughts, emotions, spirit, and love, amongst other things. As I read this poem, I thought of a very humble gentleman who lost his...
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7. Have You Earned Your Tomorrow
Is anybody happier because you passed his way?
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Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today?
This day is almost over, and its toiling time is through;
Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word of you?Featured Shared StoryThis is a very inspiring poem. I am a health care professional working with elderly nursing home care patients... many are alone with various combinations of impairments in hearing, seeing,...
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8. Invictus
Out of the night that covers me,
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Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.Featured Shared StoryOnce I was a good student. I have always been an obedient and gentle person. Then I failed in my life for the first time in the year 2002. Something happened and I fell right from the top and...
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9. Equipment
Figure it out for yourself, my lad,
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You've all that the greatest of men have had,
Two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes,
And a brain to use if you would be wise.Featured Shared StoryI lost my wife Donna in April 2021. Edgar Albert Guest's poem is inspiring me to carry on and get on with things. Life is too short.
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10. The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
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And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I couldFeatured Shared StoryI think you are correct that the poem may be about a higher calling to pursue the best way. I also can agree as you stated he may have meant something else. Or he possibly did mean what you...
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11. Dreams
Hold fast to dreams
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For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.Featured Shared StoryI so get it. Dreams are hope to a lot of us. I've heard it said that before you get it you have to dream it. I think when we stop dreaming we stop reaching, and when we stop reaching we stop...
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12. See It Through
When you’re up against a trouble,
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Meet it squarely, face to face;
Lift your chin and set your shoulders,
Plant your feet and take a brace.Featured Shared StoryI was feeling down, discouraged, confused and all sorts of unpleasant ways today. Going through a failed marriage, raising two young boys by myself, but moreover struggling with my own...
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13. Equality
You declare you see me dimly
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through a glass which will not shine,
though I stand before you boldly,
trim in rank and marking time.Featured Shared StoryTruely inspirational poem. This is the cry of present time that it is the 21st century and people are still struggling for equality, which is far from reach for many.
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14. A Psalm Of Life
Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
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Life is but an empty dream!—
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.Featured Shared StoryMy deceased husband introduced me to this poem 55 years ago, and I've always considered it a great gift.
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15. The Will To Win
If you want a thing bad enough
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To go out and fight for it,
Work day and night for it,
Give up your time and your peace andFeatured Shared StoryI like how I became motivated to proceed with caution concerning my worldly desire. I do not want my faith and hope to be misplaced. When my will is invoked by deep feelings of want for...
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16. Caged Bird
The free bird leaps
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on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current endsFeatured Shared StoryI remember this poem from my guided reading class in 5th grade. I remember it well. This poem really touched me, and reading it again just made my day. This poem, I remember it being about...
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17. It Couldn't Be Done
Somebody said that it couldn’t be done
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But he with a chuckle replied
That "maybe it couldn't," but he would be one
Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried.Featured Shared StoryI memorized this poem more than 30 years ago and though I'm now 72, I still find myself quoting it often. In fact, I quote it almost every time I find myself engaged in an extremely difficult...
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18. Human Family
I note the obvious differences
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in the human family.
Some of us are serious,
some thrive on comedy.Featured Shared StoryWith so much sadness and feeling alone in the world today, reading these words reminded me there are so many others that feel the same. And it's so important for us all to remember all humans...
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19. Be The Best Of Whatever You Are
If you can't be a pine on the top of the hill,
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Be a scrub in the valley — but be
The best little scrub by the side of the rill;
Be a bush if you can't be a tree.Featured Shared StoryTwo years ago I was in depression and isolated. I felt frequently that I was worthless and deserved no love, no appreciation, no friends. I kept myself aloof from everyone, thinking that I...
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20. The Paradoxical Commandments
People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
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Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.Featured Shared StoryThis poem is very touching. I think the poem is all about staying positive no what happens in life. People won't appreciate you for the your good deeds, but still have a positive attitude...
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