Famous Inspirational Poems

History's Best Inspirational Poems

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 inspirational poems that touched, and continue to touch, people with a positive message even today.

Best Inspirational Poems by Famous Poets

1 - 10 of 15

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If
- By Rudyard Kipling
If By Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
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:

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- Stories 9
- Emailed 2332
- Favorited 61
- Votes 2207
- Rating 4.52

Human Family
- By Maya Angelou
Human Family By Maya Angelou

I note the obvious differences
in the human family.
Some of us are serious,
some thrive on comedy.

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- Stories 4
- Emailed 777
- Favorited 17
- Votes 630
- Rating 4.51
Still I Rise
- By Maya Angelou
Still I Rise By Maya Angelou

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise....

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- Stories 3
- Emailed 572
- Favorited 64
- Votes 1655
- Rating 4.48

Phenomenal Woman
- By Maya Angelou
Phenomenal Woman By Maya Angelou

Analysis of Form and Technique

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
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.

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- Stories 5
- Emailed 1006
- Favorited 49
- Votes 1153
- Rating 4.47
The Invitation
- By Oriah Mountain Dreamer
The Invitation By Oriah Mountain Dreamer

It doesn't interest me
what you do for a living.
I want to know
what you ache for...

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- Stories 1
- Emailed 547
- Favorited 32
- Votes 876
- Rating 4.46
Invictus
- By William Ernest Henley
Invictus By William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

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- Stories 3
- Emailed 380
- Favorited 28
- Votes 936
- Rating 4.43

The Road Not Taken
- By Robert Frost
The Road Not Taken By Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could

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- Stories 4
- Emailed 391
- Favorited 32
- Votes 572
- Rating 4.40
The Charge Of The Light Brigade
- By Alfred Tennyson
The Charge Of The Light Brigade By Lord Alfred Tennyson

Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.

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- Stories 0
- Emailed 49
- Favorited 7
- Votes 126
- Rating 4.39
If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking
- By Emily Dickinson
If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking By Emily Dickinson

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,

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- Stories 1
- Emailed 242
- Favorited 22
- Votes 788
- Rating 4.33
Barter
- By Sara Teasdale
Barter By Sara Teasdale

Life has loveliness to sell,
All beautiful and splendid things,
Blue waves whitened on a cliff,
Soaring fire that sways and sings,...

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- Stories 1
- Emailed 94
- Favorited 8
- Votes 250
- Rating 4.25

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