Metaphor Poems
Metaphorical Poems
People have used metaphors since the birth of mankind. Metaphors are a way to get around censorship as well as to help us see truths that we may not be able to face if they were stated plainly. It is a way to accentuate beauty as well as pain through this medium of the unstated comparison. When you are reading an appropriate metaphor you are immediately drawn between the truth of the comparison that is being alluded to. The ability to understand metaphoric language opens the key to poetry of tremendous beauty.
46 Metaphor Examples in Popular Poetry
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1. Mighty Oak
Stand tall, oh mighty oak, for all the world to see.
Your strength and undying beauty forever amazes me.
Though storm clouds hover above you,
Your branches span the sky
In search of the radiant sunlight you
Count on to survive.
When the winds are high and restless and
You lose a limb or two,
It only makes you stronger.
We could learn so much from you.
Though generations have come and gone
And brought about such change,
Quietly you've watched them all,
Yet still remained the same.
I only pray God gives to me
The strength he's given you
To face each day with hope,
Whether skies are black or blue.
Life on earth is truly a gift.
Every moment we must treasure.
It's the simple things we take for granted
That become our ultimate pleasures.
Featured Shared StoryThis poem has greatly touched me. The poet has a firm faith in his father, which every son ought to have. A father is the center point for a son's life. To have faith in him and live the life...
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2. Rose Painted
If I were a Rose painted black,
would you cast me aside
like blackened, burnt rice?
Would my color tarnish my sweet smell?
If I were a Rose painted black,
would the richness of my ebony petals
make me unworthy
of being called
a Rose?
If I were a Rose painted white,
would my ivory petals be worth more than silver?
Would my sweet smell captivate
a room welcomingly?
If I were just a Rose,
sweet-smelling and vibrant
and your mind was blind...
would my color matter?Featured Shared StoryThis was a very true poem! I love the meaning, and it really brings out the idea of discrimination by color and how bad it is. I love it!
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3. Love Is A Mirror
A sharpened dagger stabbed in his heart,
Ripping in two, ripping apart.
It took only a few words, but her words cut him deep,
Stealing emotions, making him weak.
A two sided mirror true in reflection,
A double edged knife cutting connections,
A place in his heart forever reserved
For the one that he loved but didn't deserve.
She twisted the dagger; it tore him apart.
She stole what was left; she stole a broken heart.Featured Shared StoryI just recently recovered from a heartbreak - a betrayal from a lady l invested all my emotions and mind. It was so hard for me to believe l got betrayed by someone l bet my life on. l was...
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4. A Broken Family Tree
I am one of many
Small branches of a broken tree,
Always looking to the ones above
For guidance, strength and security.
One little branch trying
To keep the others from breaking away.
Who will fall?
And who will stay?
Now I stand alone,
Looking at the earth through the rain,
And I see the broken branches I knew
Scattered about me in pain.
There are those who have taken an ax
To the root of our very foundation
And who have passed this destruction
Down to every new generation.
If I could take that ax,
I would toss it deep into the sea,
Never to return again
To harm the generations that follow me.
I am one of many,
But alone I will go
And plant the new seeds
Where a beautiful tree will grow.Featured Shared StoryI echo all the stories that have gone before mine. It's amazing, it's moving, it's a poem written with so much feeling and depth. Family should be everything - supportive, comforting,...
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5. Promises Of A New Day
The perpetual cadence of the vast sea
Stirs a restless desire that engulfs me.
Like an infinite force I dare not impede,
Briefly rushing in - only to then recede.
Beckoning me to leave life's safe shore,
Into deep waters of mystery and lore.
The seagulls' cries seem to taunt me,
To follow them over the endless sea,
Where I'd be free to spread my wings
And discover the new life the sea brings.
Yet, fear holds me fast to a familiar place,
Away from the unknown trials I may face.
Even the ocean's waves seem to conspire,
Relentlessly calling to stoke curiosity's fire,
As they rumble ashore with impatient haste,
Swirling about my feet with purpose chaste,
Urging me to follow as they return to the sea,
Leaving a luring trail of life or its relics for me.
Shall I boldly explore the sea's possibilities,
Or allow imagined worries to be liabilities?
Although I cannot foretell all the sea offers,
The strong desire to enrich my mind's coffers
Begs me to obey the sea's enticing siren song
And let its wandering currents carry me along.
As the day slowly wanes on the sea's horizon,
I ponder the sea's glittering trail to the sun,
Inviting me to watch its vibrant dying light,
Before the day's life gives way to the night.
Still, I lingered a while after it faded away,
Wondering about the promises of a new day.Featured Shared StoryI used to think that I was nothing, but I'm not anything - I am something - that is a talented, intelligent, calm, kind, pretty, artistic, unique girl who is loved by everyone around me. I...
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6. Love Is
Love is a walk in the rain at night,
Two hands holding onto each other tight;
Love is honey on a pair of lips,
Onto a tender heart it drips;
Love is a soft and gentle touch;
Your heart, a child's hand may clutch,
Love is a song that stains the air,
Dead or not, it's always there;
Love is both the sun and moon,
Across the sky, like stars, it's strewn;
Love is a tree of abundant fruit,
Giving and serving with every new shoot;
Love is a document, faithful and strong,
To one another, now do you belong;
Love is a river that rages with passion,
Finding ways to calm pools no matter the fashion.Featured Shared StoryI honestly really like both of the poems you have written. They are beautiful and have such meaning behind them, so much that every sentence strikes my heart and seeps into my soul. Your...
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7. Endure Like A Tree
To get through life you have to endure as a tree does.
When Mother Nature tries to bring you down,
You will never fall; you will stand your ground.
You will encounter burning flames.
Yes, it will be painful and hard,
But once it's over and done with,
Your bark will grow back stronger than ever.
When your leaves start to slowly leave,
Never fret, there will be more to take their place.
They'll come and go throughout your life,
That's just how it is.
From the time you're a seedling to the time you're mature,
Your roots will always be there to support you.
After many years,
After enduring forest fires and changing leaves,
Your own saplings will fall away to start anew.
Then you'll know not to worry,
They'll grow into tall, strong trees,
Just like those before you.Featured Shared StoryHello I am Salih Abass. I lost my father while I was very young, and I was taken away from my mother to my grandmother even before I was two years. She took me to school. I lost my grandmom...
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8. Skeletons
The welcome mat outside my door
is dusty, old & worn
'cuz people have been entering in
since the day that I was born
Most people find my home
to be secure, peaceful, fun
A place you can be yourself,
hang out, enjoy the sun
The walls are splashed with color
each room's a different hue
The halls are adorned with pictures
Some old, some new
There are lots of empty guest rooms
At your beck and call
But there's one room that's off-limits
The one at the end of the hall
This room is the oldest,
been empty many years
Now all it holds is memories,
of pain, lost innocence, tears
In the back stands a closet
locked many years before
A door that will never be opened,
padlocked to keep it secure
Have you ever heard the sound
of rattling bones?
It's an eerie, creepy sound
when on and on it drones
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9. Shipwreck
Like a gentle wave, you swayed against my ship.
With a gentle breeze, you guided me forward.
As the sun sank into the ocean,
Light quickly turned into an endless night.
Your clouds surrounded my night sky,
Covering all the stars.
You moved as fast as lightening,
Yet roared as loud as thunder.
Your anger, formed as a storm,
Filled the night sky.
Your gentle touch turned into piercing thorns.
You left me on the sand so sore.
As the moon set upon the horizon,
Dawn broke and filled the sky.
You left me on the sandy shore,
Yet I never asked why.
I came, I stayed.
I fought and cried,
And in the end I was left
Shipwrecked.
Featured Shared StoryThis helped me get through a rough time, and it described everything so perfectly from the start all the way to the end. Thank you. It truly helped a lot.
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10. Note To Self
Be like the willow that bends,
shade that it sends,
peace that it lends.
During the breeze
its leaves will appease
and shift with ease.
Enduring, alluring, maturing.
Be like the willow that bends.Featured Shared StoryThis is an amazing poem - saying so much in very few words. Things don't always go the way we want, and sometimes we have to adapt and do so cheerfully - a very important lesson. It is also...
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11. Fog
The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.
Featured Shared StoryMy dear neighbor, Nellie, who is in her 80s, asked me, as I am an artist, to paint a picture for her to give to her husband for Christmas. She said he loves the poem "Here Comes the Fog" by...
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12. The Spider And The Fly
"Will you walk into my parlor?" said the spider to the fly;
"'Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you may spy.
The way into my parlor is up a winding stair,
And I have many curious things to show when you are there."
"Oh no, no," said the little fly; "to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."
"I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high.
Well you rest upon my little bed?" said the spider to the fly.
"There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin,
And if you like to rest a while, I'll snugly tuck you in!"
"Oh no, no," said the little fly, "for I've often heard it said,
They never, never wake again who sleep upon your bed!"
Said the cunning spider to the fly: "Dear friend, what can I do
To prove the warm affection I've always felt for you?
I have within my pantry good store of all that's nice;
I'm sure you're very welcome - will you please to take a slice?"
"Oh no, no," said the little fly; "kind sir, that cannot be:
I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!"
"Sweet creature!" said the spider, "you're witty and you're wise;
How handsome are your gauzy wings; how brilliant are your eyes!
I have a little looking-glass upon my parlor shelf;
If you'd step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself."
"I thank you, gentle sir," she said, "for what you're pleased to say,
And, bidding you good morning now, I'll call another day."
The spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly fly would soon come back again:
So he wove a subtle web in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready to dine upon the fly;
Then came out to his door again and merrily did sing:
"Come hither, hither, pretty fly, with pearl and silver wing;
Your robes are green and purple; there's a crest upon your head;
Your eyes are like diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!"
Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer grew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes and green and purple hue,
Thinking only of her crested head. Poor, foolish thing! at last
Up jumped the cunning spider, and fiercely held her fast;
He dragged her up his winding stair, into the dismal den -
Within his little parlor - but she ne'er came out again!
And now, dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly flattering words I pray you ne'er give heed;
Unto an evil counselor close heart and ear and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale of the spider and the fly.Featured Shared StoryThis is a beautiful poem, very beautiful! It can as well be a warning to school girls who are prone to dating those men out there. Symbolically, the spider in the poem is a male and the fly...
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13. A New Beginning
A little egg under her mother's wings.
Yet to be born into the world of things.
A crack and a pop, out she came.
Old and new, it was all the same.
Well nourished by mom, she began to sing.
Ready to learn of life and everything.
Innocence of new, she started up her flaps.
Not knowing of life and all its traps.
Mother watched on, with a big chuckle.
As she sprang out of the nest with no buckle.
Back and forth, she swayed on the ground.
As her mother watched for danger all around.
She tried and tried until that day.
Fly she did, but not in a graceful way.
The day came, like mother knew it would.
For her child to fly away, like she should.
Off towards the horizon, fling she went.
Mother watching from afar, knowing it was time well spent.
Many times, the hailstorms of life beat her down.
Sometimes in flight, all the way to the ground.
Lessons well learned, she still lost her way.
Fluttered home to mom, with nothing to say.
Under mother's wings once more, did she heal.
The grace of mothers, no one can steal.
By grace did she heal, down to the core.
Ready to take on life and its challenges once more.
She flew from the tree, mom proud to see.
She became the strongest sparrow that ever would be.
The eagles bowed down, had nothing on her, by the way.
She flew, glided, and boy, did she soar that day.Featured Shared StoryYes it touches to my heart. As we are the parents who do this for our children to make them strongest on earth.
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14. Stout Sprout
A sunflower will grow
With much beauty to show,
But the wind must blow,
Which brings the rain and the snow.
Shivering from the cold,
Waiting for her leaves to unfold.
Much too tender to hold,
Although all her petals are gold.
With roots in the ground,
She won't make a sound.
She feels she could drown,
'Til the sun comes around.
Standing strong with much height
And a little darkness from night,
She finds clarity in the light.
Growing taller, for that she will fight. -
15. The Grandfather Clock
In a dusty, dark corner of a very old house,
sits the tall, wooden worn out clock.
It has seen its share of memories and pain,
keeping perfect time with a tick and a tock.
From weddings to funerals, losses and gains,
sorrows and days filled with fun.
What once was brand new, through the passing of days,
has wrinkled and faded by sun.
With busy days past, the clock sits at its post
as it has done for years before.
The breezes from the front door, infrequent at best,
cease moving across the wood floor.
Tired now from its lifetime of work
watching over the house, was this clock.
As the sun now sets on another arduous day,
the peaceful clock gives its last tick and last tock.Featured Shared StoryWe're all clocks just trying to keep up with time, knowing full that in the end, time will win.
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16. My Boat
You were my boat, sleek by design.
I was your jetty, one of a kind.
We were deeply in love and made for each other,
And I promised I'd never harbour another.
We endured many storms, some big, and some small,
And I stood firm for you through them all.
And no matter how fierce those winter winds blew,
I'd withstand the force and keep hold of you.
Your delicate nudge when the weather was fine,
Your smooth polished body, pressing up against mine.
I was the happiest jetty in all of the sea,
And I couldn't believe that you'd chosen me,
But over the years I watched our rope fray,
And I could see you were slowly slipping away.
The knots that we'd fastened were no longer tight,
But I tried to hold on with all of my might
I couldn't survive without you by my side.
I never gave up, oh how I tried.
Then came an angry, tempestuous storm,
And the minute it passed, you were suddenly gone.
That day you left me was painfully bleak.
I stood there, heartbroken and structurally weak.
I had braved the conditions for so many years.
Now my timber was heavy, sodden with tears,
My pylons gave way, the wood didn't float,
And slowly I drowned still in love with my boat. -
17. The Rose
The sun went away
The sky went black
Up came the wind
I fell on my back
It started to rain
I began to sink
Then I lifted my head
And took a drink
I perked myself up
And said "please don't cry"
And wiped off my petals
Until they were dry
The clouds soon parted
And out came the sun
The beauty in me
Has only begun. -
18. Vibrant Colors
Don't judge my cover; it's not mine.
I was given this to wear for the duration of my time.
Over time it has become creased, ripped, and worn,
A once perfect canvas the day I was born.
Even the corners are rounded and jaded.
The vibrant colors that once were have now faded.
Deep inside there are pages missing.
I wish that one day you would sit and listen.
Turn these pages slowly and rewind time,
For it's down to you to make up your mind.
Gently close me; be careful of my cover.
Then place me back on the shelf for someone new to discover...
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19. Love Is Real
Love is pure like a
white wedding
gown.
Love is honest and
real like your heartbeat.
Love has its own
way of arriving like
the seasons.
Love makes you smile
for no reason.
Love is like your
favorite flower,
which covers the
world with its
fragrance.
Love is a remedy;
It's joy for those
wounded souls.
Love is like a volcano;
it's not apologetic,
and it flows
without resistance.
Love is like fire that
burns in the core
of the earth.
Love is a paradise
where two hearts
overflow with delight.
Love is a beautiful
sunrise.
Love comes and goes
like your favorite song,
wonderful when it begins,
and sad when it
ends.
Love is the light that
shines on the dark
places.
Love is real and not
predictable.
It never tells when
it arrives, and you can
never know when it
will go away.
Love is a mystery.
It's unseen but real,
as the wind is not seen
but felt.Featured Shared StoryBeautiful poetry, Veronique . . . Love is a many splendid thing, tho' love can also have its sting.
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20. A Tree
I enter the earth as a small plant
Tiny and helpless like an infant
Then I grow up and become as active
As a school child
Very strong and very wild
Then comes the stage when I am of middle age
Commanding and brave
Like a sailor who can withstand the gigantic waves
After a few years I turn old and my growth becomes slow
And I start to lose all my beauty and glow
In my younger years I was healthy and fresh
Now my health is in a bit of a mess
But whatever age I am, I'll not stop giving you fruits
Unless you pull me out of the soil by my
ROOTS!!
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