Short Poems

Why a Short Poem?

A short poem may be a stylistic choice or it may be that you have said what you intended to say in a more concise way. Either way, they differ stylistically from a long poem in that there tends to be more care in word choice. Since there are fewer words people tend to spend more time on choosing a word that fits the subject to perfection. Because of this meticulous attitude, writing a short poem is often more tedious than writing a long poem.

Are you looking for for Short Poems by Famous Poets?

View our collection of Famous Short Poems

79 Short and Simple Poems

1 - 20 of 79

Sort By

1. Nothing Gold Can Stay

Robert Frost is one of the most famous poets from the 1900s. He never earned a formal college degree, but he did receive honorary degrees from more than 40 colleges and universities. This famous poem shows that everything in life is cyclical and that the beauty in nature only lasts for a short period of time. Even though life ends, there is new life waiting to come forth.

Top 500 Poem 111
- By Robert Frost
Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
More...
Go To Complete Poem
- Stories 0
- Shares 6402
- Favorited 30
- Votes 1728
- Rating 4.35

2. Underface

Children, teenagers, and adults as well, can all identify with the message of this poem for children from Shel Silverstein published in his book, "Every Thing On It." Sometimes we all feel like no one really truly knows us, as if we are wearing a mask and our true self is hidden from all underneath our face.
- By Shel Silverstein
Underneath my outside face
There's a face that none can see.
A little less smiley,
A little less sure,

Underneath my outside face
There's a face that none can see.
A little less smiley,
A little less sure,
But a whole lot more like me
More...

Go To Complete Poem
- Stories 3
- Shares 3227
- Favorited 31
- Votes 723
- Rating 4.23
Featured Shared Story

What a perfect poem! At times we could basically tell how people were feeling despite their facial expressions. It was in their eyes the tell- tale signs that led us to see at least the...

Read complete story

Touched by the poem? Share your story! (3)

3. A Fallen Leaf

When we are new to love, sometimes we fall too quickly and allow ourselves to be put in situations we end up regretting. Everything changes after that. Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850-1919) was an American author and poet who became known as a poet even before graduating high school.
- By Ella Wheeler Wilcox
A trusting little leaf of green,
A bold audacious frost;
A rendezvous, a kiss or two,
And youth for ever lost.

A trusting little leaf of green,
A bold audacious frost;
A rendezvous, a kiss or two,
And youth for ever lost.
Ah, me!
The bitter, bitter cost.

A flaunting patch of vivid red,
That quivers in the sun;
A windy gust, a grave of dust,
The little race is run.
Ah, me!
Were that the only one.
More...
Go To Complete Poem
- Stories 1
- Shares 181
- Favorited 6
- Votes 64
- Rating 4.08
Featured Shared Story

A never-ending story, one can imagine, a handsome but cold, reckless man, reckless with the life of a young trusting, blooming girl. A brief encounter, to say the least, that takes away her...

Read complete story

Touched by the poem? Share your story! (1)
4. A Day Away

I've struggled with depression most of my life. I tend to see the worst in things and often need to be reminded of things most people do naturally. This short poem is one of those reminders. A great tragedy occurs when the bad days numb us to the good ones. Try to enjoy the good days, because they don't last that long. Try not to fear the bad days, because they won't last that long. Whether time is currently your friend or foe, however it can help you today, remember today won't last that long.

Top 500 Poem 392
- By Brian E Pardee
- Published: May 2020 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
Feelings And Perspective

Some feelings are shallow, some feelings are deep.
Some make us smile, some make us weep.

Some we love, some we don't.

Some feelings are shallow, some feelings are deep.
Some make us smile, some make us weep.

Some we love, some we don't.
Some we'll savor, some we won't.

Some grounding, some uplifting,
Some long-lasting, some constantly shifting.

No matter what feelings I'm feeling today,
I know tomorrow is only a day away.
More...
Go To Complete Poem
- Stories 6
- Shares 6995
- Favorited 47
- Votes 824
- Rating 4.40
Featured Shared Story

I, too, have dealt with depression most of my life. I have learned two things. Feelings are just that. They are fleeting. They come and they go. I have also learned to rely on my rock, my...

Read complete story

Touched by the poem? Share your story! (6)

5. Camouflaged

I just write from the heart. Through events in my life, I find putting pen to paper is a great healer.
- By Kim McCrea
- Published: February 2016 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
Poem About The Beautiful Chaos Of Life

In all chaotic beauty lies a wounded work of art.
Beautiful but torn, wreaking havoc on my heart.
Camouflaged by insecurities, blinded by it all.
I love the way you sit there and barely notice me at all.

In all chaotic beauty lies a wounded work of art.
Beautiful but torn, wreaking havoc on my heart.
Camouflaged by insecurities, blinded by it all.
I love the way you sit there and barely notice me at all.
More...
Go To Complete Poem
- Stories 3
- Shares 3232
- Favorited 73
- Votes 2275
- Rating 4.43
Featured Shared Story

With death being the only certainty of life, life is just a bit too short for regrets.
Let's live while we're alive.
Let's love while we're alive.
Let's live and not just survive.

Touched by the poem? Share your story! (3)
6. And The World Carries On
- By Amy O Connor
- Published: August 2020 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
The plates will still shift
and the clouds will still spew.
The sun will slowly rise
and the moon will follow too.

The plates will still shift
and the clouds will still spew.
The sun will slowly rise
and the moon will follow too.

Life’s beauty will continue
to flourish all around,
but now you are gone,
these birds have no sound.

And my heart does not beat.
It is still inside my chest.
My tears keep on falling
and my head will not rest.

But I have no choice only
to move through this life.
Endlessly attempting
to fill this longing that is rife.

More...
Go To Complete Poem
- Stories 1
- Shares 6947
- Favorited 27
- Votes 608
- Rating 4.40
Featured Shared Story

This poem is really so good. I feel this poem; it's just amazing.

Touched by the poem? Share your story! (1)
7. Despite The Storms
- By S.C. Lourie
- Published: October 2020 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
Finding Joy Once More

Despite the storms,
beauty arrives like
it was always going to.
Despite the darkness,

Despite the storms,
beauty arrives like
it was always going to.
Despite the darkness,
the light returns.
Despite your loss,
your heart will be
full again.
Despite the breaking,
your heart will feel
like it belongs in the
land of joy once more.
This is how it will
always be. Keep living.

More...
Go To Complete Poem
- Stories 3
- Shares 6997
- Favorited 33
- Votes 457
- Rating 4.36
Featured Shared Story

Part of the last line says, "Keep living." I'm saying keep writing. I like your style and sensitivity. Excellent flow and structure. I really enjoyed it.

Touched by the poem? Share your story! (3)
8. Your Wounds
- By Lauren Jarvis-Gibson
- Published: January 2021 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
You Are Stronger Than Your Scars

Time doesn’t heal wounds
to make you forget.

It doesn’t heal wounds to

Time doesn’t heal wounds
to make you forget.

It doesn’t heal wounds to
erase the memories.

Time leaves you with a scar
to remind you of how you fought through it.

Time leaves you with a scar
to remind you of how you bled

and how you survived.

You survived.

More...
Go To Complete Poem
- Stories 1
- Shares 3003
- Favorited 40
- Votes 535
- Rating 4.47
Featured Shared Story

Very nicely done. I totally agree with you. I've used this same approach in my own life. I think sometime we pay more attention to what we're about to go through instead of how much you've...

Read complete story

Touched by the poem? Share your story! (1)

9. Drowning

This poem comes from Amy O Connor's poetry book, A Beautiful Complexity.
- By Amy O Connor
- Published: October 2020 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
They come in waves,
my feelings for you.
And not pretty whitecaps
dancing at my feet.

They come in waves,
my feelings for you.
And not pretty whitecaps
dancing at my feet.
But when I least expect it.
When life seems to be
a quiet stream of continuity.
They come to disrupt.
So forceful they pull me under,
so that I am drowning and once again,
can’t catch my breath.

More...
Go To Complete Poem
- Stories 0
- Shares 2931
- Favorited 17
- Votes 323
- Rating 4.38
10. The Terrifying Thing About Love

This is a popular piece from Madalina Coman's poetry book Unforgettable.
- By Madalina Coman
- Published: September 2020 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
It is a terrifying thing
to watch love
walk in your direction
when you believe

It is a terrifying thing
to watch love
walk in your direction
when you believe
you are not ready
to receive it.

In the same manner,

it is quite terrifying
watching love
walk away from you
when you are not yet ready
to let go.

More...
Go To Complete Poem
- Stories 1
- Shares 295
- Favorited 18
- Votes 179
- Rating 4.30
Featured Shared Story

Very well written and, in my opinion, very true. I like it and agree totally with it.

Touched by the poem? Share your story! (1)
11. Be Proud Of Who You Are

I try to instill in my daughters that we all are unique, so find yourself and be proud of who you are.
- By S Raine
- Published: November 2010 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
I Am Unique

I come with no wrapping or pretty pink bows.
I am who I am, from my head to my toes.
I tend to get loud when speaking my mind.
Even a little crazy some of the time.

I come with no wrapping or pretty pink bows.
I am who I am, from my head to my toes.
I tend to get loud when speaking my mind.
Even a little crazy some of the time.
I'm not a size 5 and don't care to be.
You can be you and I can be me.
I try to stay strong when pain knocks me down.
And the times that I cry are when no one's around.
To error is human or so that's what they say.
Well, tell me who's perfect anyway.
More...
Go To Complete Poem
- Stories 18
- Shares 29285
- Favorited 218
- Votes 3443
- Rating 4.42
Featured Shared Story

I love this poem! People are always trying to fit in and be normal. I've always disregarded being "normal." What's the point? Why would I be someone I am not? I am perfectly happy the way I...

Read complete story

Touched by the poem? Share your story! (18)
12. Someday

Someday you will miss me and regret that you let me go.
- By Sarah
- Published: February 2008 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
Poem About Anger And Love

Someday you will cry for me
Like I cried for you.
Someday you'll miss me
Like I missed you.

Someday you will cry for me
Like I cried for you.
Someday you'll miss me
Like I missed you.
Someday you'll need me
Like I needed you.
Someday you'll love me,
But I won't love you.
More...
Go To Complete Poem
- Stories 9
- Shares 5318
- Favorited 220
- Votes 2424
- Rating 4.41
Featured Shared Story

That's a wonderful recovery poem. I believe that if one does all they can to make a relationship work and it doesn't, then it's time to move on. And for the one who put their all into it,...

Read complete story

Touched by the poem? Share your story! (9)

13. Secrets Under Trees

Everyone has lies and hurtful secrets they wish to bury, actions they regret and things they want to change. This short poem is about learning to appreciate everything a person has to offer and not just dwelling on their past mistakes.
- By Jessica Knight
- Published: July 2016 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
Poem About Focusing On The Good

Tiny little secrets
Get buried in the dirt,
And if they were dug up,
Someone would probably get hurt,

Tiny little secrets
Get buried in the dirt,
And if they were dug up,
Someone would probably get hurt,
So leave them safely there,
To rot amongst the leaves,
Admiring instead,
The truth in summer's green trees.
More...
Go To Complete Poem
- Stories 4
- Shares 2824
- Favorited 59
- Votes 870
- Rating 4.35
Featured Shared Story

I don’t know if that’s true, because sometimes it's better to hide the hurtful secrets because the world these days will probably laugh at you then do nothing for a few days then decide...

Read complete story

Touched by the poem? Share your story! (4)
14. The Dark Days Will Pass
- By Harpreet M. Dayal
- Published: December 2020 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
There will be dark days,
when you feel alone
with your aching heart
but that doesn’t mean

There will be dark days,
when you feel alone
with your aching heart
but that doesn’t mean
you will always be.
The sun will always
peer through the clouds.
Let its light show you
the love you have forgotten.

More...
Go To Complete Poem
- Stories 1
- Shares 250
- Favorited 28
- Votes 212
- Rating 4.51
Featured Shared Story

I think that is true to every person's life, and what he or she needs is patience that brings a glorious morning after a gloomy night. I had also once gone through such dark days, which later...

Read complete story

Touched by the poem? Share your story! (1)
15. Like The Moon
- By Sabina Laura
- Published: October 2020 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
I will be
like the moon
and learn to shine
even when

I will be
like the moon
and learn to shine
even when
I am not whole.
More...
Go To Complete Poem
- Stories 1
- Shares 178
- Favorited 20
- Votes 143
- Rating 4.47
Featured Shared Story

Very insightful. Self-love can be (and maybe should be) the first love we encounter. Even when we're not perfect.

Touched by the poem? Share your story! (1)
16. Seeing Ourselves Clearly
- By Lauren Bowman
- Published: November 2020 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
It’s difficult to take in the entirety of something
when you are standing inside of it.
Valleys are best seen from peaks.
Mountains from their bases.

It’s difficult to take in the entirety of something
when you are standing inside of it.
Valleys are best seen from peaks.
Mountains from their bases.
The ocean from the shore.
Perhaps this is why we rely on other’s eyes
to see ourselves clearly.
Perhaps this is why we struggle to wholly view
who we are.
More...
Go To Complete Poem
- Stories 2
- Shares 590
- Favorited 15
- Votes 84
- Rating 4.41
Featured Shared Story

One should always keep an open mind when viewing the world around them, and what you say in your beautiful poem is so true, and other people often can see our inner beauty before we do. That...

Read complete story

Touched by the poem? Share your story! (2)
17. Little Baby

Poem about my baby girl and how much she means to me
- By Lisa
- Published: May 2012 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
Mother's Short Poem To Her Baby

Little baby, oh so small
One day you will be big and tall
I watch you while you laugh and play
My love for you grows every day

Little baby, oh so small
One day you will be big and tall
I watch you while you laugh and play
My love for you grows every day
I tell you this with my whole heart
I love you just the way you are
More...
Go To Complete Poem
- Stories 1
- Shares 1558
- Favorited 27
- Votes 425
- Rating 4.35
Featured Shared Story

So true. Before you know it the baby has grown. To a real mom they will forever be your babies.

Touched by the poem? Share your story! (1)
18. The Strength In You

I’ve spent my entire adult life struggling with anxiety, always worrying about the worst case scenario. Even now I don’t know how to love something without being terrified of losing it. If I’m honest, some days I feel like I’m built entirely of glass.
But I think there may be something profound in suffering; in the realisation that you’re stronger than you thought. I think back to the things I’ve been through, and while those experiences left their mark, I take solace in the fact that I’m still here; still pulling breath into these lungs. Maybe strength is a label that’s only earned from resilience; from enduring.
The truth is, I had no idea how much I could take until the world showed me. There is strength here, even if I never wanted to find it.
- By Blake Auden
- Published: April 28, 2021 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
There is
a strength in you
you haven’t even
begun to find.

There is
a strength in you
you haven’t even
begun to find.

And that’s often
how life works.

You won’t know
how strong you are
until the world
forces you
to look.
More...
Go To Complete Poem
- Stories 1
- Shares 134
- Favorited 17
- Votes 68
- Rating 4.32
Featured Shared Story

So true in that we really don't know how one will react until one has been there and has done it! Suffering is an important life experience. Great poem, thanks.

Touched by the poem? Share your story! (1)
19. Smile, Rainbow, A Helping Hand

Everyone has their days when they just need to be themselves.
- By Michelle Ebel
- Published: August 2016 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
At times we need a little smile
or a rainbow big and bright.
At times we need a helping hand
to help us make things right.

At times we need a little smile
or a rainbow big and bright.
At times we need a helping hand
to help us make things right.

At times our belief in ourselves
will teach us how strong we are.
That smile, that rainbow, that helping hand.
Our beliefs will get us far.
More...
Go To Complete Poem
- Stories 0
- Shares 563
- Favorited 34
- Votes 81
- Rating 4.32
20. Don't Neglect Your Love

Sometimes we take love for granted, whether that be your partner or your family. This poem is to remind us to take care of the ones we love.
- By Darren A. Mccallum
- Published: October 2018 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
Cherish The Love You Have

Love is like a bicycle
Left out in the storm
If it's not protected
Rust begins to form

Love is like a bicycle
Left out in the storm
If it's not protected
Rust begins to form

So unless you want your bicycle
To slowly rust away,
Provide a little kindness
When the sky begins to grey.
More...
Go To Complete Poem
- Stories 0
- Shares 2244
- Favorited 40
- Votes 459
- Rating 4.32

1 - 20 of 79

Our Mission

Family Friend Poems provides a curated, safe haven to read and share Loving. Healing. Touching. poems and stories that help heal and offer catharsis through good times and bad. We strive to remain accessible to "real people, real life" while also providing a resource to students, teachers and all those who love popular poetry.

More About Family Friend Poems

Review Stats

Poems (past 30 days)

Published: 10
Pending: 1422
Under 10 Ratings: 1404

Rate Pending Poems

My Review Stats

Top Reviewer Leaderboard

past 48 hours

Jac Judy A. Campbell
- Poems 38
- Avg 3.13
- Quotations 0
- Avg 0
Sylvia Stults
- Poems 23
- Avg 3.39
- Quotations 1
- Avg 5.00
Shawna
- Poems 16
- Avg 4.13
- Quotations 0
- Avg 0
Wendy Evans
- Poems 15
- Avg 2.73
- Quotations 0
- Avg 0
Unnikrishnan Sivasankara Menon
- Poems 14
- Avg 3.93
- Quotations 0
- Avg 0
Raelene J. Elliss
- Poems 7
- Avg 3.86
- Quotations 0
- Avg 0
Divyanshu Sharma
- Poems 5
- Avg 3.40
- Quotations 0
- Avg 0
A.T. Alabi
- Poems 1
- Avg 5.00
- Quotations 0
- Avg 0

It's Your Turn

Review New Poems

You Be The Editor

Report Problem

Seasonal Poetry Collections

Short Poems

Why a Short Poem?

79 Short and Simple Poems

1. Nothing Gold Can Stay

2. Underface

3. A Fallen Leaf

When we are new to love, sometimes we fall too quickly and allow ourselves to be put in situations we end up regretting. Everything changes after that. Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850-1919) was an American author and poet who became known as a poet even before graduating high school.

4. A Day Away

5. Camouflaged

I just write from the heart. Through events in my life, I find putting pen to paper is a great healer.

6. And The World Carries On

7. Despite The Storms

8. Your Wounds

9. Drowning

This poem comes from Amy O Connor's poetry book, A Beautiful Complexity.

10. The Terrifying Thing About Love

This is a popular piece from Madalina Coman's poetry book Unforgettable.

11. Be Proud Of Who You Are

I try to instill in my daughters that we all are unique, so find yourself and be proud of who you are.

12. Someday

Someday you will miss me and regret that you let me go.

13. Secrets Under Trees

Everyone has lies and hurtful secrets they wish to bury, actions they regret and things they want to change. This short poem is about learning to appreciate everything a person has to offer and not just dwelling on their past mistakes.

14. The Dark Days Will Pass

15. Like The Moon

16. Seeing Ourselves Clearly

17. Little Baby

Poem about my baby girl and how much she means to me

18. The Strength In You

19. Smile, Rainbow, A Helping Hand

Everyone has their days when they just need to be themselves.

20. Don't Neglect Your Love

Sometimes we take love for granted, whether that be your partner or your family. This poem is to remind us to take care of the ones we love.