14 Most Popular Poems by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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  • My Lost Youth

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    in Famous Narrative Poems

    This poem could be considered a lyrical autobiography of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s early years. He remembers his hometown and the boy he was many years ago. Even though he has grown, he can still feel like a child again by returning to his hometown of Portland, Maine (which was still part of Massachusetts when he was born in 1807). All his memories are tucked into the many places of the city. This poem has a strong sense of structure with the repetition of the last two lines of each stanza.

    Often I think of the beautiful town
    That is seated by the sea;
    Often in thought go up and down
    The pleasant streets of that dear old town,

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    I was born in a village away from the busy city. My village was blessed with many natural resources like streams, mountains, and small scale waterfalls. Most of the villagers were farmers....

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  • The Cross Of Snow

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    in Famous Death Poems

    The Cross of Snow, a Sonnet, is an expression of grief by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow over the tragic death of his wife by fire. The poem was written eighteen years after her death. While trying to save her, Longfellow was burnt on his face. After which he stopped shaving and grew the distinctive beard which he is known by.

    In the long, sleepless watches of the night,
    A gentle face — the face of one long dead —
    Looks at me from the wall, where round its head
    The night-lamp casts a halo of pale light.

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  • Paul Revere's Ride

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    in Famous Narrative Poems

    This poem recounts the night of April 18, 1775 when Paul Revere rode through Massachusetts warning of the British's arrival. While this is based on a historical event, there are some fictional aspects. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was inspired to write this poem after visiting Old North Church, where the lanterns were held that night in 1775. Longfellow's grandfather was actually Paul Revere's commander on the Penobscot Expedition in 1779.

    Listen my children and you shall hear
    Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,
    On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five;
    Hardly a man is now alive

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  • Afternoon In February

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    in Famous Death Poems

    Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) wrote a lot of light-hearted poems, but this is one of the more somber ones. This poem contain symbolism: the short days of February are compared to sadness. Both are dark and feel lifeless. Even the short length of each line contributes to the tone of this poem and the connection to the short February days. The Rhyme Scheme is AABC.

    The day is ending,
    The night is descending;
    The marsh is frozen,
    The river dead.

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