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Poetry is kind of like my secret love language.
Whether it’s the electric vibe of slam poetry or the timeless beauty of the classics, there’s something about it that just gets me.
I love how slam poetry brings all that energy and truth right to your face, while classic poetry feels like an old friend who’s been around for ages and still manages to speak to you in a way that feels so personal.
Modern poetry can be fast and in-the-moment, while classics have that lasting, soulful pull.
In this post, I’m sharing 28 classic poetry books that are totally worth reading.
They’ve got that deep, emotional punch that never gets old, so you’ll love them.
Popular Classic Poetry Books to Check Out ASAP
1. The Waste Land by T.S. Eliot
This one’s a trip. Eliot dives deep into the messiness of life after World War I, pulling from myths, history, and everything in between.
It’s layered, chaotic, and honestly feels so relevant even now.
I didn’t get it all at first (who does?), but it left me thinking about how brokenness can be beautiful.
2. Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
Whitman is like that super chill, wise uncle who makes you see the world differently.
His poems are all about freedom, nature, and being unapologetically yourself.
It’s raw and real – reading this felt like taking a long walk and realizing how connected everything is. It’s just uplifting.
3. The Collected Poems of W.B. Yeats
Yeats’ poetry hits a lot of emotional notes – love, heartbreak, politics, mysticism – you name it.
He’s deeply Irish, but his themes feel universal.
What stuck with me was how his poems balance being dreamy and super grounded at the same time.
It’s the kind of stuff that lingers in your head for days.
4. The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson
Dickinson is so good at saying a lot with just a few words.
Her poems tackle heavy stuff like death and eternity, but there’s also this sharp, playful side to her writing.
I’d read one and think, Wait, what? but then it’d hit me later like a ton of bricks.
Her work feels like a conversation with yourself.
5. The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri
Dante takes you on a wild journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven.
It’s intense, but also surprisingly human – about choices, redemption, and love.
Honestly, it’s worth the read just to see how relatable 14th-century existential dread can be.
Plus, those vivid descriptions? Chef’s kiss.
6. Paradise Lost by John Milton
This one’s epic in every sense. Milton’s take on Adam and Eve’s story makes you think about big stuff like free will and forgiveness.
I wasn’t expecting to feel for Satan, but Milton made him such a complex character. It’s a challenging read, but so worth it.
7. The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
Chaucer’s collection of tales is hilarious, weird, and surprisingly relatable.
Each pilgrim has a story, and they’re all wildly different, from funny to tragic.
It’s like binge-watching a medieval Netflix series. The humor and drama make it so much fun.
8. The Odyssey by Homer
Odysseus is just trying to get home, but life (and the gods) keep throwing him curveballs.
It’s a story about perseverance, love, and cleverness.
I love how even thousands of years later, the struggles and emotions still feel so familiar. It’s literally the original adventure story.
9. Sonnets by William Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s sonnets are little nuggets of genius about love, time, and beauty.
They’re short, but man, do they pack a punch.
I loved how they can feel so personal, like he’s talking directly to you. My favorite? The ones where he gets real about time and aging – they hit hard.
10. The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes
Hughes’ poetry is so honest and heartfelt. He writes about dreams, struggles, and hope in a way that’s both simple and powerful.
His words felt like a reminder to stay resilient no matter what.
I kept going back to certain lines because they just stick with you.
Must-Read Classic Poetry Books by Women to Read
1. Ariel by Sylvia Plath
This one hits like a lightning bolt. Plath’s poems are intense, personal, and painfully honest.
She writes about love, loss, and identity with a fierceness that’s hard to shake. I was completely drawn in by how she makes darkness so beautiful.
2. The Dream of a Common Language by Adrienne Rich
Rich writes about relationships, feminism, and the weight of being human.
Her poems feel like conversations you’ve always needed to have.
I found myself nodding along, like, Yes, exactly! She’s direct but somehow still so lyrical – perfect if you’re in a reflective mood.
3. The Essential Rumi (translated by Coleman Barks)
Okay, technically Rumi’s the poet here, but Barks’ translations bring a magical touch, and they wouldn’t exist without her influence.
The poems are mystical, romantic, and just overflowing with love for life. They feel like warm advice from a wise soul.
4. Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
Love it or hate it, Kaur’s work speaks to a generation.
It’s raw and simple, covering heartbreak, healing, and empowerment.
I remember feeling like I was reading someone’s diary – messy, vulnerable, and oh-so-relatable. It’s a good entry point if you’re new to poetry.
5. Wild Iris by Louise Glück
This book is haunting and breathtaking.
Glück writes about nature, loss, and the human condition with so much grace.
Her poems are quiet yet powerful, like whispers that echo in your mind.
This is the kind of book you read slowly so that you can savor every word.
6. Averno by Louise Glück
Yes, she’s on here twice, but hear me out. Averno dives into death and the myths surrounding it, especially Persephone’s story.
It’s dark, thoughtful, and strangely comforting.
I loved how she turns ancient themes into something so deeply personal.
7. Howl and Other Poems by Diane di Prima
Diane di Prima’s poetry is rebellious and unapologetically bold.
She tackles politics, love, and spirituality with a raw energy that feels so alive.
I found her voice so refreshing. And, it’s like she’s daring you to feel everything, all at once.
8. Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine
This is part poetry, part essay, and 100% powerful.
Rankine tackles race, identity, and injustice in a way that’s impossible to ignore.
Her words hit hard, but they also open your eyes. I couldn’t stop thinking about this book long after I finished it.
9. The Moon Is Always Female by Marge Piercy
Piercy writes about womanhood, resilience, and connection with so much heart.
Her poems feel grounded, like they come straight from lived experience.
I loved how she celebrates the strength and vulnerability of being human.
10. Blue Horses by Mary Oliver
Mary Oliver always brings you back to nature, but in Blue Horses, there’s this extra layer of tenderness and reflection.
Her poems are simple but so full of life.
Reading this felt like stepping outside and breathing in fresh air – it’s calming and uplifting in the best way.
Top Romantic Classic Poetry Books
1. Sonnets from the Portuguese by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
If you’ve ever heard How do I love thee? Let me count the ways, this is where it’s from.
Browning’s love poems for her husband are so raw and intimate, you feel like you’re peeking into her heart.
It’s impossible not to be moved by her sincerity and devotion.
2. Love Poems by Pablo Neruda
Neruda’s love poems are pure magic. His words are sensual, tender, and overflowing with passion.
Reading this felt like sinking into the most romantic parts of life.
My favorite thing? The way he makes the smallest moments – like the way someone smiles – feel monumental.
3. The Love Poems of Rumi
Rumi’s poetry is love in its purest form – spiritual, romantic, and universal.
His words have this way of reaching right into your heart and soul.
Whether he’s writing about human connection or divine love, it feels timeless and uplifting.
4. Bright Star: Love Letters and Poems of John Keats to Fanny Brawne
Keats’ letters and poems to his muse Fanny are heartbreakingly beautiful.
You can feel every ounce of longing and adoration he had for her.
It’s romantic in that deep, yearning way that makes you want to write a love letter of your own.
5. Selected Poems by Christina Rossetti
Rossetti’s poetry is dreamy and melancholic, often dwells deeply on the ideas of love and loss.
I love how she captures both the joy and pain that come with love.
Her writing feels delicate yet powerful, like holding a rose with thorns.
6. The Collected Poems of William Wordsworth
Wordsworth’s love for nature often intertwines with his romantic ideals to create something so unique.
His poems feel like a soft, lingering embrace.
I found his ability to connect love with the natural world both soothing and refreshing.
7. A Shropshire Lad by A.E. Housman
Housman’s poems are simple yet profound and often reflect on love, youth, and fleeting happiness.
There’s a bittersweet quality to his work that makes it feel deeply human.
It’s the kind of poetry that makes you think about love’s fragility and beauty.
8. The Poetry of Robert Burns
Burns’ romantic poems are full of passion and charm.
His words are timeless, heartfelt, and full of Scottish warmth.
A Red, Red Rose is probably one of the most iconic love poems ever written, and it’s still as moving as the day it was penned.
9. Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám (translated by Edward FitzGerald)
This Persian classic is all about love, life, and enjoying the moment.
The language is lush and romantic, with a touch of philosophical depth.
It’s perfect for when you’re feeling reflective but still want a bit of romance.
10. Love Poems and Sonnets of William Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s sonnets are the gold standard of romantic poetry.
Whether he’s writing about the beauty of a lover or the inevitability of time, his words are endlessly quotable.
It’s amazing how he can capture the complexities of love in just 14 lines.
I hope one (or more) of these books sparks something in you.
Don’t forget to check out the related posts for more poetry recommendations, and share your thoughts in the comments below.
Which classic poetry book are you excited to read?
