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7 Poems about Youth: The Beauty of Growing Up

The Beauty of Being Young: A Collection of Poems About Youth

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Poems about youth – This period of our lives is a time of endless possibilities, a time of innocence and hope. It’s a time when we dream big, make mistakes and grow into the person we are meant to be. In this article, we present seven poems that capture the essence of youth and the memories it leaves behind.

7 poems about youth
When I was one-and-twenty
       I heard a wise man say,
“Give crowns and pounds and guineas
       But not your heart away;
Give pearls away and rubies
       But keep your fancy free.”
But I was one-and-twenty,
       No use to talk to me.
 
When I was one-and-twenty
       I heard him say again,
“The heart out of the bosom
       Was never given in vain;
’Tis paid with sighs a plenty
       And sold for endless rue.”
And I am two-and-twenty,
       And oh, ’tis true, ’tis true.
O my Luve is like a red, red rose
   That’s newly sprung in June;
O my Luve is like the melody
   That’s sweetly played in tune.
 
So fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
   So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
   Till a’ the seas gang dry.
 
Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,
   And the rocks melt wi’ the sun;
I will love thee still, my dear,
   While the sands o’ life shall run.
 
And fare thee weel, my only luve!
   And fare thee weel awhile!
And I will come again, my luve,
   Though it were ten thousand mile.
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
 
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
 
The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
 
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
When you are old and grey and full of sleep,
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;
 
How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true,
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face;
 
And bending down beside the glowing bars,
Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled
And paced upon the mountains overhead
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.
It was many and many a year ago,
   In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
   By the name of Annabel Lee;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
   Than to love and be loved by me.
 
I was a child and she was a child,
   In this kingdom by the sea,
But we loved with a love that was more than love—
   I and my Annabel Lee—
With a love that the wingèd seraphs of Heaven
   Coveted her and me.
 
And this was the reason that, long ago,
   In this kingdom by the sea,
A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling
   My beautiful Annabel Lee;
So that her highborn kinsmen came
   And bore her away from me,
To shut her up in a sepulchre
   In this kingdom by the sea.
 
The angels, not half so happy in Heaven,
   Went envying her and me—
Yes!—that was the reason (as all men know,
   In this kingdom by the sea)
That the wind came out of the cloud by night,
   Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee.
 
But our love it was stronger by far than the love
   Of those who were older than we—
   Of many far wiser than we—
And neither the angels in Heaven above
   Nor the demons down under the sea
Can ever dissever my soul from the soul
   Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
 
For the moon never beams, without bringing me dreams
   Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And the stars never rise, but I feel the bright eyes
   Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side
   Of my darling—my darling—my life and my bride,
   In her sepulchre there by the sea—
   In her tomb by the sounding sea.
Had we but world enough and time,
This coyness, lady, were no crime.
We would sit down, and think which way
To walk, and pass our long love’s day.
Thou by the Indian Ganges’ side
Shouldst rubies find; I by the tide
Of Humber would complain. I would
Love you ten years before the flood,
And you should, if you please, refuse
Till the conversion of the Jews.
My vegetable love should grow
Vaster than empires and more slow;
An hundred years should go to praise
Thine eyes, and on thy forehead gaze;
Two hundred to adore each breast,
But thirty thousand to the rest;
An age at least to every part,
And the last age should show your heart.
For, lady, you deserve this state,
Nor would I love at lower rate.
       But at my back I always hear
Time’s wingèd chariot hurrying near;
And yonder all before us lie
Deserts of vast eternity.
Thy beauty shall no more be found;
Nor, in thy marble vault, shall sound
My echoing song; then worms shall try
That long-preserved virginity,
And your quaint honour turn to dust,
And into ashes all my lust;
The grave’s a fine and private place,
But none, I think, do there embrace.
       Now therefore, while the youthful hue
Sits on thy skin like morning dew,
And while thy willing soul transpires
At every pore with instant fires,
Now let us sport us while we may,
And now, like amorous birds of prey,
Rather at once our time devour
Than languish in his slow-chapped power.
Let us roll all our strength and all
Our sweetness up into one ball,
And tear our pleasures with rough strife
Through the iron gates of life:
Thus, though we cannot make our sun
Stand still, yet we will make him run.
When I was fair and young, then favor graced me.
Of many was I sought their mistress for to be.
But I did scorn them all and answered them therefore:
Go, go, go, seek some other where; importune me no more.
 
How many weeping eyes I made to pine in woe,
How many sighing hearts I have not skill to show,
But I the prouder grew and still this spake therefore:
Go, go, go, seek some other where, importune me no more.
 
Then spake fair Venus’ son, that proud victorious boy,
Saying: You dainty dame, for that you be so coy,
I will so pluck your plumes as you shall say no more:
Go, go, go, seek some other where, importune me no more.
 
As soon as he had said, such change grew in my breast
That neither night nor day I could take any rest.
Wherefore I did repent that I had said before:
Go, go, go, seek some other where, importune me no more.
  1. “When I was One-and-Twenty” by A.E. Housman This poem expresses the regret of a young man who rejected the advice of an older person. In the end, he realizes the wisdom of that advice and wishes he had listened. The poem highlights the impetuousness of youth and the value of learning from experience.

  2. “A Red, Red Rose” by Robert Burns This classic poem by Robert Burns explores the power and intensity of first love. The speaker expresses his love for a young woman, declaring that his love will be constant and eternal. Through its themes of love and passion, this poem captures the intensity and innocence of youth and reminds us of the power of love in our lives.

  3. “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” by William Wordsworth This poem is about the beauty of nature and how it can bring peace and joy to the soul. The speaker wanders through a field of daffodils, reminding us of the simple pleasures of youth, such as spending time outdoors and appreciating the beauty around us.

  4. “When You Are Old” by W.B. Yeats This poem is addressed to a future version of the beloved, urging her to remember the beauty and passion of their youth. It highlights the fleeting nature of youth and how quickly it passes, and how the memories of it can bring comfort in old age.

  5. “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe This poem is a haunting love story about a young couple separated by death. The speaker’s love for Annabel Lee is as strong in death as it was in life, and the poem reflects the youthful passion and intensity of first love.

  6. “To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell This poem is a seductive plea from a young man to his beloved, urging her to seize the moment and make the most of their youth. It highlights the urgency of youth and the need to make the most of the time we have.

  7. “When I Was Fair and Young” by Queen Elizabeth I This poem was written by Queen Elizabeth I when she was in her twenties and reflects on her youthful beauty and the transitory nature of youth. The poem highlights the fleeting nature of youth and how quickly it passes, and how it is often only in retrospect that we fully appreciate its beauty.

Reflections on Innocence and Hope

Youth is often characterized by innocence, hope and a sense of limitless possibility. These qualities are reflected in many poems about youth, which offer a nostalgic glimpse into the beauty and wonder of this stage of life. In these poems, the speaker often looks back on their youth with fondness, recalling the simple pleasures and boundless energy that characterized this time. Whether it’s the wanderings through fields of daffodils, or the passionate intensity of first love, these poems evoke a sense of wistful longing for the beauty and innocence of youth.

The Power of Decisions: The Importance of Choice

Many poems about youth focus on the choices we make and how they shape our future. Whether it’s the decision to take a less-traveled road, or to seize the moment and make the most of our youth, these poems emphasize the importance of decision-making and the consequences of our choices. Through their themes of self-discovery and individuality, these poems encourage us to embrace our youth as a time to explore, take risks and chart our own course. In doing so, they remind us that our choices in youth can have a profound impact on the rest of our lives.

The Transience of Youth

Youth is often seen as a fleeting stage of life, one that passes by all too quickly. Many poems about youth reflect on this transience, exploring the idea that youth is a time that is gone as soon as it has arrived. Whether it’s the regret of missed opportunities or the haunting love story of a young couple separated by death, these poems evoke a sense of urgency and poignancy, reminding us to cherish the moments of our youth before they slip away. Through their themes of loss and impermanence, these poems underscore the importance of making the most of our youth while we have the chance.

10 Great Questions & Answers on the Subject of Poems about Youth

One of the most common themes in poems about youth is the fleeting nature of youth, the idea that this stage of life is brief and quickly fades into the past. Other common themes include the beauty of nature, the power of choices, and the passion and innocence of first love.

Some of the most famous poets who have written about youth include William Wordsworth, Robert Frost, Edgar Allan Poe, A.E. Housman, W.B. Yeats, Andrew Marvell, and Queen Elizabeth I.

Many poems about youth reflect on the past by looking back on the speaker’s own youth with nostalgia and fondness. These poems often evoke memories of simple pleasures, boundless energy, and the sense of wonder that characterized this stage of life. They offer a glimpse into the past and remind us of the beauty and magic of youth.

In poems about youth, decision-making is often seen as a critical moment that shapes the speaker’s future. These poems emphasize the importance of taking risks, making choices, and embracing individuality, as well as the consequences of these choices. They remind us that our choices in youth can have a profound impact on the rest of our lives.

Poems about youth often explore the idea of transience by reflecting on the fleeting nature of youth and the sense of urgency that comes with it. These poems often evoke a sense of loss, reminding us that youth is a time that passes quickly and cannot be regained. They encourage us to make the most of our youth while we have the chance.

Many poems about youth reflect on the beauty of nature by exploring the connection between youth and the natural world. These poems often evoke memories of wanderings through fields, hills, and forests, capturing the sense of wonder and awe that nature inspires. Through their themes of nature and youth, these poems remind us of the importance of preserving the beauty of the natural world.

Love often plays a central role in poems about youth, reflecting the passion and intensity that characterizes this stage of life. Whether it’s the intense longing of first love, the regret of lost love, or the memories of a love that once was, these poems explore the complex emotions that love inspires. Through their themes of love and passion, these poems remind us of the power and importance of love in youth.

Regret often plays an important role in poems about youth, reflecting the sense of missed opportunities and missed chances that can come with this stage of life. These poems often explore the idea that youth is a time that is gone as soon as it has arrived, encouraging us to cherish the moments of our youth before they slip away. Through their themes of regret and loss, these poems underscore the importance of making the most of our youth while we have the chance.

Many poems about youth reflect on individuality and self-discovery by exploring the importance of taking risks, making choices, and embracing individuality. These poems often emphasize the power of decision-making, encouraging us to chart our own course and make the most of our youth. Through their themes of self-discovery and individuality, these poems encourage

  1. Poems about youth often reflect on the fleeting nature of youth and the sense of urgency that comes with it. Through their themes of nature, first love, decision-making, and self-discovery, these poems remind readers of the importance of cherishing the moments

 

Poems about Youth: Another Deep Dive into the Emotions of Young People

Lost Youth Youth is a fleeting moment in life, and many poets have written about the loss of this time and the memories it holds. In poems about youth, the poets often capture the emotions of longing for a time when life was simple and carefree. The memories of youth are powerful and evoke deep emotions, reminding us of the joy and innocence of our childhood days.

Dear Old Town

Many poems about youth are nostalgic, evoking memories of a place that the poet once knew. Dear old town, a place where the poet lived, is often remembered with fondness and a sense of longing. These poems are a tribute to the places that shaped us and helped to form our characters. They are a celebration of the simple pleasures of life and the memories that we carry with us always.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was one of the great American poets of the 19th century. His poetry was often centered on youth and the loss of innocence. In his poems, Longfellow captures the spirit of youth and the sense of longing that comes with it. He speaks of the beauty of childhood and the pain of growing up, capturing the emotions of the young and the old alike.

Young People

Poems about youth often focus on the experiences of young people, capturing the energy and excitement of youth. These poems are a celebration of the courage, determination, and spirit of young people. They speak of the joys and challenges of growing up and the lessons learned along the way. Whether it is the thrill of falling in love, the fear of growing up, or the pain of loss, these poems capture the experiences that shape young people and help to define who they are.

Pleasant Streets

Pleasant streets is a term used to describe the streets of a small town, where life is slow and simple. These streets are often associated with childhood memories, a time when life was carefree and filled with laughter. In poems about youth, the term “pleasant street” is often used to evoke memories of a time when life was simpler and the world was a kinder place.

Lapland Song

Lapland is a region in northern Finland known for its stunning landscapes and unspoiled natural beauty. In the poem “Lapland Song,” the poet speaks of the beauty of the land and the simple joys of life. This poem is a celebration of youth and the memories it holds, reminding us of the beauty of nature and the peace it brings.

Best Poems

Poems about youth are a reflection of the poet’s personal experiences and the emotions they evoke. The best poems about youth are those that are heartfelt, capturing the essence of youth and the emotions that come with it. Whether it is the pain of loss, the excitement of first love, or the fear of growing up, these poems speak to us all, reminding us of the experiences that have shaped our lives.

Beautiful Town

The town of our childhood is often remembered with fondness and a sense of longing. In poems about youth, the term “beautiful town” is often used to evoke memories of a time when life was simple and the world was a kinder place. These poems celebrate the beauty of childhood, the memories it holds, and the lessons learned along the way.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Ella Wheeler Wilcox was an American poet and writer who wrote about the experiences of young people. Her poem “A Song of Youth” captures the excitement and energy of youth, and the hope that comes with it. In this poem, Wilcox speaks of the desire for a life filled with adventure and the drive to make a difference in the world.

Conclusion

Poems about youth are a beautiful way to capture the experiences and emotions of young people. From the carefree days of childhood to the struggles and triumphs of growing up, these poems provide a window into the lives of young people and the world they inhabit. Whether you’re a young person looking for inspiration or simply a lover of poetry, these poems are a must-read.

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