Famous Impromptu Poems by Famous Poets

These are examples of famous Impromptu poems written by some of the greatest and most-well-known modern and classical poets. PoetrySoup is a great educational poetry resource of famous impromptu poems. These examples illustrate what a famous impromptu poem looks like and its form, scheme, or style (where appropriate).

See also:

Impromptu to Lady Winchelsea

by Alexander Pope
 In vain you boast Poetic Names of yore,
And cite those Sapho's we admire no more:
Fate doom'd the Fall of ev'ry Female Wit,
But doom'd it then when first Ardelia writ.
Of all Examples by the World confest,
I knew Ardelia could not quote the best;
Who, like her Mistress on Britannia's Throne;
Fights, and subdues in Quarrels not her own.
To write their Praise you...Read more of this...

251. Impromptu Lines to Captain Riddell

by Robert Burns
 YOUR News and Review, sir.
 I’ve read through and through, sir,
With little admiring or blaming;
 The Papers are barren
 Of home-news or foreign,
No murders or rapes worth the naming.


 Our friends, the Reviewers,
 Those chippers and hewers,
Are judges of mortar and stone, sir;
 But of meet or unmeet,
 In a fabric complete,
I’ll boldly pronounce they are none, sir;


 My...Read more of this...

So Long

by Walt Whitman
 1
TO conclude—I announce what comes after me; 
I announce mightier offspring, orators, days, and then, for the present, depart. 

I remember I said, before my leaves sprang at all, 
I would raise my voice jocund and strong, with reference to consummations. 

When America does what was promis’d,
When there are plentiful athletic bards, inland and seaboard, 
When through These States...Read more of this...

414. Impromptu on Dumourier's Desertion of the French Republican Army

by Robert Burns
 YOU’RE welcome to Despots, Dumourier;
You’re welcome to Despots, Dumourier:
 How does Dampiere do?
 Ay, and Bournonville too?
Why did they not come along with you, Dumourier?


I will fight France with you, Dumourier;
I will fight France with you, Dumourier;
 I will fight France with you,
 I will take my chance with you;
By my soul, I’ll dance with you, Dumourier.


Then let us...Read more of this...

178. Impromptu on Carron Iron Works

by Robert Burns
 WE cam na here to view your warks,
 In hopes to be mair wise,
But only, lest we gang to hell,
 It may be nae surprise:
But when we tirl’d at your door
 Your porter dought na hear us;
Sae may, shou’d we to Hell’s yetts come,
 Your billy Satan sair us!...Read more of this...

A March in the Ranks Hard-prest

by Walt Whitman
 A MARCH in the ranks hard-prest, and the road unknown; 
A route through a heavy wood, with muffled steps in the darkness; 
Our army foil’d with loss severe, and the sullen remnant retreating; 
Till after midnight glimmer upon us, the lights of a dim-lighted building; 
We come to an open space in the woods, and halt by the dim-lighted...Read more of this...

438. Impromptu on Mrs. Riddell's Birthday

by Robert Burns
 OLD Winter, with his frosty beard,
Thus once to Jove his prayer preferred:
“What have I done of all the year,
To bear this hated doom severe?
My cheerless suns no pleasure know;
Night’s horrid car drags, dreary slow;
My dismal months no joys are crowning,
But spleeny English hanging, drowning.


“Now Jove, for once be mighty civil.
To counterbalance all this evil;
Give me, and I’ve no more...Read more of this...

Dont forget to view our wonderful member Impromptu poems.

Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace