Famous Reforming Poems by Famous Poets

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

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A Satisfactory Reform

by Ellis Parker Butler
 A merry burgomaster
 In a burgh upon the Rhine
Said, “Our burghers all are
 Far too fond of drinking wine.”
So the merry burgomaster,
 When the burgomasters met,
Bade them look into the matter
 Ere the thing went farther yet.

And the merry burgomasters
 Did decide the only way
To alleviate the evil
 Without worry or delay
Would be just to call a meeting
 Of...Read more of this...

To His Noble Friend Mr. Richard Lovelace Upon His Poems

by Andrew Marvell
 Sir, 
Our times are much degenerate from those 
Which your sweet muse with your fair fortune chose, 
And as complexions alter with the climes, 
Our wits have drawn the infection of our times. 
That candid age no other way could tell 
To be ingenious, but by speaking well. 
Who best could praise had then the greatest praise, 
'Twas more...Read more of this...

A Satyre Against Mankind

by John Wilmot
 Were I - who to my cost already am
One of those strange, prodigious creatures, man -
A spirit free to choose for my own share
What sort of flesh and blood I pleased to wear,
I'd be a dog, a monkey, or a bear,
Or anything but that vain animal,
Who is so proud of being rational.

His senses are too gross; and he'll contrive
A...Read more of this...

Ode for the Keats Centenary

by Duncan Campbell Scott
 The Muse is stern unto her favoured sons,
Giving to some the keys of all the joy
Of the green earth, but holding even that joy
Back from their life;
Bidding them feed on hope,
A plant of bitter growth,
Deep-rooted in the past;
Truth, 'tis a doubtful art
To make Hope sweeten
Time as it flows;
For no man knows
Until the very last,
Whether it be a sovereign herb...Read more of this...

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