Famous Retaining Poems by Famous Poets

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

See also:

Sonnet XII: That Learned Father

by Michael Drayton
 To the Soul

That learned Father, who so firmly proves 
The Soul of man immortal and divine, 
And doth the several offices define: 
Anima - Gives her that name, as she the Body moves; 
Amor - Then is she Love, embracing charity; 
Animus - Moving a Will in us, it is the Mind 
Mens - Retaining knowledge, still the same...Read more of this...

Army Headquarters

by Rudyard Kipling
 Ahasuerus Jenkins of the "Operatic Own,"
Was dowered with a tenor voice of super-Santley tone.
His views on equitation were, perhaps, a trifle *****.
He had no seat worth mentioning, but oh! he had an ear.

He clubbed his wretched company a dozen times a day;
He used to quit his charger in a parabolic way;
His method of saluting was the joy of all...Read more of this...

The Shield Of A Greeting

by David Lehman
 for J.A., December 3, 1975


Ashes that survive the aftermath of fire
Bury the past bravely, retaining
Only those messages that are least decipherable
And therefore most desirable
To be sung by the bright-eyed few remaining
Voices of our frankly foolish choir....Read more of this...

Dont forget to view our wonderful member Retaining 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