Randi Latzman
The Best Motherhood Poems by Famous Poets
Looking for the most famous poems about motherhood written by famous poets? Well, these are the pinnacle of motherhood poems for sure. Everything there is to be said about the depth of love, the strength of motherhood is in the poems. What’s more astounding is that some of these poems weren’t written by traditionally famous poets, but famous people.
“To My Mother” – Edgar Allan Poe
A heartfelt tribute to a mother’s love, emphasizing its unmatched depth. (read it)“Mother o’ Mine” – Rudyard Kipling
A short yet powerful poem expressing gratitude for a mother’s enduring love. (read it)“I am Human, I am a Mother” – Randi Latzman
So poignant . . . from the point of view of a mother whose love is far greater than all the mistakes she made mothering. (read it)“Morning Song” – Sylvia Plath
A raw and beautifully complex poem about the early days of motherhood and the bond between mother and child. (read it)“Nature–The Gentlest Mother is” – Emily Dickinson
Though Dickinson wrote little directly about motherhood, some of her poems, like this one, reflect on maternal care and influence. (read it)“Mother and Poet” – Elizabeth Barrett Browning
A dramatic monologue about a mother grieving her sons lost in war, emphasizing the dual roles of motherhood and artistry. (read it)“Your Mother Dwindles” – Margaret Atwood
A meditation on the anticipation and transformation of becoming a mother. (read it)- “To My Mother” – Robert Louis Stevenson
In this most heartfelt tribute, Stevenson reflects on his relationship with his mother. (read it) - “Tribute to Mother” – John Greenleaf Whittier
In this poem Whittier thanks his mother for the discipline she instilled in him. (read it) - “There Was a Child Went Forth” – Walt Whitman
Something special about the simple ways a mother goes about her thing. (read it)
Much comfort comes from poems whose authors have already proven themselves to us. It’s almost as if we have to overcome doubt and incredulity when reading the poem of an unknown soul.
Starting off your “speech” with “I’d like to share this poem of Walt Whitman” . . . builds a sense of excitement and impending joy. What’s more amazing is there aren’t that many famous poems about motherhood by famous poets. Motherhood seems to have not been an oft topic.
Here are 10 more famous poems by famous people, but have you heard of them? While the first 10 are famous to everyone, these will likely only be famous to those steeped in the literary world.
“The Mother” – Gwendolyn Brooks
A deeply moving poem that reflects on motherhood, loss, and memory.“Sonnets are Full of Love” – Christina Rossetti
A sonnet celebrating a mother’s love as the foundation of all love in life.“Mothers” – Nikki Giovanni
A powerful poem about the wisdom, strength, and sacrifices of mothers across generations.“The Portrait” – Stanley Kunitz
A haunting poem about the lingering impact of a mother’s grief and how it shapes a child’s life.“In Reference to Her Children” – Anne Bradstreet
A 17th-century poem in which Bradstreet compares her children to birds, celebrating her role as a mother while contemplating their eventual departure.“Songs My Mother Taught Me” – Adolf Heyduk (translated by Natalie Macfarren)
Later set to music by Dvořák, this poem reflects on the wisdom and songs passed down from mother to child.“The Mother” – Gwendolyn Brooks
A poignant and deeply emotional poem addressing themes of loss and memory in motherhood.“Rock Me to Sleep” – Elizabeth Akers Allen
A nostalgic reflection on the comfort and security of a mother’s embrace.“My Mother” – Ann Taylor
A touching appreciation of a mother’s sacrifices and devotion.“The Lanyard” – Billy Collins
A humorous yet moving poem about a child’s attempt to repay a mother’s endless love with a simple gift.“Only One Mother” – George Cooper
A simple yet profound celebration of the uniqueness and irreplaceable role of a mother.
Which one did you like the best? Was it from one of the most famous writers? Or from someone famous just for writing poetry?
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