Poems in the Public Domain
InterPure
Poetry “sings the language” and connects people
Poetry can be a powerful way to express emotions and thoughts. It helps express and process feelings, which contributes to emotional development. In addition, poetry encourages creative thinking and language skills.Moreover, poetry can help us feel connected to others. Reading and writing poems allows us to share experiences and perspectives, which promotes empathy and understanding. And of course poetry can also be a source of comfort and inspiration, especially in difficult times.Two poems are added to the site every month. I would like others to enjoy these poems too. Poetry “sings the language” and connects people. A word is dead, when it is said Some say - I say it just begins to live That day Emily Dickinson | Listen
About
InterPure is a personal website. Over the years hundreds of poems in the public domain have been colleted. The poems and poets can be found on the worldwide web. If you are charmed by a poet, you can search the internet for more poems and background information on the poet. Two new poems are posted on the site every month. After ten poems have been replaced by new ones, the replaced poems are bundled into a PDF document and are available to download for free. This way, you can still enjoy the poems you missed. More poems on our Pinterest-site! Download poems 2025 Do you work in education? Then take a look at blomke.com. Here you will find poems with assignments for students.
Copyright Interpure 2026
Contact
It is best to use the form to contact us. By submitting the form, you agree to store your name and email address in our database so that we can notify you when poems are available for download on our site. Email: mailADDinterpure.nl Web: https://interpure.nl The NetherlandsFame
Charlotte Mew (1869-1928) Sometimes in the over-heated house, but not for long, Smirking and speaking rather loud, I see myself among the crowd, Where no one fits the singer to his song, Or sifts the unpainted from the painted faces Of the people who are always on my stair; They were not with me when I walked in heavenly places; But could I spare In the blind Earth’s great silences and spaces, The din, the scuffle, the long stare If I went back and it was not there? Back to the old known things that are the new, The folded glory of the gorse, the sweet-briar air, To the larks that cannot praise us, knowing nothing of what we do And the divine, wise trees that do not care Yet, to leave Fame, still with such eyes and that bright hair! God! If I might! And before I go hence Take in her stead To our tossed bed, One little dream, no matter how small, how wild. Just now, I think I found it in a field, under a fence— A frail, dead, new-born lamb, ghostly and pitiful and white, A blot upon the night, The moon’s dropped child!With Child
Genevieve Taggard (1894-1948) Now I am slow and placid, fond of sun, Like a sleek beast, or a worn one: No slim and languid girl—not glad With the windy trip I once had, But velvet-footed, musing of my own, Torpid, mellow, stupid as a stone. You cleft me with your beauty’s pulse, and now Your pulse has taken body. Care not how The old grace goes, how heavy I am grown, Big with this loneliness, how you alone Ponder our love. Touch my feet and feel How earth tingles, teeming at my heel! Earth’s urge, not mine,—my little death, not hers; And the pure beauty yearns and stirs. It does not heed our ecstacies, it turns With secrets of its own, its own concerns, Toward a windy world of its own, toward stark And solitary places. In the dark, Defiant even now, it tugs and moans To be untangled from these mother’s bones.A rose has thorns as well as honey
Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) A rose has thorns as well as honey, I’ll not have her for love or money; An iris grows so straight and fine, That she shall be no friend of mine; Snowdrops like the snow would chill me; Nightshade would caress and kill me; Crocus like a spear would fright me; Dragon’s-mouth might bark or bite me; Convolvulus but blooms to die; A wind-flower suggests a sigh; Love-lies-bleeding makes me sad; And poppy-juice would drive me mad:— But give me holly, bold and jolly, Honest, prickly, shining holly; Pluck me holly leaf and berry For the day when I make merry.O Málik! I pray thee go for the wine full early
Abu Nuwas (760-814) O Málik! I pray thee go for the wine full early, And if it be dear to buy, then buy it dearly! Bethink thee how once a grizzled old tavern-keeper, Whose whiskers were black with blowing the tarry wineskin, I called, as he lay where slumber had stolen o’er him — His head sunk low, the left hand’s palm his pillow; And he at my cry arose with a start of terror, And hastened to light the wick, and it flared, and straightway His terror was flown: he had gotten a look of gladness And gaily haha’d—a clatter of idle laughter. When now by the flame my features were lit, he gave me The greeting of love, asked many a courteous question; And into his hand I counted a thousand dirhems To lodge me a month, with freedom for either party. I found in his pleasure-domes two noble virgins Of family high and proud, and became their bridegroom. ’Tis thus I have ever lived and am living ever, Away my religion goes and my wealth in armfuls. As oft as we meet, I like what the law forbiddeth, And never can bear to like what the law hath hallowed.More poems on our Pinterest-site!
An Hymn to the Evening
Phillis Wheatley (1753-1783) Soon as the sun forsook the eastern main The pealing thunder shook the heav’nly plain; Majestic grandeur! From the zephyr’s wing, Exhales the incense of the blooming spring, Soft purl the streams, the birds renew their notes, And through the air their mingled music floats. Through all the heav’ns what beauteous dies are spread! But the west glories in the deepest red: So may our breasts with every virtue glow, The living temples of our God below! Fill’d with the praise of him who gives the light, And draws the sable curtains of the night, Let placid slumbers soothe each weary mind, At morn to wake more heav’nly, more refin’d; So shall the labors of the day begin More pure, more guarded from the snares of sin. Night’s leaden sceptre seals my drowsy eyes, Then cease, my song, till fair Aurora rise.At a Window
Carl Sanburg (1878-1967) Give me hunger, O you gods that sit and give The world its orders. Give me hunger, pain and want, Shut me out with shame and failure From your doors of gold and fame, Give me your shabbiest, weariest hunger! But leave me a little love, A voice to speak to me in the day end, A hand to touch me in the dark room Breaking the long loneliness. In the dusk of day-shapes Blurring the sunset, One little wandering, western star Thrust out from the changing shores of shadow. Let me go to the window, Watch there the day-shapes of dusk And wait and know the coming Of a little loveOn Receiving the First News of the War
by Isaac Rosenberg (1890-1918) Snow is a strange white word; No ice or frost Has asked of bud or bird For Winter’s cost. Yet ice and frost and snow From earth to sky This Summer land doth know; No man knows why. In all men’s hearts it is: Some spirit old Hath turned with malign kiss Our lives to mould. Red fangs have torn His face, God’s blood is shed: He mourns from His lone place His children dead. O ancient crimson curse! Corrode, consume; Give back this universe Its pristine bloom.False, but Beautiful
by John Rollin Ridge (1827-1867) Dark as a demon’s dream is one I love— In soul—but oh, how beautiful in form! She glows like Venus throned in joy above, Or on the crimson couch of Evening warm Reposing her sweet limbs, her heaving breast Unveiled to him who lights the golden west! Ah, me, to be by that soft hand carest, To feel the twining of that snowy arm, To drink that sigh with richest love opprest, To bathe within that sunny sea of smiles, To wander in that wilderness of wiles And blissful blandishments—it is to thrill With subtle poison, and to feel the will Grow weak in that which all the veins doth fill. Fair sorceress! I know she spreads a net The strong, the just, the brave to snare; and yet My soul cannot, for its own sake, forget The fascinating glance which flings its chain Around my quivering heart and throbbing brain, And binds me to my painful destiny, As bird, that soars no more on high, Hangs trembling on the serpent’s doomful eye.III
by James Joyce (1882-1941) At that hour when all things have repose, O lonely watcher of the skies, Do you hear the night wind and the sighs Of harps playing unto Love to unclose The pale gates of sunrise? When all things repose, do you alone Awake to hear the sweet harps play To Love before him on his way, And the night wind answering in antiphon Till night is overgone? Play on, invisible harps, unto Love, Whose way in heaven is aglow At that hour when soft lights come and go, Soft sweet music in the air above And in the earth below.A Mystery
by James Ephraim McGirt (1874-1930) I do not know the ocean’s song, Or what the brooklets say; At eve I sit and listen long, I cannot learn their lay. But as I linger by the sea, And that sweet song comes unto me, It seems, my love, it sings of thee. I do not know why poppies grow, Amid the wheat and rye, The lilies bloom as white as snow, I cannot tell you why. But all the flowers of the spring, The bees that hum, the birds that sing, A thought of you they seem to bring. I cannot tell why silvery Mars, Moves through the heav’ns at night; I cannot tell you why the stars, Adorn the vault with light. But what sublimity I see, Upon the mount, the hill, the lea, It brings, my love, a thought of thee. I do not know what in your eyes, That caused my heart to glow, And why my spirit longs and cries, I vow, I do not know. But when you first came in my sight, My slumbering soul awoke in light, And since the day I’ve known no night.III
James Joyce's III is a lyrical poem that evokes a dreamlike atmosphere of silence, music and longing. Set during the peaceful hours before sunrise, it invites readers to picture unseen harps and gentle breezes welcoming the arrival of Love. Using musical imagery and a reflective tone, Joyce explores the mysterious connection between nature, beauty and human emotion, depicting love as a force that seems to bring harmony to the world around us.A Mystery
In A Mystery, James Ephraim McGirt reflects on the many inexplicable wonders of life. The speaker contemplates the sea, flowers and stars, acknowledging that their deeper significance remains elusive. Yet everything in nature seems to evoke thoughts of a beloved person. Through graceful imagery and a contemplative tone, the poem portrays love as an enigmatic force that transcends reason and comprehension.On Receiving the First News of the War
Saac Rosenberg’s 'On Receiving the First News of the War' captures the initial reflection upon the outbreak of conflict. The poem explores the emotional impact of war and the uncertainty it brings to everyday life. Through vivid imagery and thoughtful language, Rosenberg considers how major historical events can alter personal perspectives, revealing the disruption and importance of a changing world.False but Beautiful
In False, but Beautiful, John Rollin Ridge explores the contrast between appearance and reality. The speaker acknowledges that beauty can be deceptive yet remains powerful and compelling nonetheless. Through elegant language and reflective observation, the poem considers how illusion, desire and admiration can influence how we perceive things, suggesting that beauty can still have value even when it does not tell the whole truth.An Hymn to the Evening
In 'An Hymn to the Evening', Phillis Wheatley celebrates the beauty and serenity of the natural world at sunset. The poem portrays the transition from day to night as a time of harmony, reflection and spiritual reverence. Using rich imagery and elevated language, Wheatley expresses her admiration for creation, encouraging readers to appreciate the peace and wonder that the evening hour can inspire.At a Window
In Carl Sandburg’s 'At a Window', the speaker observes the world from a quiet and thoughtful distance. Looking beyond the window frame, the poem reflects on life, change and the passage of time. Through his simple yet evocative style, Sandburg transforms an ordinary moment into an opportunity for contemplation, inviting readers to consider how observation can deepen their awareness and understanding.A Rose Has Thorns as Well as Honey
In A Rose Has Thorns as Well as Honey, Christina Rossetti uses the image of a rose to explore the balance between pleasure and hardship. The poem suggests that beauty and sweetness often coexist with difficulty and pain. Using concise language and symbolic imagery, Rossetti offers a timeless insight into life, reminding readers that joy and suffering are often closely intertwined.O Málik! I pray thee go for the wine full early
O Málik! I pray you go early for the wine, celebrating the pleasures of companionship, enjoyment and living in the present moment. Addressing a companion, the poem conveys the desire to embrace life's delights before time slips away. Through vivid imagery and a lively tone, Abu Nuwas highlights themes of celebration, friendship and the appreciation of fleeting pleasures.Fame
In Fame, Charlotte Mew reflects on the allure and limitations of public recognition. The speaker contrasts the noise and attention of social admiration with the peace and authenticity found in nature. Through vivid imagery and thoughtful language, the poem explores the tension between worldly success and personal fulfilment, suggesting that quiet beauty and private dreams may be more valuable than reputation and acclaim.With Child
In With Child, Genevieve Taggard explores the physical and emotional experience of pregnancy with honesty and sensitivity. The speaker reflects on the profound changes taking place within her body, acknowledging the growing independence of her unborn child. Through rich imagery and a contemplative tone, the poem considers the themes of creation, transformation and motherhood, revealing the wonder and complexity of new life.
Poems in the Public Domain
InterPure
Poetry “sings the language” and
connects people
Poetry can be a powerful way to express emotions and thoughts. It helps express and process feelings, which contributes to emotional development. In addition, poetry encourages creative thinking and language skills.Moreover, poetry can help us feel connected to others. Reading and writing poems allows us to share experiences and perspectives, which promotes empathy and understanding. And of course poetry can also be a source of comfort and inspiration, especially in difficult times.Two poems are added to the site every month. I would like others to enjoy these poems too. Poetry “sings the language” and connects people. A word is dead, when it is said Some say - I say it just begins to live That day Emily Dickinson | Listen
About
InterPure is a personal website. Over the years hundreds of poems in the public domain have been colleted. The poems and poets can be found on the worldwide web. If you are charmed by a poet, you can search the internet for more poems and background information on the poet. Two new poems are posted on the site every month. After ten poems have been replaced by new ones, the replaced poems are bundled into a PDF document and are available to download for free. This way, you can still enjoy the poems you missed. More poems on our Pinterest-site! Download poems 2025 Do you work in education? Then take a look at blomke.com . Here you will find poems with assignments for students.Contact
It is best to use the form to contact us. By submitting the form, you agree to store your name and email address in our database so that we can notify you when poems are available for download on our site. Email: mailADDinterpure.nl Web: https://interpure.nl The NetherlandsFame
Charlotte Mew (1869-1928) Sometimes in the over-heated house, but not for long, Smirking and speaking rather loud, I see myself among the crowd, Where no one fits the singer to his song, Or sifts the unpainted from the painted faces Of the people who are always on my stair; They were not with me when I walked in heavenly places; But could I spare In the blind Earth’s great silences and spaces, The din, the scuffle, the long stare If I went back and it was not there? Back to the old known things that are the new, The folded glory of the gorse, the sweet-briar air, To the larks that cannot praise us, knowing nothing of what we do And the divine, wise trees that do not care Yet, to leave Fame, still with such eyes and that bright hair! God! If I might! And before I go hence Take in her stead To our tossed bed, One little dream, no matter how small, how wild. Just now, I think I found it in a field, under a fence— A frail, dead, new-born lamb, ghostly and pitiful and white, A blot upon the night, The moon’s dropped child!With Child
Genevieve Taggard (1894-1948) Now I am slow and placid, fond of sun, Like a sleek beast, or a worn one: No slim and languid girl—not glad With the windy trip I once had, But velvet-footed, musing of my own, Torpid, mellow, stupid as a stone. You cleft me with your beauty’s pulse, and now Your pulse has taken body. Care not how The old grace goes, how heavy I am grown, Big with this loneliness, how you alone Ponder our love. Touch my feet and feel How earth tingles, teeming at my heel! Earth’s urge, not mine,—my little death, not hers; And the pure beauty yearns and stirs. It does not heed our ecstacies, it turns With secrets of its own, its own concerns, Toward a windy world of its own, toward stark And solitary places. In the dark, Defiant even now, it tugs and moans To be untangled from these mother’s bones.A rose has thorns as well as
honey
Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) A rose has thorns as well as honey, I’ll not have her for love or money; An iris grows so straight and fine, That she shall be no friend of mine; Snowdrops like the snow would chill me; Nightshade would caress and kill me; Crocus like a spear would fright me; Dragon’s-mouth might bark or bite me; Convolvulus but blooms to die; A wind-flower suggests a sigh; Love-lies-bleeding makes me sad; And poppy-juice would drive me mad:— But give me holly, bold and jolly, Honest, prickly, shining holly; Pluck me holly leaf and berry For the day when I make merry.O Málik! I pray thee go for the
wine full early
Abu Nuwas (760-814) O Málik! I pray thee go for the wine full early, And if it be dear to buy, then buy it dearly! Bethink thee how once a grizzled old tavern- keeper, Whose whiskers were black with blowing the tarry wineskin, I called, as he lay where slumber had stolen o’er him — His head sunk low, the left hand’s palm his pillow; And he at my cry arose with a start of terror, And hastened to light the wick, and it flared, and straightway His terror was flown: he had gotten a look of gladness And gaily haha’d—a clatter of idle laughter. When now by the flame my features were lit, he gave me The greeting of love, asked many a courteous question; And into his hand I counted a thousand dirhems To lodge me a month, with freedom for either party. I found in his pleasure-domes two noble virgins Of family high and proud, and became their bridegroom. ’Tis thus I have ever lived and am living ever, Away my religion goes and my wealth in armfuls. As oft as we meet, I like what the law forbiddeth, And never can bear to like what the law hath hallowed.More poems on our Pinterest-site!
An Hymn to the Evening
Phillis Wheatley (1753-1783) Soon as the sun forsook the eastern main The pealing thunder shook the heav’nly plain; Majestic grandeur! From the zephyr’s wing, Exhales the incense of the blooming spring, Soft purl the streams, the birds renew their notes, And through the air their mingled music floats. Through all the heav’ns what beauteous dies are spread! But the west glories in the deepest red: So may our breasts with every virtue glow, The living temples of our God below! Fill’d with the praise of him who gives the light, And draws the sable curtains of the night, Let placid slumbers soothe each weary mind, At morn to wake more heav’nly, more refin’d; So shall the labors of the day begin More pure, more guarded from the snares of sin. Night’s leaden sceptre seals my drowsy eyes, Then cease, my song, till fair Aurora rise.At a Window
Carl Sanburg (1878-1967) Give me hunger, O you gods that sit and give The world its orders. Give me hunger, pain and want, Shut me out with shame and failure From your doors of gold and fame, Give me your shabbiest, weariest hunger! But leave me a little love, A voice to speak to me in the day end, A hand to touch me in the dark room Breaking the long loneliness. In the dusk of day-shapes Blurring the sunset, One little wandering, western star Thrust out from the changing shores of shadow. Let me go to the window, Watch there the day-shapes of dusk And wait and know the coming Of a little loveOn Receiving the First News of
the War
by Isaac Rosenberg (1890-1918) Snow is a strange white word; No ice or frost Has asked of bud or bird For Winter’s cost. Yet ice and frost and snow From earth to sky This Summer land doth know; No man knows why. In all men’s hearts it is: Some spirit old Hath turned with malign kiss Our lives to mould. Red fangs have torn His face, God’s blood is shed: He mourns from His lone place His children dead. O ancient crimson curse! Corrode, consume; Give back this universe Its pristine bloom.False, but Beautiful
by John Rollin Ridge (1827-1867) Dark as a demon’s dream is one I love— In soul—but oh, how beautiful in form! She glows like Venus throned in joy above, Or on the crimson couch of Evening warm Reposing her sweet limbs, her heaving breast Unveiled to him who lights the golden west! Ah, me, to be by that soft hand carest, To feel the twining of that snowy arm, To drink that sigh with richest love opprest, To bathe within that sunny sea of smiles, To wander in that wilderness of wiles And blissful blandishments—it is to thrill With subtle poison, and to feel the will Grow weak in that which all the veins doth fill. Fair sorceress! I know she spreads a net The strong, the just, the brave to snare; and yet My soul cannot, for its own sake, forget The fascinating glance which flings its chain Around my quivering heart and throbbing brain, And binds me to my painful destiny, As bird, that soars no more on high, Hangs trembling on the serpent’s doomful eye.III
by James Joyce (1882-1941) At that hour when all things have repose, O lonely watcher of the skies, Do you hear the night wind and the sighs Of harps playing unto Love to unclose The pale gates of sunrise? When all things repose, do you alone Awake to hear the sweet harps play To Love before him on his way, And the night wind answering in antiphon Till night is overgone? Play on, invisible harps, unto Love, Whose way in heaven is aglow At that hour when soft lights come and go, Soft sweet music in the air above And in the earth below.A Mystery
by James Ephraim McGirt (1874-1930) I do not know the ocean’s song, Or what the brooklets say; At eve I sit and listen long, I cannot learn their lay. But as I linger by the sea, And that sweet song comes unto me, It seems, my love, it sings of thee. I do not know why poppies grow, Amid the wheat and rye, The lilies bloom as white as snow, I cannot tell you why. But all the flowers of the spring, The bees that hum, the birds that sing, A thought of you they seem to bring. I cannot tell why silvery Mars, Moves through the heav’ns at night; I cannot tell you why the stars, Adorn the vault with light. But what sublimity I see, Upon the mount, the hill, the lea, It brings, my love, a thought of thee. I do not know what in your eyes, That caused my heart to glow, And why my spirit longs and cries, I vow, I do not know. But when you first came in my sight, My slumbering soul awoke in light, And since the day I’ve known no night.III
James Joyce's III is a lyrical poem that evokes a dreamlike atmosphere of silence, music and longing. Set during the peaceful hours before sunrise, it invites readers to picture unseen harps and gentle breezes welcoming the arrival of Love. Using musical imagery and a reflective tone, Joyce explores the mysterious connection between nature, beauty and human emotion, depicting love as a force that seems to bring harmony to the world around us.A Mystery
In A Mystery, James Ephraim McGirt reflects on the many inexplicable wonders of life. The speaker contemplates the sea, flowers and stars, acknowledging that their deeper significance remains elusive. Yet everything in nature seems to evoke thoughts of a beloved person. Through graceful imagery and a contemplative tone, the poem portrays love as an enigmatic force that transcends reason and comprehension.On Receiving the First News of
the War
Saac Rosenberg’s 'On Receiving the First News of the War' captures the initial reflection upon the outbreak of conflict. The poem explores the emotional impact of war and the uncertainty it brings to everyday life. Through vivid imagery and thoughtful language, Rosenberg considers how major historical events can alter personal perspectives, revealing the disruption and importance of a changing world.False but Beautiful
In False, but Beautiful, John Rollin Ridge explores the contrast between appearance and reality. The speaker acknowledges that beauty can be deceptive yet remains powerful and compelling nonetheless. Through elegant language and reflective observation, the poem considers how illusion, desire and admiration can influence how we perceive things, suggesting that beauty can still have value even when it does not tell the whole truth.An Hymn to the Evening
In 'An Hymn to the Evening', Phillis Wheatley celebrates the beauty and serenity of the natural world at sunset. The poem portrays the transition from day to night as a time of harmony, reflection and spiritual reverence. Using rich imagery and elevated language, Wheatley expresses her admiration for creation, encouraging readers to appreciate the peace and wonder that the evening hour can inspire.At a Window
In Carl Sandburg’s 'At a Window', the speaker observes the world from a quiet and thoughtful distance. Looking beyond the window frame, the poem reflects on life, change and the passage of time. Through his simple yet evocative style, Sandburg transforms an ordinary moment into an opportunity for contemplation, inviting readers to consider how observation can deepen their awareness and understanding.A Rose Has Thorns as Well as
Honey
In A Rose Has Thorns as Well as Honey, Christina Rossetti uses the image of a rose to explore the balance between pleasure and hardship. The poem suggests that beauty and sweetness often coexist with difficulty and pain. Using concise language and symbolic imagery, Rossetti offers a timeless insight into life, reminding readers that joy and suffering are often closely intertwined.O Málik! I pray thee go for the
wine full early
O Málik! I pray you go early for the wine, celebrating the pleasures of companionship, enjoyment and living in the present moment. Addressing a companion, the poem conveys the desire to embrace life's delights before time slips away. Through vivid imagery and a lively tone, Abu Nuwas highlights themes of celebration, friendship and the appreciation of fleeting pleasures.Fame
In Fame, Charlotte Mew reflects on the allure and limitations of public recognition. The speaker contrasts the noise and attention of social admiration with the peace and authenticity found in nature. Through vivid imagery and thoughtful language, the poem explores the tension between worldly success and personal fulfilment, suggesting that quiet beauty and private dreams may be more valuable than reputation and acclaim.With Child
In With Child, Genevieve Taggard explores the physical and emotional experience of pregnancy with honesty and sensitivity. The speaker reflects on the profound changes taking place within her body, acknowledging the growing independence of her unborn child. Through rich imagery and a contemplative tone, the poem considers the themes of creation, transformation and motherhood, revealing the wonder and complexity of new life.