36 Motivational Poems in English

Poems are a great way to look at the world differently and be inspired. A good poem may be equivalent to a novel. The short and crisp yet deeper meanings associated with a poem make it artful.

Motivational poems inspire people to work hard on themselves and become better than they were yesterday.

Here are 36 motivational poems in English to inspire you and help you level up!

(The links to all the poems are provided)

1. The Invitation

By Oriah Mountain Dreamer

It doesn't interest me

what you do for a living.

I want to know

what you ache for

and if you dare to dream

of meeting your heart's longing…

This motivational poem in English is about achieving the goals that your heart desires. The goals you set when you were young and inspired. The goals that motivate you to wake up every day. The goals that give you the drive to live. 

2. If

By Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too:

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated don't give way to hating,

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise…

This motivational poem in English is about being good and kind to others at all times. One has to be kind to even the people that aren’t kind to them. One has to have faith in himself when others doubt him, especially at those times. One doesn't need to hate someone who despises them.                                       

3. Still I Rise

By Maya Angelou

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may tread me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, I'll rise…

This motivational poem in English is about women who fight against all odds to live a normal happy life. She doesn't care about being the subject of hate and being represented wrongly in history. She would rise above that and take her place with authority.                                                    

4. Good Timber

By Douglas Malloch

The tree that never had to fight

     For sun and sky and air and light,

But stood out in the open plain

     And always got its share of rain,

Never became a forest king

     But lived and died a scrubby thing…

This motivational poem in English is about how facing adversities makes you better and stronger. And living comfortably without having to worry about even food and shelter makes a man die as the same person as he was born. Good timber grows in strong winds and good men are created by harsh conditions. 

5. Have You Earned Your Tomorrow

By Edgar Guest

Is anybody happier because you passed his way?

     Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today?

This day is almost over, and its toiling time is through;

     Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word of you?...

This motivational poem in English is about how small acts of kindness in our daily life make our lives worthy of living. It is about as small as saying hello to someone on the street or helping an old person cross the road. It makes God happy and gives you another day to help others and spread kindness.

6. Phenomenal Woman

By Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size

But when I start to tell them,

They think I'm telling lies.

I say,

It's in the reach of my arms

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me…

This motivational poem in English is about being a woman and having confidence in yourself. It’s about the way you walk, speak, and are nice to others. 

7. Equipment

By Edgar Guest

Figure it out for yourself, my lad,

You've all that the greatest of men have had,

Two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes,

And a brain to use if you would be wise.

With this equipment they all began,

So start for the top and say "I can."...

This motivational poem in English talks about how to become great at something. We all have the ‘equipment’ which are our arms, hands, legs, eyes, and brain. It is sufficient and it is what all great men who started their journey had. Further, you get more tools along the way, which are sufficient to become great.

You are your only barrier. You need the courage to overcome it and toil hard to be successful.

8. Invictus

By William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,

   Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

    For my unconquerable soul…

This motivational poem in English is about facing every challenge without complaining. It is about being the creator of your destiny and leading your life the way you desire.

 9. Human Family

By Maya Angelou

I note the obvious differences

in the human family.

Some of us are serious,

some thrive on comedy…

This motivational poem in English is about how all human beings are unique and yet everyone is the same. We may find different people with the same names and couples who think differently and twins who are more different than they look similar. But in the end, all humans are the same. 

 10. A Psalm Of Life

By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,

     Life is but an empty dream!—

For the soul is dead that slumbers,

     And things are not what they seem…

This motivational poem in English talks about how life is not about all the things that we think of like happiness and sorrow. It is about being able to live another day.

We need to look up to the great men and follow in their footsteps. We should learn to work hard and to be patient.

 11. The Road Not Taken

By Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;...

This motivational poem in English is a popular one. It is about the choices that a person faces in life. The choice between a path of honesty and being truthful and a path of dishonesty. The path of hard work and the path of shortcuts. The path of being honest and doing hard work is a less traveled one. However, it is the right path to choose.

12. It Couldn't Be Done

By Edgar Guest

Somebody said that it couldn’t be done

      But he with a chuckle replied

That "maybe it couldn't," but he would be one

      Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried.

So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin

      On his face. If he worried he hid it.

He started to sing as he tackled the thing

      That couldn’t be done, and he did…

This motivational poem in English is about how the world thinks that doing something great is impossible. It tells that to the people who are trying their best. But these people won't be quiet until they give it a try. And voila! They succeed!

13. Dreams

By Langston Hughes

Hold fast to dreams

For if dreams die

Life is a broken-winged bird

That cannot fly…

This motivational poem in English is about not giving up on your dreams. Dreams make us motivated and give us the drive to live. Life without dreams is barren.

14. If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking

By Emily Dickinson

If I can stop one heart from breaking,

I shall not live in vain;

If I can ease one life the aching,

Or cool one pain,

Or help one fainting robin

Unto his nest again,

I shall not live in vain

This motivational poem in English is about living life and helping others. If one can make someone happy and forget their worries, his life is worth living.

15. Caged Bird

By Maya Angelou

The free bird leaps

on the back of the wind

and floats downstream

till the current ends

and dips his wings

in the orange sun rays

and dares to claim the sky…

This motivational poem in English is about the perspectives of a free-will person and a person who keeps himself restricted to a place or thinking. The free-willed person is always looking for new experiences and fresh air. The restricted person is always cautious, thinking within boundaries. 

16. Keep Going

By Edgar Guest

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest if you must—but don’t you quit…

This motivational poem in English is about working towards your goals in difficult times. Sometimes we think we are about to fail when in reality we are closer to the finish line. We have to believe in ourselves and keep going at it.

17. Equality

By Maya Angelou

You declare you see me dimly

through a glass which will not shine,

though I stand before you boldly,

trim in rank and marking time.

You do own to hear me faintly

as a whisper out of range,

while my drums beat out the message

and the rhythms never change…

This motivational poem in English feminism and how women are not treated well. It talks about women’s dreams of equality and becoming free. The author dares the world to remove the filters and see the pain of women. It will make them see the reality that they would want to make better.

18. The Will To Win

By Berton Braley

If you want a thing bad enough

To go out and fight for it,

Work day and night for it,

Give up your time and your peace and

your sleep for it…

This motivational poem in English is about having a dream that you want to pursue no matter what happens. The thing that makes you sleepless and focused. You will always achieve it!

19. Be The Best Of Whatever You Are

By Douglas Malloch

If you can't be a pine on the top of the hill,

  Be a scrub in the valley — but be

The best little scrub by the side of the rill;

  Be a bush if you can't be a tree…

This motivational poem in English is about being the best in whatever position you are in. If you are not the leader, be the best team player. No matter what position you are in, be great at it!

 20. In Spite Of War

By Angela Morgan

In spite of war, in spite of death,

In spite of all man's sufferings,

Something within me laughs and sings

And I must praise with all my breath.

In spite of war, in spite of hate

Lilacs are blooming at my gate,

Tulips are tripping down the path

In spite of war, in spite of wrath.

"Courage!" the morning-glory saith;

"Rejoice!" the daisy murmureth,

And just to live is so divine

When pansies lift their eyes to mine… 

This motivational poem in English is about being positive in life and looking at things from a different perspective. You may be facing difficulties and under stress, but don't stop looking at life as a living hell. Look at the flowers and trees blooming and the birds singing. And live through your difficulties with good morale.

 21. As You Go Through Life

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Don't look for the flaws as you go through life;

   And even when you find them,

It is wise and kind to be somewhat blind

   And look for the virtue behind them.

For the cloudiest night has a hint of light

   Somewhere in its shadows hiding;

It is better by far to hunt for a star,

   Than the spots on the sun abiding…

This motivational poem in English is about accepting what you have got and living with it. Then it talks about not challenging nature and working according to it. And lastly says that some things will always go wrong, be ready for it.

 22. My Creed

By Edgar Guest

To live as gently as I can;

To be, no matter where, a man;

To take what comes of good or ill

And cling to faith and honor still;

To do my best, and let that stand

The record of my brain and hand;

And then, should failure come to me,

Still work and hope for victory…

This motivational poem in English is about living a life of kindness, having no fear, and being remembered for good deeds.

23. Still Here

By Langston Hughes

I been scarred and battered.

My hopes the wind done scattered.

   Snow has friz me,

   Sun has baked me,

Looks like between 'em they done

   Tried to make me

Stop laughin', stop lovin', stop livin'--

   But I don't care!

   I'm still here!

This motivational poem in English is about showing resilience to the adversities one faces in life. One can become hopeless and may lose the will to live, but his fighting spirit makes him come on on top against all odds.

24.  Hope Is The Thing With Feathers

By Emily Dickinson

"Hope" is the thing with feathers -

That perches in the soul -

And sings the tune without the words -

And never stops - at all -...

This motivational poem in English is about hope the light that guides us in the journey of life. It gives us the desire to stand up when we fall and doesn't ask anything in return.

25. Barter

By Sara Teasdale

Life has loveliness to sell,

All beautiful and splendid things,

Blue waves whitened on a cliff,

Soaring fire that sways and sings,

And children's faces looking up

Holding wonder like a cup…

This motivational poem in English is about all the things that make life wonderful. The ocean, the mountains, music, children, and many more things. One should not worry about the cost attached to these things. They are worthy of everything one has to offer. 

 26. Homage To My Hips

By Lucille Clifton

these hips are big hips

they need space to

move around in.

they don't fit into little

petty places. these hips

are free hips.

they don't like to be held back…

This motivational poem in English is about how women live freely in a normal world. They do what they desire and live without worrying about themselves.

 27. My Mind to Me a Kingdom Is

By Sir Edward Dyer

My mind to me a kingdom is;

Such present joys therein I find,

That it excels all other bliss

That earth affords or grows by kind:

Though much I want that most would have,

Yet still my mind forbids to crave…

This motivational poem in English is about how our mind is our greatest source of joy. It doesn't crave material things and doesn't hesitate to go on adventures. Our greatest wealth is our mind.

28. Song of Myself

By Walt Whitman

I celebrate myself, and sing myself,

And what I assume you shall assume,

For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.

I loafe and invite my soul,

I lean and loafe at my ease observing a spear of summer grass…

This motivational poem in English is about the life of the nineteenth-century American poet Walt Whitman. In the poem he talks about his life and its celebration, his parents and his desires, and others’ desires.

 29. Coming

By Philip Larkin

On longer evenings,

Light, chill and yellow,

Bathes the serene

Foreheads of houses.

A thrush sings,

Laurel-surrounded

In the deep bare garden,

Its fresh-peeled voice

Astonishing the brickwork.

It will be spring soon,

It will be spring soon…

This motivational poem in English is about the excitement of spring for the poet. His inner child is waiting for it with great enthusiasm. He will be happy when it begins.

30. Ariel

By Sylvia Plath

Stasis in darkness.

Then the substanceless blue   

Pour of tor and distances.

God’s lioness,   

How one we grow,

Pivot of heels and knees!—The furrow…

This motivational poem in English is about how the author is trying to save her life with help of a horse called Ariel. As she is riding the horse, she starts to forget about her past and start afresh.

 31. Desiderata

By Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story…

This motivational poem in English is a manual for living a good life. The poet talks about different things that are important in the journey of life. He concludes by saying to be at peace with God as he has his best interests.

 32. Words of Encouragement

By Rena Marie Priest

When writing poems about extinction

it’s important that you make the poems

deep but uplifting.

Nobody wants to read a bummer poem

about endangered orcas and their dead babies.

Keep it light. Keep it motivational. Encouraging…

This motivational poem in English is about how to write about death. The poetess advises to be gentle to the reader and say encouraging things. 

 33. Be Done With It

By Ralph Waldo Emerson

Finish every day and be done with it.

You have done what you could;

Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in;

Forget them as soon as you can.

Tomorrow is a new day;

You shall begin it well and serenely

And with too high a spirit

To be cumbered with your old nonsense.

This motivational poem in English is about not dwelling on the past. One should forget about the blunders he made, at the end of the day. Start the next day afresh and motivated. It would be a shame to waste the day thinking about the mistakes of the past.

 34. Motivation

By Catherine Pulsifer

Who can give you motivation?

You can read lots of quotes

You can read lots of poems

Or try reading books.

But at the end of the day

Only you can motivate yourself!

You have to stay focused on your end goal

Taking one step at a time.

You need perseverance and determination

And sometimes you need to step back,

But always stepping ahead again

Motivate yourself and keep moving forward!

This motivational poem in English tells us about the only person that can motivate us is ourselves. You can read motivational quotes and books, but the real motivation comes from within. 

 35. The Man Who Does

By Anonymous

There are two kinds of persons in the world:

Those who think first of difficulties,

And

Those who think first of the importance of accomplishment in spite of difficulties.

If a thing ought to be done the presence of severe obstacles to its doing

Is only a further reason for bringing it to pass.

This motivational poem in English is about the two schools of thought when someone faces a challenging situation. One thinks about the problems and the other thinks about the reward of solving the problem despite the difficulties.

36. Conscience

By Thomas A Kempis

A good conscience knows no fear.

A clear conscience is a good pillow.

A guilty conscience needs no accuser.

Keep conscience alive in your breast.

A clear conscience fears no accusation.

Value a good conscience more than praise.

An evil conscience is always fearful and unquiet.

Keep a good conscience and you will be happy.

This motivational poem in English is about the importance of conscience. A good conscience is fearless and happy. A bad conscience is guilty and unhappy.

These were some of the best motivational poems in English. They have answers to a man’s most burning questions. They also provide ways to move forward and be patient with yourself.