Inspiring Poems About Creativity & Imagination
Read these inspiring poems about creativity and imagination if you want to boost yours. You’ll find here fun, deep, and short poems on creativity by famous poets who inspired millions of people throughout generations.
These beautiful poems and poetry books will inspire and help you to better use creativity and imagination, get out of your comfort zone, heal, give a boost to your artistic self, and make every moment count.
You’ll also find here inspiring poems about life that will make you think and will motivate you to use your creativity and imagination to live a happier, more fulfilled life even if you’re not a professional artist.
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Inspiring Poems About Creativity & Imagination
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9| The Complete Poetry of Edgar Allan Poe by Edgar Allan Poe
The Dark and often disturbing macabre art of Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most often quoted lines in literature. His works are all so imaginative, so realistic yet impossible.
The writing style is original with everything being so perfectly described, you see the picture in front of you. Even if you do not like dark literature, Poe’s works are enchanting despite being creepy.
Dream-Land is a much brighter poem with a beautiful landscape and moments as a traveler passes through. What this piece may teach to its readers is to appreciate the little things and find magic in them.
Most inspiring short poems want to convince the readers to see and love every little joy. On the other hand, Dream-Land is just presenting the beauty you will not be able to pass by without falling in love.
Edgar Allan Poe’s classic inspiring poem about life is going to make you open up to new things that may come into your life.
Dream-Land by Edgar Allan Poe
By a route obscure and lonely,
Haunted by ill angels only,
Where an Eidolon, named NIGHT,
On a black throne reigns upright,
I have reached these lands but newly
From an ultimate dim Thule—
From a wild clime that lieth, sublime,
Out of SPACE— out of TIME.
Bottomless vales and boundless floods,
And chasms, and caves, and Titan woods,
With forms that no man can discover
For the tears that drip all over;
Mountains toppling evermore
Into seas without a shore;
Seas that restlessly aspire,
Surging, unto skies of fire;
Lakes that endlessly outspread
Their lone waters— lone and dead,—
Their still waters— still and chilly
With the snows of the lolling lily.
By the lakes that thus outspread
Their lone waters, lone and dead,—
Their sad waters, sad and chilly
With the snows of the lolling lily,—
By the mountains— near the river
Murmuring lowly, murmuring ever,—
By the grey woods,— by the swamp
Where the toad and the newt encamp—
By the dismal tarns and pools
Where dwell the Ghouls,—
By each spot the most unholy—
In each nook most melancholy—
There the traveller meets aghast
Sheeted Memories of the Past—
Shrouded forms that start and sigh
As they pass the wanderer by—
White—robed forms of friends long given,
In agony, to the Earth— and Heaven.
For the heart whose woes are legion
‘Tis a peaceful, soothing region—
For the spirit that walks in shadow
‘Tis— oh, ’tis an Eldorado!
But the traveller, travelling through it,
May not— dare not openly view it!
Never its mysteries are exposed
To the weak human eye unclosed;
So wills its King, who hath forbid
The uplifting of the fringed lid;
And thus the sad Soul that here passes
Beholds it but through darkened glasses.
By a route obscure and lonely,
Haunted by ill angels only,
Where an Eidolon, named NIGHT,
On a black throne reigns upright,
I have wandered home but newly
From this ultimate dim Thule.
8| The Essential Rumi by Rumi
Rumi is probably one of the most quoted poets of our time as he is one of the most inspiring poets, who always has a few motivational words for his readers. The 13th-century Persian poet left a number of inspiring short poems, which can be found in The Essential Rumi poetry book.
Unfold Your Own Myth is an empowering piece that tries to encourage us all to live our lives to the fullest. It is important to be brave when it comes to writing your own story. The point of this beautiful poem is to stop listening to others’ stories and begin living your own.
Rumi’s inspiring poems about life will inspire you to live outside your comfort zone and begin your adventures. Be more creative and imaginative every day. It is certainly a tough decision to embark on your own journey, but getting old with regrets of not doing something will leave a hole in your heart.
You are going to achieve great things, get to the highest peak and become whoever you want to be. You just have to take the first step then the next one towards your goals.
Unfold Your Own Myth by Rumi
Who gets up early
to discover the moment light begins?
Who finds us here circling, bewildered, like atoms?
Who comes to a spring thirsty
and sees the moon reflected in it?
Who, like Jacob blind with grief and age,
smells the shirt of his lost son
and can see again?
Who lets a bucket down and brings up
a flowing prophet?
Or like Moses goes for fire
and finds what burns inside the sunrise?
Jesus slips into a house to escape enemies,
and opens a door to the other world.
Soloman cuts open a fish, and there’s a gold ring.
Omar storms in to kill the prophet
and leaves with blessings.
Chase a deer and end up everywhere!
An oyster opens his mouth to swallow on drop.
Now there’s a pearl.
A vagrant wanders empty ruins.
Suddenly he’s wealthy.
But don’t be satisfied with stories, how things
have gone with others. Unfold
your own myth, without complicated explanation,
so everyone will understand the passage,
We have opened you.
Start walking toward Shams. Your legs will get heavy
and tired. Then comes a moment
of feeling the wings you’ve grown,
lifting.
7| Illuminations by Arthur Rimbaud
Arthur Rimbaud was a remarkable poet of the French symbolism. Even though some of his works were gloomy, he wrote a number of passionate poems about creativity and life. Through his works, you can explore a lot about yourself and see that you are not alone with your feelings.
His poem about youth can be one to put you down, however, if you allow it to be an inspiring short poem, there is much more to it.
The poem is about how fast life can pass us by if we don’t immerse ourselves in it and in our creativity to make every moment count. The clock is ticking and we are getting older and the carefree days of youth are passing quickly.
But don’t let it ruin your mood, rather get creative, find a way to enjoy life and see the beauty of all periods of your life.
When in search of Inspiring poems about creativity and imagination, Rimbaud’s Youth does give a boost and reminds its readers that our time on this beautiful planet is limited. We should use what we get wisely.
Youth by Arthur Rimbaud
I.
_Sunday_
Problems put by, the inevitable descent of heaven
and the visit of memories and the assembly
of rhythms occupy the house,
the head and the world of the spirit. —
A horse scampers off on the suburban track,
and along the tilled fields and woodlands,
pervaded by the carbonic plague.
A miserable woman of drama, somewhere in the world,
sighs for improbable desertions.
Desperados pine for strife, drunkenness and wounds.
— Little children stifle their maledictions along the rivers.
Let us resume our study to the noise of the consuming work
that is gathering and growing in the masses.
II.
_Sonnet_
Man of ordinary constitution,
was not the flesh a fruit hanging in the orchard;
O child days; the body, a treasure to squander;
O to love, the peril or the power of Psyche?
The earth had slopes fertile in princes and in artists,
and lineage and race incited you to crimes and mournings:
the world, your fortune and your peril.
But now, that labor crowned,
you and your calculations,– you and your impatiences–
are only your dance and your voice, not fixed and not forced,
although a reason for the double consequence
of invention and of success, — in fraternal
and discreet humanity through an imageless universe;–
might and right reflect your dance and your voice,
appreciated only at present.
III.
_Tewnty Years Old_
Instructive voices exiled… Physical candor bitterly quelled…
–Adagio.– Ah! the infinite egotism of adolescence,
the studious optimism: how the world was full of flowers that summer!
Airs and forms dying… –A choir to calm impotence and absence!
A choir of glasses, of nocturnal melodies…
Quickly, indeed, the nerves take up the chase.
IV.
You are still at Anthony’s temptation.
The antics of abated zeal,
the grimaces of childish pride, the collapse and the terror.
But you will set yourself at this labor:
all harmonic and architectural possibilities
will surge around your seat.
Perfect beings, never dreamed of,
will present themselves for your experiments.
The curiosity of ancient crowds
and idle wealth will meditatively draw near.
Your memory and your senses
will be simply the nourishment of your creative impulse.
As for the world, when you emerge, what will it have become?
In any case, nothing of what it seems at present.
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6| Aphrodite Made Me Do It by Trista Mateer
Trista Mateer intends to offer support to those who struggle with anxiety, depression or trauma. She has experience with most of the topics and her poems about these issues are told with artistic creativity and can help everyone stir to calmer waters.
Thanks to this book, many people will feel they are not alone and be empowered and inspired to get more creative.
Aphrodite Made Me Do It is a fascinating collection of poems and illustrations about the difficulties of life that can also help you understand how you can use your imagination and creativity to overcome them.
Using Greek mythology to color her modern art can be very inspiring to artists as well, seeing how thousands of years old art can be re-imagined.
Even if you are not an aspiring artist, the use of Greek mythology can inspire you to freely look back in the past and learn from it. People often want to just forget the past, but there is a lot we can use in the future.
The collection goes into some really dark topics and issues, which can be a little difficult to process and triggering for some.
The whole book could be on the list as these inspiring short poems are all going to give you the strength to keep going.
5| The Complete Poems of Anna Akhmatova by Anna Akhmatova
Soviet Russian poet Anna Akhmatova was a critically acclaimed artist, who had almost won the Nobel Prize as well… twice. In the time of the Soviet Union people needed as much inspiration as possible.
Life was nearly impossible to enjoy, even Akhmatova had to endure a lot of pain; her first spouse died in a labor camp.
Muse is one of the most interesting short poems on creativity and imagination. The poet is expecting a visit by the famous Greek muse, Euterpe and upon her arrival, she tells everything about herself with a question.
This short poem shows people what the writer thinks about inspiration and imagination; how some great thoughts can be born.
Anna Akhmatova was living in a time when poems about artistic creativity were not as highly regarded as nowadays. Her brave poetry and powerful words give everyone the courage to dream big and never give up on shooting for the stars.
Muse by Anna Akhmatova
When, in the night, I wait for her, impatient,
Life seems to me, as hanging by a thread.
What just means liberty, or youth, or approbation,
When compared with the gentle piper’s tread?
And she came in, threw out the mantle’s edges,
Declined to me with a sincere heed.
I say to her, “Did you dictate the Pages
Of Hell to Dante?” She answers, “Yes, I did.”
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4| Sifting Through the Madness for the Word, the line, the way by Charles Bukowski
American-German author Charles Bukowski’s art is not for everyone; he can be quite vulgar, violent and unforgiving. Still, the So You Want To Be a Writer is a poem for everyone. It is easy for every reader and gives some great advice about pursuing your passion.
Most poems about creativity and inspiration intend to convince the reader about everything being possible. Nothing is bad with that, but Bukowski has taken a completely different approach.
He is sort of challenging your passion. Are you really into it? Are you so charged you cannot keep it in you? This piece is about writing, however not only aspiring writers can take away something from it.
Are you really that passionate about your vocation or hobby? Are you driven by the right motivation? Is it the best time to start?
He asks a few more questions to make sure you are ready and going to become the best of the best with your heart in the right place.
So You Want To Be a Writer is among the most famous poems about creativity that will make you think about your intentions.
so you want to be a writer? by Charles Bukowski
if it doesn’t come bursting out of you
in spite of everything,
don’t do it.
unless it comes unasked out of your
heart and your mind and your mouth
and your gut,
don’t do it.
if you have to sit for hours
staring at your computer screen
or hunched over your
typewriter
searching for words,
don’t do it.
if you’re doing it for money or
fame,
don’t do it.
if you’re doing it because you want
women in your bed,
don’t do it.
if you have to sit there and
rewrite it again and again,
don’t do it.
if it’s hard work just thinking about doing it,
don’t do it.
if you’re trying to write like somebody
else,
forget about it.
if you have to wait for it to roar out of
you,
then wait patiently.
if it never does roar out of you,
do something else.
if you first have to read it to your wife
or your girlfriend or your boyfriend
or your parents or to anybody at all,
you’re not ready.
don’t be like so many writers,
don’t be like so many thousands of
people who call themselves writers,
don’t be dull and boring and
pretentious, don’t be consumed with self-
love.
the libraries of the world have
yawned themselves to
sleep
over your kind.
don’t add to that.
don’t do it.
unless it comes out of
your soul like a rocket,
unless being still would
drive you to madness or
suicide or murder,
don’t do it.
unless the sun inside you is
burning your gut,
don’t do it.
when it is truly time,
and if you have been chosen,
it will do it by
itself and it will keep on doing it
until you die or it dies in you.
there is no other way.
and there never was.
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3| The Best of Roald Dahl Paperback by Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl was a remarkably inspiring man, with a wide array of interests and plenty of surprises. He was a versatile writer, who has sold over 250 million copies of his works. Besides his notable writing career, he was a fighter pilot during the second world war.
Pure Imagination is one of the most famous poems about creativity that helps both young and adult readers find a happy place. Dahl was able to address all age groups with the same lines with great talent.
Pure Imagination tries to encourage you to use your imagination. It doesn’t matter what is going on in life, your imagination will never let you down. In a snap of a finger, you can create a happy memory, fly to a cheerful land and never be alone.
Dahl has written a number of Inspiring poems about creativity and imagination and Pure Imagination is a great piece for everyone.
Pure Imagination by Roald Dahl
Come with me and you’ll be
In a world of pure imagination
Take a look and you’ll see
Into your imagination
We’ll begin with a spin
Trav’ling in the world of my creation
What we’ll see will defy
Explanation
Refrain
If you want to view paradise
Simply look around and view it
Anything you want to, do it
Want to change the world, there’s nothing to it
There is no life I know
To compare with pure imagination
Living there, you’ll be free
If you truly wish to be
Refrain
There is no life I know
To compare with pure imagination
Living there, you’ll be free
If you truly wish to be
2| Poems of John Davidson Hardcover by John Davidson
John Davidson was a very talented and smart man, who would have deserved much more than what he got. His tragic story shows that talent doesn’t necessarily translate to success.
Despite his great works, French and German translations, he was struggling with financial and mental issues that led to his suicide.
His inspiring poems about life include Imagination, which shows nothing can be done without imagination.
All that has moved humanity forward was fueled by imagination. Without our mind’s hard work, not one person would become who they are now. One’s profession, life, and happiness are the result of their imagination.
Scientists, explorers, and inventors wouldn’t have changed the world and the course of history without their pioneering imagination.
Let John Davidson’s poem about imagination be your inspiration for life and do not be afraid to get creative when it comes to planning your future.
Imagination by John Davidson
There is a dish to hold the sea,
A brazier to contain the sun,
A compass for the galaxy,
A voice to wake the dead and done!
That minister of ministers,
Imagination, gathers up
The undiscovered Universe,
Like jewels in a jasper cup.
Its flame can mingle north and south;
Its accent with the thunder strive;
The ruddy sentence of its mouth
Can make the ancient dead alive.
The mart of power, the fount of will,
The form and mould of every star,
The source and bound of good and ill,
The key of all the things that are,
Imagination, new and strange
In every age, can turn the year;
Can shift the poles and lightly change
The mood of men, the world’s career.
1| The Poetry of Pablo Neruda Paperback by Pablo Neruda
Chilean poet, diplomat, and senator Pablo Neruda has led an extraordinary life. He was closely involved in politics, while always working hard for peace.
He has also received a Nobel Prize for literature in 1971.
Just by looking at his life many could be inspired; he was just as rational as sentimental throughout his life, never compromising his values.
‘Poetry’ is a fascinating poem about how much poetry means to Neruda. It has brought light, happiness and numerous wonders into his life. Among all inspiring poems about life, this piece shows no one is born with the right words.
Experience, a lot of thought and hard work can take you to the desired destination. No writer was born to be so articulate; each of the masterpieces is the result of hard work and a process that began with a couple of words.
It is up to you to write down the first words of your own story, then inspiration will come to shape into something beautiful.
Pablo Neruda wrote some of the most inspiring poems that will surely boost your creativity and imagination and will help you take the first steps toward fulfilling your dreams.
Poetry by Pablo Neruda
And it was at that age … Poetry arrived
in search of me. I don’t know, I don’t know where
it came from, from winter or a river.
I don’t know how or when,
no they were not voices, they were not
words, nor silence,
but from a street I was summoned,
from the branches of night,
abruptly from the others,
among violent fires
or returning alone,
there I was without a face
and it touched me.
I did not know what to say, my mouth
had no way
with names,
my eyes were blind,
and something started in my soul,
fever or forgotten wings,
and I made my own way,
deciphering
that fire,
and I wrote the first faint line,
faint, without substance, pure
nonsense,
pure wisdom
of someone who knows nothing,
and suddenly I saw
the heavens
unfastened
and open,
planets,
palpitating plantations,
shadow perforated,
riddled
with arrows, fire and flowers,
the winding night, the universe.
And I, infinitesimal being,
drunk with the great starry
void,
likeness, image of
mystery,
felt myself a pure part
of the abyss,
I wheeled with the stars,
my heart broke loose on the wind.
Thank you for reading!
Love these poems, thanks you for the inspiration! <3