16 Poems That Inspire

We all need to inspire others and be inspired at some point in our life. Let these poems inspire, motivate, and encourage you. The words of the poets are inspiring ones that can help us look at a situation in a different light. May you be persuaded to find the positive in anything that life throws your way! Share them with others who need a positive thought for their day!
Updated August 5, 2024, by Julie Hebert

Best Wishes Quotes   |   poems that inspire

  1. Exhausted
    Poet: Julie Hebert

    Physically and mentally exhausted, though I keep pushing through,
    Desperate for a nice long break, can't stop but overdo.

    Fooling those around me, at least that's what I think,
    The days keep getting shorter, gone by with just a blink.

    Even weekends seem too busy, on Sunday there's no rest,
    Expectations from those around me, always needing to be my best.

    The pressures of this era, the need to have it all,
    It's killing the human spirit, making us all hit a wall.

    This wasn't why we were created, or who we were meant to be,
    Robots in it for only money, self-centered absentees.

    No, we were created for something different, a purpose much greater than us,
    Our God-given talents have been wasted, and most people have much mistrust.

    But we don't have to live like this, it was never the intent,
    We are to love and care for one another, which is time truly well spent.

    I don't want to be physically and mentally exhausted, or feel the need to push on through,
    I want to make a difference in the lives of those around me, and that's how my life will be renewed.



  2. I want to make a difference in the lives of those around me


  3. Re-Calibrate The World
    Poet: Julie Hebert

    This world can be many things,
    Amazing, beautiful, and filled with light.
    But darkness lives among us too,
    Causing havoc, sorrow, and fright.

    Many out of anger and humiliation,
    Keep the darkness rolling along.
    “It was done to me, so I’ll do it to him,”
    And the darkness stays pretty strong.

    But what we really need to do is snuff the dark out,
    Find ways to spread light instead of dark.
    Let's make this darkness inspire love and joy,
    A new way of life we should all embark.

    Anger is passed on in many ways,
    Impatience and yelling to name a few.
    Don’t spout anger and be unkind as you walk through the door
    Spread love and kindness to the next person in view.

    Deception can come from the young to the old,
    Causing mistrust and feelings of defeat.
    Don’t try and fool or take advantage of the next,
    Be honest with everyone you meet.

    Items are stolen every day,
    With great losses and violated thoughts.
    Don’t look to replace what was lost by taking another,
    Instead, donate to charity spots.

    If illness pangs you or someone you love,
    Don’t get angry or feel all alone.
    Find ways to give back and help others get through,
    Even if it's just on the phone.

    I pray that you never have to go through a loss,
    But in life, this is unlikely true.
    If it's possible and the choice is up to you,
    Why not donate organs to save a few.

    There are many ways to take the bad,
    And flip it into something good.
    Imagine if we all changed our ways,
    Spreading light to our neighborhood.




  4. May these poems inspire You to help others:

    Poems About Giving

    Poems About Giving To Others

    Kindness Poems




  5. A Funny Thing
    Poet: Unknown

    It is a funny thing, but true,
    That folks you don’t like, don’t like you;
    I don’t know why this should be so,
    But just the same I always know
    If I am "sour", friends are few;

    If I am friendly, folks are, too.
    Sometimes I get up in the morn
    A-wishin’ I was never horn;
    I make of cross remarks a few,

    And then my family wishes, too,
    That I had gone some other place
    Instead of showing them my face.
    But let me change my little "tune"

    And sing and smile, then pretty soon
    The folks around me sing and smile;
    I guess ’twas catching all the while.
    Yes, ’tis a funny thing, but true,
    The folks you like will sure like you.




  6. Be inspired by these poems:

    Celebration Poems

    Wish Poems

    Poems About Memories




  7. Boost And Make'er Go
    Poet: David V. Bush

    Don't have a face so glum and long
    You look like a baboon,
    But have a grin around your chin
    Like the smile upon the moon.
    So with a smile meet every foe;
    Just boost’er up and make’er go.

    Don’t wear a grouch about the times
    Or business poor and dull;
    But have a grin around your chin
    Away up to your skull.
    Don’t you pull back, or don’t go slow,
    Just boost away and make’er go.

    Don’t prophesy and always say,
    “The job’s too big for us.”
    Don’t always kick and play "Old Nick"
    Don’t growl and carp and fuss.
    The one who makes the coin - the "dough"
    Must boost away and make’er go.

    Don't criticise and shake your head;
    Don't stamp and storm around;
    Don't block the wheel because you feel
    A little blue or down.
    Do not retreat and don't say, "no;"
    Just boost away and mak’e'er go.




  8. Be inspired by these poems:

    Happy Poems

    Poems About Joy




    May this inspiring poem below influence and prompt you to use kind words. As they say, think before you speak. Be inspired and reflect on how easy it is to show kindness to others.

  9. Nay, Speak No Ill
    Poet: Unknown

    Nay, speak no ill; a kindly word
    Can never leave a sting behind;
    And oh! to breathe each tale we've heard
    Is far beneath a noble mind.

    Full oft a better seed is sown
    By choosing thus the kinder plan;
    For if but little good be known,
    Still let us speak the best we can.

    Give me a heart that fain would hide,
    Would fain another's faults efface;
    How can it pleasure human pride
    To prove humanity is base?

    Then, speak no ill, but lenient be
    To others' failing as your own;
    If you're the first the fault to see,
    Be not the first to make it known.

    For life is but a passing day;
    No lip may tell how brief its span;
    Then, oh! what little time we stay,
    Let's speak of all the best we can.



  10. Let's speak of all the best we can.


    May this short inspiring poem be one that motivates you to take challenges and turn them into stepping stones.
    Your attitude will determine your success in life.

  11. A Bag Of Tools
    Poet: R. L. Sharpe

    Each is given a bag of tools
    A shapeless mass
    A book of rules;
    And each must make
    Ere life is flown,
    A stumbling block
    Or a stepping-stone.



  12. This inspiring poem is one that may make you smile but also will influence you to look at the positive side of things.
    Stay optimistic, life is much easier with this type of outlook on life.


  13. An Open Letter To The Pessimist
    Poet: Nixon Waterman

    Brother - you with growl and frown
    Why don't you move from Grumbletown,
    Where everything is tumbled down
    And skies are dark and dreary?
    Move over into Gladville where
    Your face will don a happy air;
    And lay aside that look of care
    For smiles all bright and cheery.

    In Grumbletown there's not a joy
    But has a shadow of alloy
    That must its happiness destroy
    And make you to regret it.
    In Gladville they have not a care
    But what it looks inviting there
    And has about it something fair
    That makes you glad to get it.

    'Tis strange how different these towns
    Of ours are! Good cheer abounds
    In one, and gruesome growls and frowns
    Are always in the other.
    If you - your sides of ashen gray
    Would change for sunny smiles of May,
    From Grumbletown, oh! haste away;
    Move into Gladville, brother.



  14. Sources Of Inspiration
    Poet: C. A. Lynch

    My parents, my teachers and my friends,
    Have always been sources of inspiration.
    Their devotion to me never ends;
    They help shape my decisions with wise information.

    From each of these people I do learn.
    Love and guidance they encourage me,
    To have confidence and never give up
    And to be the best that I can be.




  15. Poems to reflect on:

    Poems To Inspire Students

    Poems To Inspire Teachers

    Poems About Education

    Poems About Learning




  16. An Incredible Journey
    Poet: C. A. Lynch

    Life is an incredible journey,
    don't forget to enjoy!
    Living each day in a blaze of joy,
    it's for us to deploy.

    We will pass through valleys of pain
    and darkness so deep.
    But take heart and look up;
    a brighter future we seek.

    There is beauty in our struggles,
    it brings strength from within.
    When we learn to embrace the storms,
    life brings us to win!

    Treasure each opportunity
    that comes our way
    Finding strength and joy
    as we do each day!




  17. Find inspiration in these poems:

    Poems On Life

    Positive Poems

    Wisdom Poems





    We hope this poem inspires you to use your time wisely. We are all given the same amount of minutes each day, the difference between us is how we use them.

  18. Time
    Poet: Unknown

    A minute,--how soon it is flown!
    And yet, how important it is!
    God calls every moment His own,--
    For all our existence is His:
    And tho' we may waste many moments each day,
    He notices each that we squander away.

    We should not a minute despise,
    Although it so quickly is o'er;
    We know that it rapidly flies,
    And therefore should prize it the more.
    Another, indeed, may appear in its stead;
    But that precious minute, for ever, is fled.

    'Tis easy to squander our years
    In idleness, folly, and strife;
    But, oh! no repentance nor tears
    Can bring back one moment of life.
    Then wisely improve all the time as it goes,
    And life will be happy, and peaceful the close.



  19.  A minute,--how soon it is flown! And yet, how important it is!


  20. Wishing And Working
    Poet: Willis Warren Kent

    I wish for such a lot of things
    I know I can't possess;
    It sometimes seems my thoughts have wings
    Toward naught but idleness.
    I guess I'd better harness them
    And make them do some work,
    For that's the only way to stem
    My tendency to shirk.
    I wished to be a man, but now
    I'll work to be a man;
    It may be hard, but anyhow
    I'll do the best I can.
    I'll help whenever Mother asks;
    I'll heed what she may say;
    I'll find my little homely tasks
    And do them now, today.

    I wished for wisdom; now I'll take
    My books from off the shelf
    And study very hard, and make
    A wise man of myself.
    I wished for this, I wished for that,
    I dreamed of wealth and fame,
    And never knew what I was at
    Was very poor and tame.
    I tell you, boys, a wish or sigh
    Will never bring you far;
    But if you work, and if you try,
    You show what man you are;
    Then all that hinders seems to aid
    In such a wondrous wise,
    You quite forget to feel afraid
    Through all your glad surprise!




  21. Be inspired by these poems:

    Time Poems

    Poems About The Future

    Poems About Expectations




  22. Out In The Air
    Poet: Unknown

    Out in an air where fresh breezes blow
    Away all the cobwebs that sometimes grow
    In the brains of those who turn from the light
    To all gloomy thoughts instead of the bright.
    Contend with such foes and put them to rout;
    Get out!



  23. Endless Inspiration
    Poet: C. A. Lynch

    In the echo of a dream, in a dew-kissed morn,
    In the canvas of the sky, as day is born.
    Deep within our hearts, where whispers reside,
    Inspiration finds its birth, where dreams abide.

    In whispers of leaves, in the river's song,
    In life's quiet moments when shadows are long.
    Look inside and around with belief in your eyes,
    And find endless inspiration under open skies.



  24. Look inside and around with belief in your eyes, And find endless inspiration under open skies.


  25. Keep Your Dreams
    Poet: Edgar Guest

    Keep your dreams - they're richer far
    Than the facts discovered are.

    Do not seek all things to touch;
    Do not want to know too much.

    Growing old, still play the child;
    Keep some glory undefiled.

    What if clouds are mist and air?
    Still see ships sailing there.

    What would life be if we knew
    Only those things which are true?

    If the things of bad and good
    Were by all men understood.

    Nature's hills and brooks and springs
    Would be catalogued as things.

    Keep your dreams, for in them lies
    Joy denied to men grown wise.

    Still build castles in the air!
    Still see white ships sailing there!

    Still have something to pursue,
    Something which you wish you knew.



  26. Talent vs Tact
    Poet: Unknown

    Talent is power;
    Tact is skill

    Talent is weight;
    Tact is momentum.

    Talent knows what to do;
    Tact knows how to do it.

    Talent makes a man respectable;
    Tact will make him respected.

    Talent is wealth;
    Tact is ready money.

    Talent is pleased that it ought to have succeeded;
    Tact is delighted that it has succeeded.

    Talent toils for a posterity which will never repay it
    Tact throws away no pains, but catches the passions of the passing hour.

    Talent builds for eternity;
    Tact for a short lease, and gets good interest




  27. Be inspired by these poems:

    New Beginning Poems

    Poems About Hope

    Poems About Dreams




  28. Some Folks
    Poet: Roy W. Potter

    Some folks are like the proverbial ''ill wind,"
    always "blowing" but seldom doing any good.

    Others are like the moaning sea,
    ''casting up dirt and mire" as they moan.

    Still others are like Gibraltar  -
    having a good reputation for stability and always found there.

    But some are like the gentle dews of Heaven -
    quiet, but, oh, how refreshing!

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