25 Figurative Language Poem Examples That Will Transform Your Writing

Hi, Friend! Jen Glantz here. I’m a bestselling author, the first ever bridesmaid for hire and have been hired by hundreds of brides all over the world. Let’s talk about figurative language poem examples.

I remember sitting in a crowded coffee shop, staring at a blank page, trying to write a speech for my best friend’s wedding. The emotions were there—I knew how much I loved her—but the words felt flat. I couldn’t figure out how to translate that warm, fuzzy feeling in my chest into sentences that wouldn’t bore a room full of strangers. I was stuck in literal mode.

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The problem with literal language is that it puts you in a box. You’re stuck with basic adjectives and adverbs that rarely capture the full picture. To really connect with people, you need figurative language. Below, we’re exploring the best figurative language poem examples to help you say exactly what you mean, without sounding like a robot.

Quick Resources:

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TL;DR

• Go for the gut: Choose poems that make you feel something, rather than ones that look smart on paper.

• Read the room: Make sure the vibe matches the event. Don’t read a breakup poem at a wedding (obviously).

• Keep it fresh: Look for texts that feel modern and authentic, even if they were written a century ago.

• Get backup: If writing isn’t your thing, there are tools and pros out there to help bridge the gap.

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Picking a Poem (Without a Literature Degree)

You don’t need to pick a dusty classic just to sound smart. In fact, you shouldn’t. You want to choose something that packs a punch without confusing your audience. If people have to think too hard to understand the metaphor, you’ve lost them. We prioritize emotional connection and clarity over everything else.

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If you’re worried about boring the crowd, check out these short poem examples for unforgettable occasions. Sometimes, keeping it brief is the best move. Ultimately, you want something that speaks to the moment you’re in right now.

What to look for	The Academic Way (Boring)	The Real Way (Better)
Goal	Analyze structure and meter.	Connect with how people feel.
Complexity	Uses confusing, deep metaphors.	Uses clear, relatable images.
Length	Long, multi-page epics.	Short, punchy, and memorable.
Relevance	Focuses on history.	Focuses on universal themes.

The Top 25 Figurative Language Poem Examples

Here is a breakdown of the best texts for different vibes. We’ve categorized them by theme so you can find exactly what you need, whether you are writing vows, a toast, or a motivational speech.

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Love & Devotion

These are heavy on similes and metaphors to describe affection. They work great for weddings, anniversaries, or love letters. If you need more specific inspiration for your vows, take a look at our list of love poem examples.

1. A Red, Red Rose by Robert Burns

This is basically the gold standard for “I love you” poems. It uses symbols everyone understands. The exaggeration (hyperbole) about the seas going dry emphasizes that you aren’t going anywhere, making it a killer line for wedding vows.

Try this: Don’t read the whole thing. Just steal the hyperbole.

• Draft: “I will love you until the seas go dry, and the rocks melt with the sun. Like Burns wrote, my love is deep, and I promise to stand by you no matter how much time passes.”

2. How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43) by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

This one is famous for a reason. It tries to measure something that can’t be measured. It talks about love in physical and spiritual ways, but it’s still distinct enough to sound fresh in a modern speech.

3. She Walks in Beauty by Lord Byron

Byron was all about contrast. This text describes beauty by balancing dark and bright elements. It’s a great example of how opposing descriptions can actually create a perfect picture of someone.

4. i carry your heart with me(i carry it in] by E.E. Cummings

A masterclass in breaking the rules. The weird grammar and structure emphasize that love doesn’t always follow logic. It’s a huge favorite for modern readings because it feels raw and real.

5. Yours by Daniel Hoffman

Hoffman keeps it grounded. His metaphors are earthy—comparing love to wild strawberries rather than flowery, abstract concepts. Perfect for a wedding that’s a little less traditional.

Nature & Imagery

These examples are all about painting a picture. They show you how to describe a scene so vividly the audience feels like they are there. To see how writers give human traits to objects, check out these personification poem examples.

The Device	What it means	Example
Personification	Giving human traits to non-human things.	I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud (Dancing daffodils)
Extended Metaphor	A comparison that keeps going.	Fog (Fog compared to a cat)
Imagery	Writing you can “see.”	The Eagle (Clasping the crag with crooked hands)
Allusion	Referencing another famous story.	Nothing Gold Can Stay (Reference to Eden)

6. I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud by William Wordsworth

This poem is packed with literary devices, but it doesn’t feel cluttered. It takes the feeling of loneliness and flips it into a joyous connection with nature. It’s the go-to example for seeing the world through a different lens.

7. The Eagle by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Tennyson proves you don’t need a thousand words to make a point. In just six lines, he delivers a massive visual. The eagle “clasping the crag” with hands is a perfect example of personification.

8. Fog by Carl Sandburg

Simple and effective. The metaphor of fog as a cat has no hidden, pretentious meaning—it’s just a pure image. It shows how a single comparison can carry an entire piece of writing.

9. Hope is the thing with feathers by Emily Dickinson

This one hits home for a lot of people. It gives a physical form (a bird) to an abstract feeling (hope). It’s a message of resilience that feels very relevant right now.

10. Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost

Frost uses references to Eden to talk about how perfection never lasts. It teaches us that figurative language can soften the blow of sad truths, making it a good fit for moments of reflection.

Resilience & Motivation

Need to hype someone up? These pieces use exaggeration and metaphors to inspire strength. They are great for graduations or leadership speeches. For a deeper dive on using comparisons for impact, look at these powerful metaphor poem examples.

11. Still I Rise by Maya Angelou

This is the ultimate anthem of defiance. The language empowers the speaker against oppression, making it an incredibly powerful tool for motivation.

Try this: Use the “rising” imagery in a toast to a friend overcoming hardship.

• Draft: “We have watched you face challenges that would have stopped anyone else. But like dust, like air, you rose. Your resilience is the most inspiring thing I have ever witnessed.”

12. Mother to Son by Langston Hughes

Hughes uses a staircase as a metaphor for life’s struggles. The dialect and clear imagery make the message feel personal and gritty. It’s excellent for understanding how your “voice” changes a metaphor.

13. Invictus by William Ernest Henley

This poem is intense. The metaphor of the “black pit” and the “unconquerable soul” makes it a staple for speeches about leadership and controlling your own destiny.

14. The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman

Gorman brings it to the modern era. As a spoken-word piece, it shows that how it sounds (alliteration, rhythm) is just as important as the visual imagery.

15. Firework by Katy Perry

Yes, it’s a pop song, but it counts. It shows younger generations that figurative language is everywhere. The metaphors are clear, empowering, and easy to understand.

The Human Condition

These poems use symbolism and irony to explore the big, messy lessons of life.

16. The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Everyone knows the “yellow wood,” but most people miss the point. It uses paths to discuss decision-making, asking the reader to look deeper than the surface to understand regret and choice.

17. Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Shelley uses a shattered statue to warn us against arrogance. It’s a powerful reminder to stay humble, which is a lesson that applies pretty much everywhere, from business to politics.

Poem Title	The Symbol	The Lesson
The Road Not Taken	Two diverging paths	Choices shape who we are (even the ones we regret).
Ozymandias	A broken statue	Power is fleeting; time wins in the end.
Fire and Ice	Elements (Fire/Ice)	Passion and hatred are both destructive.
Harlem	A raisin in the sun	If you ignore your dreams, they might destroy you.

18. Harlem (A Dream Deferred) by Langston Hughes

This text asks a question and answers it with a bunch of different, vivid images. It’s a great lesson in brainstorming—coming up with multiple comparisons for a single subject.

19. Fire and Ice by Robert Frost

Frost uses symbolism to contrast desire and hate. It’s a quick, sharp example of how to apply opposites to a massive concept like the end of the world.

20. We Real Cool by Gwendolyn Brooks

Brooks emphasizes the rhythm over the description. The beat mimics the fast-paced nature of youth. It feels incredibly modern, even today.

Whimsy & Hyperbole

These examples use exaggeration for effect. They are perfect for entertainment and lighthearted toasts.

21. Sick by Shel Silverstein

Silverstein uses hyperbole to build a funny story about faking sick. It’s accessible and fun, demonstrating how overstatement creates humor.

22. The Chaos by Gerard Nolst Trenité

This poem focuses on how weird English pronunciation is. It highlights the auditory side of language and serves as a total tongue-twister.

23. Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll

Carroll forces you to figure out the meaning through sound and structure. It encourages creativity by using nonsense words that somehow still make sense.

24. Introduction to Poetry by Billy Collins

Collins criticizes how we over-analyze art. His metaphors urge readers to just experience the imagery rather than dissecting it to death. A refreshing take on reading.

25. This Is Just To Say by William Carlos Williams

Williams finds poetry in the mundane. The imagery reads like a note on a fridge, showing that figurative language exists even in everyday apologies.

Try this: Use the structure of this poem for a funny apology note to a roommate or partner.

• Draft: “I have eaten / the leftover pizza / that was in / the box / and which / you were probably / saving / for breakfast / Forgive me / it was delicious / so cheesy / and cold.”

When You Can’t Find the Right Words (We Can Help)

Analyzing these examples reminds us that expressing emotion is hard. And in the high-pressure environment of a wedding, you might not have the brainpower to be a poet. That’s where Bridesmaid for Hire comes in.

Get help finding the right words with the AI Wedding Speech Generator

If you’re staring at a blank page and panicking, our AI wedding speech writing tool can turn your scattered memories into a polished toast. For a more detailed breakdown of how to structure your thoughts, our wedding speech guide walks you through it step-by-step. And if you just need someone to handle the drama, Jen Glantz is there to effectively be your professional bestie. We provide the structure you need so you can actually enjoy the party.

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Final Thoughts

Figurative language changes the way we communicate. It allows us to share experiences and emotions that plain, literal language simply can’t capture. Whether you steal a line from a classic poem or use modern tools to help you write your own, the goal is the same: to connect authentically with the people listening. Take these examples and use them to level up your next speech, letter, or moment of reflection.