Poems about Self-Love (2024)

‘Worth’ by Marilyn Nelson wrestles for an answer regarding both who and by what means do we prescribe value to other people and ourselves.

A topic that this poem explores is self-love. Ultimately, this is what the poem is about - finding and rooting one's worth in something they themselves value. The speaker latches onto the strength and awe elicited from the story about their great-grandfather, finding in it something priceless and eternally meaningful.

Today in America people were bought and sold:

five hundred for a "likely Negro wench."

If someone at auction is worth her weight in gold,

how much would she be worth by pound? By ounce?

‘Still I Rise’ is an inspiring and emotional poem that’s based around Maya Angelou’s experiences as a Black woman in America. It encourages readers to love themselves fully and persevere in the face of every hardship.

Self-love is a recurring theme in this poem, emphasizing the importance of valuing and accepting oneself unconditionally. Maya Angelou's poem promotes self-compassion, encouraging readers to embrace their worth and nurture a positive relationship with themselves.

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may trod me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, I'll rise.

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‘Sonnet to a Negro in Harlem’ by Helene Johnson is a deeply affecting poem that lucidly attempts to uncover a man’s shortcomings alongside all that makes his superbly admirable.

The poem also touches on this idea of self-love and even offers a vision of what that looks like. The Harlem man is no doubt an extreme example, but the drama with which Johnson illustrates him is steeped in passion. It is the voice of someone who desires to view themselves as they view this man who burns so brightly with the love he has for himself.

You are disdainful and magnificent—

Your perfect body and your pompous gait,

Your dark eyes flashing solemnly with hate,

Small wonder that you are incompetent

In ‘Teddy Bear,’ the titular stuffed bear frets about his chubby body. A chance encounter with a plump passerby helps Teddy realize that fat men can still be held in high esteem, giving him newfound confidence about his appearance.

This piece is the perfect children's fable about self-love. The titular bear is initially unhappy with his tubby body, but learns to take pride in it over the course of the poem.

A bear, however hard he tries,

Grows tubby without exercise.

Our Teddy Bear is short and fat,

Which is not to be wondered at;

‘& even the black guy’s profile reads ‘sorry, no black guys” by Danez Smith explores racial rejection, self-love, and empowerment.

The poem navigates the theme of self-love by portraying the internal struggle faced by individuals grappling with societal biases. The tulip shedding petals symbolizes the rejection of one's racial identity. The concluding affirmations challenge this internal conflict, promoting self-love and empowerment. The poem underscores the transformative journey towards embracing one's identity unapologetically, despite external pressures.

imagine a tulip, upon seeing a garden full of tulips, sheds its petals in disgust, prays some bee will bring its pollen to a rose bush. imagine shadows longing for a room with light in every direction. you look in the mirror & see a man you

‘In Celebration of My Uterus’ by Anne Sexton is an uplifting poem about the meaning of womanhood. The poem explores Sexton’s perspective on feminine identity.

Self-love takes a backseat but still remains an important topic in this poem. After all, it is Sexton's acceptance and love for her identity that produced 'In Celebration of My Uterus.'

Sweet weight,

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in celebration of the woman I am

and of the soul of the woman I am

and of the central creature and its delight

‘29 April 1989’ by Sujata Bhatt is a sweet, little piece about a mother’s sudden found pleasure in nature’s soggy musicality.

She’s three-months-old now,

asleep at last for the afternoon.

I’ve got some time to myself again

but I don’t know what to do.

‘Danse Ruse’ by William Carlos Williams explores self-expression, self-love, self-acceptance, and moments of solitude for happiness.

If I when my wife is sleeping

and the baby and Kathleen

are sleeping

and the sun is a flame-white disc

‘Got You’ by Jackie Kay is an interesting poem about sibling jealousy and the strength of sisterhood. The speaker is a discouraged child who believes her sister is superior to her in every way.

You know I am the shy one really, don’t you,

‘Inventory’ by Dorothy Parker is a thoughtful and entertaining poem. It outlines what the speaker has in her life, would be wiser to know, better off without, and more.

Four be the things I am wiser to know:

Idleness, sorrow, a friend, and a foe.

Four be the things I’d been better without:

Love, curiosity, freckles, and doubt.

‘Never Trust a Mirror’ by Erin Hanson is a poem about beauty and self-worth. The poet describes the untrustworthy nature of a mirror and how one shouldn’t take what they see in it for granted.

‘Pretty Ugly’ by Abdullah Shoaib cleverly explores the ups and downs of self-worth, body image, and confidence. The poem is meant to inspire readers to love themselves for who they are.

‘Publication is the auction’ by Emily Dickinson is about the poet’s feelings toward her own works. It gives insight into her character and values.

Publication – is the Auction

Of the Mind of Man –

Poverty – be justifying

For so foul a thing

‘Saint Francis and the Sow,’ a poem from Galway Kinnell’s collection Mortal Acts, Mortal Words (1980), explores the spiritual beauty inside each creature that is needed to be retaught and retouched for spiritual growth.

Robert Pinsky’s ‘Samurai Song’ shows readers a daunting path to achieve fearlessness, mental peace, and most importantly, freedom from all kinds of suffering.