Graduation season has a special place in my heart. Over the years, a high school teacher sees countless graduation ceremonies, yet each one is memorable. As you watch students cross the stage, move the tassel, and accept their diplomas, you can see a whole set of vivid futures.
From time to time, a parent will ask teachers to sign a card or book for their senior. Other times, I will give students a poem to take with them into the future. And at least once, I have been asked to recommend a poem for commencement. With all of these experiences, I have put together a solid collection of 8 poems for graduation season.
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Poems for Graduation Season
First, I don’t think you can do better than “The Summer Day” by Mary Oliver. Her closing question is perfect for seniors going off into the world. It captures the possibilities of graduation and casts them in a positive light. I’m not one for tattoos, but if I were, that last line would be on the list. Read it here.
A more traditional suggestion may be “When I Was One-and-Twenty” by A.E. Housman. I can’t remember the first time I read this poem, but it’s perfect for a college graduation. The humor and sincerity in this poem make it special, traditional, and forward-looking all at once. Read it here.
In countless graduation ceremonies, I’ve heard speakers allude to “To the Virgins to Make Much of Time” by Robert Herrick. Of course, while everyone tells listeners to “gather ye rosebuds,” I don’t know if I’ve ever heard a speaker name the poem. While no one wants to say “virgins” at a high school graduation, this poem may best capture the advice so many of us want to pass on to future generations. Read it here.
Maybe the longest poem on this list, “If-” by Rudyard Kipling is oftentimes a poem students have heard before. “If” has appeared in countless anthologies and commercials, but it has a message that’s well-suited to graduations season. If you’re looking to tuck a poem print out into a graduation card, this one might be my recommendation. Read it here.
Poems for Parents
For parents looking for the right words, these poems can capture the pride, nostalgia, and grief of graduation season. On one hand, you’re proud of your child for everything they have achieved. On the other hand, it’s hard to believe how far they’ve come, and it’s natural to mourn for their childhood as they move forward. Poems are apt to capture these complex emotions.
First, “[i carry your heart with me (i carry it in]” by E.E. Cummings captures a deeply felt love. Even the punctuation holds every emotion close and symbolizes an embrace. Sure, you might have heard this poem at a wedding, but the idea of “carrying a heart” inside sounds a lot like motherhood. Read it here.
Similarly, “What I Carried” and “You Could Never Take a Car to Greenland,” both by Maggie Smith, capture the complex texture of parenthood. Both of these poems are in Good Bones, a poetry collection that may also provide you some comfort if your child is getting ready to move on to the next stage in their life.
Honorable Mentions
First, “Ode to Teachers” by Pat More always feels like an oddly self-serving recommendation. However, if you’re looking for an end-of-year activity for seniors, this is a good one. Ask students to gift the poem (along with a heartfelt card) to a teacher or coach who has made an impact on their life. Read it here.
Finally, poetry is only one way to celebrate seniors during graduation season. If you’re looking for more ideas, I’ve got you covered. Check out my recommendations for celebrating graduation season!
