Free Graduation Poems

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Here are some free poems that can be used to enhance any graduation speech.

A poem can bring a polished, funny, poignant or rare emotional feeling to any Graduation Speech. Adding a good poem at the right point of a speech can remove any of your fears over having the right material and give a professional quality to your speech.

You should seek to suit the graduate, the family environment and your natural style as a person and speaker. This can call for humorous poems, poignant poems, poems that evoke memories, graduation poems that depict the challenge in getting through the studies and facing up to hard times. The graduation poem you require may symbolise the outstanding future that lies in front of you.

You may have a favourite song, poem or writer whose work you admire. Take a moment to reflect on what would suit the occasion and the people the best.

If you wish to have a highly personal, appropriate, inspirational and challenging poem produced for the graduation click here for a professional poem. Search for "graduation poems". This will give your graduation speech a truly professional edge and when framed give a wonderful momento of the occasion.

Below are lots of examples of free graduation poems, choose one that best suits your speech or even verse for inside a graduation card or invitation.

I have split them into the following categories which may make it easier to find what you after, alternatively just scroll down and enjoy them all:

• Inspirational Graduation Poems
• Friendship Graduation Poems
• Daughter Graduation Poems
• Thought Provoking Graduation Poems
• Short and Sweet Graduation Poems
• Preschool Graduation Poems
• Christian Graduation Poems
• Famous Graduation Poems
• Congratulating Graduation Poems
• Reminiscing Graduation Poems.
• Success Graduation Poems.
• Game Of Life Graduation Poems.
• Count The Day Graduation Poems.
• Laugh Graduation Poems.
• Be The Best Graduation Poems

Also, a fabulous high school graduation poem video.

If you scroll right to the bottom you'll also find some graduation poems submitted by generous readers. Give them a review or feel free to submit your own.

If you write your own poem you could submit your original poem and inspire other Visitors. This year we are having a prize fund of $100. Simply send in your poem and give yourself a chance of winning a prize.

Inspirational Graduation Poems - Don't Forget

Forget about the days
when it's been cloudy,
but don't forget your
hours in the sun.
Forget about the times
you've been defeated,
but don't forget
the victories you've won.
Forget about mistakes
that you can't change now,
but don't forget the lessons
that you've learned.
Forget about misfortunes
you've encountered,
but don't forget the times
your luck has turned.
Forget about the days
when you've been lonely,
but don't forget the friendly
smiles you've seen.
Forget about plans
that didn't seem
to work out right,
but don't forget to always
have a dream.

By Amanda Bradley

Inspirational Graduation Poems - "Dream Big"

If there were ever a time to dare,
To make a difference
To embark on something worth doing
It is now.
Not for any grand cause, necessarily -
But for something that tugs at your heart
Something that is worth your aspiration
Something that is your dream.
You owe it to yourself
To make your days count.
Have fun. Dig deep. Stretch.

Dream big.
Know, though,
That things worth doing
Seldom come easy,
There will be times when you want to
Turn around
Pack it up and call it quits
Those times tell you
That you are pushing yourself
And that you are not afraid to learn by trying.

Persist.
Because with an idea,
Determination and the right tools,
You can do great things.
Let your instincts, your intellect
And let your heart guide you.

Trust.
Believe in the incredible power
Of the human mind
Of doing something that makes a difference
Of working hard
Of laughing and hoping
Of lasting friends
Of all the things that will cross your path

Next year
The start of something new
Brings the hope of something great.
Anything is possible
There is only one you
And you will pass this way but once.
Do it right.

Author Unknown

Inspirational Graduation Poems - Nothing To Fear

There's nothing to fear -
you're as good as the best,
As strong as the mightiest, too.
You can win in every battle or test;
For there's no one just like you.
There's only one you in the world today;
So nobody else, you see,
Can do your work in as fine a way:
You're the only you there'll be!
So face the world, and all life is yours
To conquer and love and live:
And you'll find the happiness that endures
In just the measure you give;
There's nothing too good for you to possess,
Nor heights where you cannot go:
Your power is more than belief or guess -
It is something you have to know.
There is nothing to fear -
you can and you will.
For you are the invincible you.
Set your foot on the highest hill -
There's nothing you cannot do.

Author Unknown

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Inspirational Graduation Poems - Never Stop Learning

On this, your graduation day all stand and give cheer
to honor you for all the work you've done to get you here.
As we rise and give applause be sure you don't forget
that learning is not over as your future plans are met.
May you always be a listener and learn from all you meet
always keep a student's spirit and your life will be complete.

Author Unknown

Friendship Graduation Poems - Graduation Day

The more I look back on all the happy times
the easier it is for me to realize
that friends are much more then hellos and goodbye
it all comes down to what you have inside.
Yes, some are good singers and some are athletic
but that doesn't matter (are you starting to get it?)
all that is important is the feeling inside
if your white or black or green or blue eyed.
For me to sit and say "I wont miss this old place"
is wrong and untrue (cant you tell in my face?)
all the friends and teachers meant so much to me
I don't know any place that I'd rather be.
"Those were the days", I'd here my parents say.
cherish there years...each and everyday
The people you'll meet and the places you'll go
and the hurt once that's gone is more then you'll know.
All my friends will be leaving and I'll still be here
All my friends I'll be losing is my greatest fear
Promise you wont forget me as you go away,
promise you'll be back to see me someday!

© Grimm, 7/16/97

Friendship Graduation Poems - Goodbye Dear Friend And Graduate!

Goodbye, dear friend and graduate!
Our golden time is over now,
Our time of nothing more than time,
Days of simply being friends.
But I will always treasure how
Your love for me slipped into mine,
Embracing me where courage ends.
Graduation is a time
For feeling very proud,
For thinking lots of lovely thoughts
And saying them out loud…'

By Claudio Monteverdi

Graduation Poems Daughter - A poem for a graduating daughter

Young woman, my daughter,
my joy and my heart,
You've reached the end
only to find a new start.
The world sees the young woman
with her charm and her smile,
but behind the woman,
I will always see the child.

Author Unknown

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Thought Provoking Graduation Poem - "Anyway"

People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior
motives.
Do good anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable
Be frank and honest anyway.
People favor underdogs but will follow only top dogs.
Fight for some underdogs anyway.
People may need help, but may attack you if you help them.
Help people anyway.
What you spend your years building may be destroyed
overnight.
Build away.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

Author Unknown

Graduation Poems - Short and Sweet 1

"The fundamentals of a person are not in substance, but in spirits."

Author Unknown

Graduation Poems - Short and Sweet 2

'Graduation ought not be an end,
Replacing what within we might achieve.
After all, the good that we intend
does much to serve the good that we receive'

By Thomas Tallis

Graduation Poems - Short and Sweet 3

'Hail to the graduate!
Looking great and feeling fit!
Oh, so proud and full of it!
This day belongs to you.'

Author Unknown

Graduation Poems - Short and Sweet 4

You are completing
a wonderful journey and
I am proud of you
and all that you have
accomplished.
Reach for the stars and
you will find your dreams.

Author Unknown

Graduation Poems - Short and Sweet 5

Congratulations
and best wishes
on this special day.
This is just the beginning
of the bright path
that's filled with your
hopes and dreams.

Author Unknown

Graduation Poems - Short and Sweet 6

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
Any direction you choose.

Author Unknown

Graduation Poems - Short and Sweet 7

On Graduation
Very well done, dear (graduate's name)
You're special through & through.
You've had sucess with flying colours
I'm so very proud of you.
You were once a helpless baby,
But, even then I knew,
You had strength and determination,
To always see you through.

Author Unknown

Preschool Graduation Poem

I know numbers , I know shapes
I know purple stands for grapes
I know red, white and blue
I know green and yellow too!
I've made friends and know how to share
What is wrong and what is fair
I know what policeman and mailman do
Nurses and fireman too!
I know rhymes, I know sounds
I've had ups and I've had downs
I've been quiet and times I've wiggled
I've sat still and sometimes giggled
We've worked all year for this degree
There now aren't you proud of ME!
So it's with happy memories
We send them out the door
With great hope and expectations
For what next year holds in store.

Author Unknown

Christian Graduation Poem

Fear not that you might make a mistake in believing your dream.
Fear rather that if you don't go for it You might stand before God and he'll tell you
you could have succeeded had you had a little more faith.
Fear not that you might fail.
Fear rather that you will never succeed if you never try and if you are unwilling to
take risks.
Fear not that you might get hurt.
Fear rather that you will never grow if you wait for painless success.
The old man said to the young man,
"Why not go out, on a limb, After all isn't that where the fruit is?"

Author Unknown

Famous Graduation Poems - My Uncle Terwilliger on the Art of Eating Popovers By Dr Seuss amples of Graduation Verses

This following was written and performed by Dr Seuss on the occasion of his graduation with an Honorary Degree in 1977 at Lake Forest College.

My uncle ordered popovers
from the restaurant's bill of fare.
And, when they were served,
he regarded them with
a penetrating stare...
Then he spoke great Words of Wisdom
as he sat there on that chair:
"To eat these things,"
said my uncle,
"you must exercise great care.
You may swallow down what's solid...
BUT...
you must spit out the air!"
And...
as you partake of the world's bill of fare,
that's darned good advice to follow.
Do a lot of spitting out the hot air.
And be careful what you swallow.

Famous Graduation Poems - All the World's a Stage by William Shakespeare

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first, the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms.
Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress' eyebrow. Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honor, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon's mouth. And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lined,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slippered pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side;
His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

Famous - My Heart Leaps Up by William Wordsworth

My heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began;
So is it now I am a man;
So be it when I shall grow old,
Or let me die!
The Child is father of the Man;
And I could wish my days to be
Bound each to each by natural piety.

Congratulating Graduation Poems - The World is Your Oyster

Despite all that late night drinking
And dossing round in bed
The World is now your oyster
So go and knock 'em dead
Cos, despite yourself, you've done it
You clearly got it right
Now you've got your diploma
Your future's looking bright
Heartiest Congratulations on Graduating

Author Unknown

Reminiscing Graduation Poem - Graduation Day

Graduation Day is the climax of a dream.
A parental dream that began when a child is born,
And their hope come true it would seem,
A triumph held after periods of forlorn,
A feeling of pride and euphoria years away
For a daughter or son - Graduation Day.
It is a peak of success for the graduate,
Not only for the graduate but parents too.
A joyful event after many years they had to wait,
Realizing the glorious thrill of a dream come true,
A genuine smile accompanied by a deep sigh,
Often a handkerchief in hand as the class goes by.
Graduation is a deserving, hard earned goal
With mortarboard and gown as foretold,
A gratifying service of the mind and soul
In a simple and beautiful sheepskin told
That the graduate fulfilled the educational rule.
At last, for the mother and father, a dream come true.
Graduation Day!

By Joseph T. Renaldi

Success Graduation Poems

You ask me what I call Success -
It is, I wonder, Happiness?

It is not wealth, it is not fame,
Nor rank, nor power nor honoured name.
It is not triumph in the Arts -
Best-selling books or leading parts.
It is not plaudits of the crowd,
The flame of flags, processions proud.
The panegyrics of the Press
are but the mirage of Success.
You may have all of them, my friend,
Yet be a failure in the end.

I've know proud Presidents of banks
Who've fought their way up from the ranks,
And party leaders of renown
Who played as boys in Shantytown.
Strong, self-made men, yet seek to trace
Benignity in any face;
Grim purpose, mastery maybe,
Yet never sweet serenity;
Never contentment, thoughts that bless -
That mellow joy I deem Success.

The haply seek some humble hearth,
Quite poor in goods yet rich in mirth,
And see a man of common clay
Watching his little ones at play;
A laughing fellow full of cheer,
Health, strength and faith that mocks at fear;
Who for his happiness relies
On joys he lights in other eyes;
He loves his home and envies none. . . .
Who happier beneath the sun?

Aye, though he walk in lowly ways,
Shining Success has crowned his days.

by Robert William Service

Playing The Game Graduation Poems

Life is a game with a glorious prize,
If we can only play it right.
It is give and take, build and break,
And often it ends in a fight;
But he surely wins who honestly tries
(Regardless of wealth or fame),
He can never despair who plays it fair -
How are you playing the game?
Do you wilt and whine, if you fail to win
In the manner you think your due?
Do you sneer at the man in case that he can
And does, do better than you?
Do you take your rebuffs with a knowing grin?
Do you laugh tho' you pull up lame?
Does your faith hold true when the whole world's blue?
How are you playing the game?
Get into the thick of it - wade in, boys!
Whatever your cherished goal;
Brace up your will till your pulses thrill,
And you dare - to your very soul!
Do something more than make a noise;
Let your purpose leap into flame
As you plunge with a cry, "I shall do or die,"
Then you will be playing the game.

Author Unknown

You May Count That Day Graduation Poems

If you sit down at set of sun
And count the acts that you have done,
And, counting, find
One self-denying deed, one word
That eased the heart of him who heard -
One glance most kind,
That fell like sunshine where it went -
Then you may count that day well spent.
But if, through all the livelong day,
You've cheered no heart, by yea or nay -
If, through it all
You've nothing done that you can trace
That brought the sunshine to one face -
No act most small
That helped some soul and nothing cost -
Then count that day as worse than lost.

by George Eliot

Laugh a Little Bit Graduation Poems

Here's a motto, just your fit -
Laugh a little bit.
When you think you're trouble hit,
Laugh a little bit.
Look misfortune in the face.
Brave the beldam's rude grimace;
Ten to one 'twill yield its place,
If you have the wit and grit
Just to laugh a little bit.
Keep your face with sunshine lit,
Laugh a little bit.
All the shadows off will flit,
If you have the grit and wit
Just to laugh a little bit.
Cherish this as sacred writ -
Laugh a little bit.
Keep it with you, sample it,
Laugh a little bit.
Little ills will sure betide you,
Fortune may not sit beside you,
Men may mock and fame deride you,
But you'll mind them not a whit
If you laugh a little bit.

by Edmund Vance Cooke

Be the Best of Whatever You Are Graduation Poems

Be the Best of Whatever You Are
If you can't be a pine on the top of the hill
Be a scrub in the valley - but be
The best little scrub by the side of the rill;
Be a bush if you can't be a tree.
If you can't be a bush be a bit of the grass,
And some highway some happier make;
If you can't be a muskie then just be a bass -
But the liveliest bass in the lake!
We can't all be captains, we've got to be crew,
There's something for all of us here.
There's big work to do and there's lesser to do,
And the task we must do is the near.
If you can't be a highway then just be a trail,
If you can't be the sun be a star;
It isn't by size that you win or you fail -
Be the best of whatever you are!

by Douglas Malloch

High School Graduation Poem Video

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