Free Graduation Poems

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I hope to give you poems that suit the graduate, the family, poignant poems, poems that evoke memories, poems that depict the challenge in getting through the studies and facing up to hard times.

The poem you require may symbolize the outstanding future that lies in front of you.

There are also some excellent poems by other visitors.

I have split the some of the poems into categories which may make it easier to find the one you need, alternatively just scroll down and enjoy them all:

• Graduation Day
• Never Stop Learning
• Goodbye
• Daughter
• Inspirational Poems
• Friendship Poems
• Son by Joy
• Mama by Samantha M. Juday
• Thought Provoking
• Short and Sweet Poems
• Preschool
• Christian
• Famous Poets
• Congratulating Poems
• Success
• Game Of Life
• Count The Day
• Laugh
• Be The Best
• A New Beginning
• Looks Like You've Made It
• When Will I See You Again
• Off To College
• So Tall
• Here We Finally Are by Maison (San Antonio,Texas,United States)
• Excitement

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

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

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

There are lots more daughter poems here.

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

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 (can't 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

Graduation Poems Son - Seeing You Through

A great poem submitted by Joy of Orange County, California.

Time went by so quickly,
A fine young man you've grown to be.
You've reached the end of this life's chapter
A bright future awaits you hereafter.

DREAM BIG. TRUST. BELIEVE. BE CONFIDENT.
You can do better than your best
New adventures, a brand new start
Find your place among the stars!
CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATE (PERSON'S NAME).
You make us very proud!

Graduation Poems - Mama

Can you believe it
it's the end of the year
Time to walk down the isle
and get my diploma to make you proud,
there isn't a cloud in the sky
nor a dry eye in the crowd
on faces of family and friends

there is gonna be places I am going,
dreams to make come true
I am gonna see it through,
time to make another chapter in my life
there will be laughter
and MaMa there will be you...

by Samantha M. Juday from Centralia,Illinois

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

Poems - Short and Sweet 1

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

Author Unknown

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

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

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 success with flying colors
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

There are lots more preschool poems here.

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

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 bard,
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

Congratulating Graduation Poems - Graduation Celebration; Cherish the Memory

To those I love and hold so dear,
To the friends I cherish and family I revere:
To all who came and shared the day
To everyone that sent their love and wishes my way:
Thank you for sharing with me this joyous occasion;
Thank you for the sweet words of touching inspiration;
Thank you for the memories, for I cling to them tight,
and for the laughter and smiles on that warm summers night...

Contributed by a Visitor

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 honored 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

Graduation Poems - You May Count That Day

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 bedlam'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

Graduation Poems A New Beginning

Your adventure has begun!
We are confident you will make the right choices and follow your heart
We hope in your life, we will always have a part!
CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATE! Your future looks bright.
Don't let go of your dreams, always keep them in sight.
There are no limitations in what you can achieve
Go chase your dreams and always believe.
Don't let anything hinder your quest for the best!

Submitted By A Visitor

Graduation Poem - Looks Like You've Made It

You have struggled, cried, kicked & screamed.
Now it seems those little things.
Determination, perseverance, mastering tunnel vision & realizing your dream.
These are the things that made it all possible.
As you have learned these traits,
they have enabled you to become the best you can be.
There are so many who will never touch
all of the experiences you've encountered thus far,
this is what makes you rich, while being so poor.
Your character will consist of a lot of grit.
A large will to tolerate the ignorant.
The road not taken is in the past, for now you are in the upper class!
Never forget who you called upon through every test, compositions and clinicals.
He will bring you through even as the school fades.
Keep him in the mix.
As everyone is totally proud of you,
think more of the example you have set for others.
With all the obstacles, your course has been shakey but you have come out on top as a person.
We hope soon, you will come to the reality of how very special you are.
Take time to reflect at what all has gone on in the past 4 years and celebrate to the best of your ability.
We could not be more proud of you, than we are today.

Love

By Cynthia Scholze

Graduation Poem - When Will I See You Again

Suddenly it is graduation day
For that we long have waited
No more hard work night and day
I do feel very excited

The intensity of the past few years
Has been matched by our fun as friends
Despite work, stress and a few tears
We have stayed loyal to the end

We have laughed together
Lived in the same apartment
Studied hard together
Even played in the same quartet

But suddenly I realize in horror
I am going to Detroit
And you are going to Florida
We will be thousands of miles apart

Our new jobs will keep us busy
Our new lives will be hectic also
We will settle down and be happy
Family will come along too

So when will we meet again
Some reunion in 20 years
It all seems so far away
Perhaps I need to accept my fears

I hope we keep up each day
It will be good to hear your news
But most of all I do pray
We meet in person soon

© Jean Dempster

Graduation Poem - Off To College

You’re off to college all too soon
No more curfew, no more rules
You’re the boss, you call the tune
Living life to the full.

At the start you will feel shaky
Many nights you’ll feel alone
Some days will be pretty hazy
These times will make you think of home

But all this will be forgotten
The difficult times don’t last long
Your new life will certainly blossom
The greatest times will be going

The hard work will be severe
The courses intellectually challenging
But you will rise up and persevere
And surely you will end up winning

The fun will start and never bore
You’ll meet lifelong friends, the party never ends
You’ll laugh like never before
And sleep till late, only to start again

Be certain about your future direction
You’ll succeed and be a star all right
A strong person, ready for any occasion
Go to it with all your might.

© Jean Dempster

Graduation Poems - So Tall

I was so small
You were so tall
Starting school was difficult
You helped me through it
Each year I‘ve grown
The seeds of success you‘ve sown
The challenges got tougher
But you helped me get better
I look back at all you‘ve done
And I know I‘m the lucky one
The best is yet to come
And I say bring it on
I‘m ready to leave home
Strengthened by your love
One thing is quite curious
A point not too serious
Now I‘m so tall
And you're so small
I love you!

© Jean Dempster

Graduation Poems - Here We Finally Are!

Here we finally are, at graduation day
Its difficult to comprehend, there's so little left to say
The tears that fill our eyes are symbolic of our joy
Happiness is evident of every girl and boy
As we go on to our new schools,let all of us keep in mind
that after the next four years or so our futures are closed behind
Lastly to the teachers and parents, all of whom we love so dear
thanks for making this past year our utmost splendid year!

-The End

Graduation Poems - Excitement

When Graduation Day comes
Enjoy the sense of excitement
Think of what life has been, is
And future accomplishments

The excitement of the challenges
Failures, upset and adversity
Hard work, perseverance, some success
Winning through determinedly

The excitement of Graduation
Seems simply to lend
The thrill of knowing
You did it in the end

The excitement of family and friends
Sharing good and bad times
Their love and support never ends
In your life they are the gems

The excitement of celebrating
At the last great party
Friends, laughter, fun, dancing
Before saying goodbye

The excitement of the future
College, relationships, jobs and cities
Imagining how it will occur
Anticipating much more success

The excitement of Graduation
Should be greatly savored
Life may never again
Feel as truly favored.

Writing Graduation Poems

If you do decide to write your own graduation poems then you might find getting the overall topic can really help you get started. Some ideas that may help are:

• Saying goodbye to close friends, family and the community.


• Your feelings for the graduate such as love and pride in their achievements.


• Saying goodbye to the school, college or university.


• The exciting future the graduate has.


• The graduate as a wonderful person.

If you think about the graduate, who they are and what they have achieved you will come up with some excellent topic ideas.

Once you have completed your own poem please come back and submit it to inspire other visitors.

Finally

You might like to write your choice of poems out and have it framed for the graduate to keep.

Good Luck choosing the best graduation poems for you. Please leave a comment!

As well as graduation poems, you may also be interested in Graduation Quotes or Invitation Wording.

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