A poem can bring a polished, funny, poignant or rare emotionalfeeling to any Graduation Speech. Adding a good poem at the rightpoint 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:
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.
Poetry Prize Winners
Congratulations to the poetry winners. Two featured prize winners from 2011 and 2010 are:
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 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 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
Inspirational 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 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!
Friendship 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
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
Graduation Poems - More Ideas
Graduation poems can have a lot of different uses. Parts of graduation poems can be excellent on graduation invitations, announcements and thank you cards. They are also great on Commencement Speeches and a short speech at your home based graduation party. The beautifully written words can inspire people and evoke all the emotion you require at this special occasion.
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.
You may write your choice of graduation poems out and have it framed for the graduate to keep. In that case you may like to use a Calligraphy Kit.
Good Luck choosing the best graduation poems for you.
Share Your Graduation Poems!
If you have written your own graduation poems then submit them for other visitors to enjoy, alternatively if you know a graduation poem then I’m sure all visitors would be very grateful if you’d share it with us.
What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Looks Like You've Made It
You have struggled, cried, kicked & screamed. Now it seems those little things. Determination, perserverance, mastering tunnel vision & realizing your ...
We Were The Undefeated Ones
The world is waiting for us, We have to go To make a move, That will be remembered.
We have a chance, A ...
My Son the Graduate
I have waited for this day, through twelve years of school. From the first day you caught the bus on your first day of kindergarden, as the tears streamed ...
You did it!
Well here we are my daughter dear The day awaited for many a year All the turmoil, tears and triumph All wrapped up in a graduate gown. You tried so ...
Some Invitation Graduation Poems
These are some graduation poems I came up with to put inside our daughters graduation invitations:
