Whether you’re looking to inspire a love of the great outdoors or spark creativity in your students, you’ve come to the right place! With our collection of 80 awe-inspiring poems about nature, you’ll be able to achieve both of these things and more! Explore the words of greats like Yeats, Frost, Dickinson, and others as you sift through our round-up to find the perfect piece to analyze language, sound, and rhythm as well as theme.
1. “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” by W.B. Yeats
This pastoral poem celebrates the allure of a simpler life in communion with nature. The speaker yearns for tranquility and, in doing so, paints a serene picture of an island rich in beauty and abundant with bees and birdsong.
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2. “Daffodils” by William Wordsworth
This poem is the epitome of romantic write-ups and presents a striking portrait of a field of daffodils. The imagery conveys the profound impact of nature’s beauty on human emotions and stirs the heart.
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3. “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost
The Road Not Taken explores the theme of individual choice and the impact of decisions on our life’s journey.
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4. “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
This narrative is a complex exploration of guilt, redemption, and the human relationship with nature. It unfolds as a supernatural tale of a mariner and his fateful journey at sea.
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5. “Ode to a Nightingale” by John Keats
Keats’ romantic ode to the nightingale symbolizes beauty, immortality, and an escape from human suffering. Its rich imagery and emotional intensity are characteristic of the author’s classic style.
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6. “The Tyger” by William Blake
This poem probes the dichotomy of beauty and brutality; symbolized by a tiger. In his stanzas, Blake questions the nature of the creator who forged such a creature; embodying both terror and allure.
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7. “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost
This tranquil poem encapsulates the allure of a snow-laden forest at dusk. It presents a moment of reflection and temptation; contrasting the call of obligations with the beauty of the natural world.
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8. “Kubla Khan” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
This dream-inspired piece presents a fantastical landscape that mirrors the human psyche- oscillating between chaos and harmony, control and freedom. The imagery teems with natural beauty and tumultuous emotion.
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9. “To a Skylark” by Percy Bysshe Shelley
This poem honors the skylark whose song embodies pure joy and inspiration. The bird becomes a symbol of freedom and unattainable beauty- leaving the speaker envious of its flight.
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10. “The Darkling Thrush” by Thomas Hardy
Hardy’s vision captures the resilience of life amid desolation and despair. His piece illustrates the poignant contrast between the bleak Winter landscape and the hopeful song of a thrush.
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11. “Autumn” by Emily Dickinson
This piece exquisitely portrays the transition of seasons- encapsulating the fleeting beauty of Autumn as it fades into Winter. Dickinson’s minimalistic style adds a unique rhythm to the verses and perfectly highlights the cyclical nature of life.
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12. “Sea Fever” by John Masefield
Filled with a yearning for the sea, the poem presents a vivid depiction of life at sea. It encapsulates the thrill and beauty of the maritime experience as it draws our attention to it with the use of sensory language.
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13. “Sonnet 18: Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” by William Shakespeare
This romantic sonnet likens the beauty of a beloved to a Summer’s day- suggesting that the loved one’s beauty is even more enduring than that of the season.
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14. “The Windhover” by Gerard Manley Hopkins
The Windhover is a beautiful sonnet that celebrates the majesty of a falcon in flight. Hopkins uses this natural spectacle as a metaphor for spiritual aspiration; capturing the divine in the earthly.
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15. “The World Is Too Much With Us” by William Wordsworth
Wordsworth laments humanity’s growing disconnection from nature in the face of materialism; evoking powerful images of a sea baring its bosom to the moon and winds that are sweet.
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16. “A Bird Came Down” by Emily Dickinson
This poem depicts a simple encounter with a bird; employing it as a symbol of nature’s profound connection to the universe as well as a testament to life’s innate beauty and simplicity.
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17. “The Eagle” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
In this brief and vivid poem, an eagle is used to symbolize power, majesty, and solitude. Tennyson’s depiction of the eagle’s world underscores both the splendor and harsh reality of the natural world.
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18. “Ode to the West Wind” by Percy Bysshe Shelley
Shelley’s invocation of a powerful west wind, which is both a destroyer and preserver, is used to portray the role of the poet. His radical piece likens poets to uncontrollable forces like the wind.
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19. “Upon the Snail” by John Bunyan
This contemplative piece uses the slow and steady pace of a snail as a metaphor for the virtues of patience and wisdom that can be tapped into by observing nature.
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20. “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae
This poignant war poem contrasts the horrific reality of warfare with the peaceful beauty of the poppy fields. It also highlights the sacrificial role that many soldiers play.
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21. “The Solitary Reaper” by William Wordsworth
This poem captures the powerful effect of a solitary reaper’s song echoing in the Scottish highlands. Signifying the intimate connection between human emotions and the natural world, the poem captures a deeply moving moment.
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22. “The Tables Turned” by William Wordsworth
The Tables Turned embodies Romanticism’s deep reverence for nature and its wisdom. In this piece, Wordsworth urges readers to turn away from books and, instead, learn from the nature around them.
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23. “The Waste Land” by T.S. Eliot
This epic piece uses bleak, barren landscapes as a metaphor to depict the post-war disillusionment and spiritual barrenness of modern society. It explores complex themes of decay and despair as well as a deep longing for spiritual redemption.
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24. “The Song of Hiawatha” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
This narrative poem celebrates the life of a Native American hero. The natural world reflects the character’s deep connection to all of creation.
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25. “Anecdote of the Jar” by Wallace Stevens
This modernist poem explores the dynamic relationship between human-made objects and the natural world; reflecting on humanity’s role in shaping and defining nature.
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26. “Dover Beach” by Matthew Arnold
In this introspective poem, the ebbing tide serves as a metaphor for human misery and the retreating “Sea of Faith.” It represents a profound contemplation of the loss of faith and certainty in the modern world.
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27. “God’s Grandeur” by Gerard Manley Hopkins
This sonnet is an exultation of God’s grandeur as manifested in the natural world. Hopkins praises the resilience of nature and its divine origins.
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28. “The Wild Swans at Coole” by W.B. Yeats
The poem explores the fleeting nature of beauty and life; capturing this transience through the image of wild swans. The contrast between the speaker’s changing life and the seemingly immortal swans evokes melancholy and yearning.
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29. “Tulips” by Sylvia Plath
This poem uses tulips as a metaphor to represent the intrusion of our demanding world in our desired tranquility; depicting a vivid exploration of the struggle between life and the desire for peace.
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30. “The Jumblies” by Edward Lear
This absurd and playful narrative pens the adventures of a group of daring creatures who venture out to sea in a sieve. It reflects a spirit of whimsical adventure and encourages readers to embrace nature’s unpredictability.
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31. “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” by William Wordsworth
Wordsworth recounts an awe-inspiring encounter with a field of daffodils; highlighting the enduring impact of natural beauty on human emotions.
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32. “Fern Hill” by Dylan Thomas
This reflective piece explores the fleeting nature of time and youth’s innocence. The pastoral setting of Fern Hill symbolizes an idyllic past- one that’s somewhat of a paradise that’s been lost to the passage of time.
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33. “Song of Myself” by Walt Whitman
Song of Myself is a powerful affirmation of unity in diversity. The all-encompassing stanzas celebrate the self and its interconnectedness with all natural things.
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34. “The Bells of Shandon” by Francis Mahony
Here, the speaker expresses joy upon hearing the bells of Shandon that echo across the landscape; linking the familiar sounds to his love for his native land and its natural environment.
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35. “The Snow-Storm” by Ralph Waldo Emerson
This poem vividly describes a Winter storm; showcasing the transformative power and beauty of nature.
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36. “The Brook” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
The Brook personifies a stream as it journeys through the countryside and town; carrying the tales of the places it has traveled and the sights it has seen. With his piece, Tennyson beautifully explores themes of life, nature, and the passage of time.
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37. “When the Frost is on the Punkin” by James Whitcomb Riley
This poem captures the essence of rural life and its intimate connection with nature. It paints a vivid picture of a farm in Autumn- depicting frosty pumpkins as well as the anticipation of Thanksgiving.
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38. “To Autumn” by John Keats
This ode celebrates the richness of the Autumn season. It’s characterized by vivid imagery of ripening fruits, flowers, and the setting sun; illustrating the abundance and unique transience of life.
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39. “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot
This poem uses a combination of both urban and natural imagery to portray the thoughts and emotions of the speaker. It’s a profound exploration of identity, aging, and the human condition.
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40. “Because I could not stop for Death” by Emily Dickinson
This piece contemplates mortality and the afterlife. The journey with death is marked by everyday scenes of life and nature; suggesting a continuity of life after death.
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41. “A Red, Red Rose” by Robert Burns
A Red, Red Rose is a passionate declaration of enduring love where the speaker compares his love to a freshly bloomed red rose. Here, nature serves as a metaphor for the depth and purity of romantic love.
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42. “The Fog” by Carl Sandburg
This poem personifies fog as a cat that moves gracefully over a city before silently disappearing. The poem emphasizes the mysterious nature of natural phenomena and their gentle coexistence with urban life.
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43. “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” by Langston Hughes
Here, Hughes uses the metaphor of rivers to speak to the longevity and resilience of the African-American experience. They are used to symbolize the depth of the speaker’s soul and the continuity and importance of black history.
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44. “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Sara Teasdale
This poem describes a world where nature joyfully persists; unburdened by mankind after a war wipes out humanity. It underpins the indifference of nature to human life and the destructive tendencies of humankind.
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45. “The Owl and the Pussy-cat” by Edward Lear
This charming and whimsical poem narrates the adventurous love story of an owl and a pussycat. The natural world here is portrayed as fanciful and harmonious; resonating with the playfulness of the verse.
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46. “Carrion Comfort” by Gerard Manley Hopkins
In this sonnet, the speaker grapples with despair and faith. The use of natural imagery, intense emotion, and sprung rhythm reflect Hopkins’ unique style and his exploration of God’s presence in both nature and suffering.
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47. “The Splendor Falls on Castle Walls” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
This poem captures the romantic grandeur of a landscape- blending natural scenery with a sense of history and mythology. In doing so, it explores themes of beauty, transience, and the passage of time.
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48. “Trees” by Joyce Kilmer
Trees is a tribute to the beauty of trees and nature at large. The simple, direct style contrasts with the profound message that nature’s creations surpass man’s in terms of both beauty and value.
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49. “The Rainy Day” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Longfellow uses the backdrop of a rainy day to reflect the speaker’s inner emotional state. His metaphor for life’s sorrowful periods perfectly illustrates how nature can often influence or reflect human emotions.
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50. “The Garden” by Andrew Marvell
Marvell celebrates solitude and depicts nature as an escape from the busy world. The lush garden described in the piece represents a serene place where time stands still and the soul can experience spiritual renewal.
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51. “The Stolen Child” by W.B. Yeats
This poem follows a band of fairies who lure a child away from the human world to their magical world. Yeats’ mystic quality, reflected in the natural setting, speaks to themes of innocence, loss, and the allure of the supernatural.
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52. “The Mower Against Gardens” by Andrew Marvell
Here, the poet reflects on the dichotomy between human-controlled gardens and the untamed beauty of nature. It proposes that, despite the allures of cultivation, there’s a purity and virtue in nature that goes undisturbed.
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53. “Sailing to Byzantium” by W.B. Yeats
Here, the speaker seeks escape from the physical and sensual world- longing to head to the spiritual world of Byzantium. The poem contrasts the fleeting nature of physical existence with the eternal world of art and spirit.
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54. “Morning at the Window” by T.S. Eliot
In this brief yet touching poem, Eliot illustrates someone watching the bustle of a city morning. The poem is a beautiful showcase of modernist style and merges realistic details with broader existential themes.
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55. “The Fish” by Elizabeth Bishop
The Fish details the strength and beauty of a caught fish. It’s used to symbolize the survival instinct inherent in nature and promotes a profound respect for life and nature.
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56. “The Sun Rising” by John Donne
In this metaphysical poem, the speaker humorously berates the sun for disturbing him and his lover. Donne portrays the natural world as an integral part of the human experience.
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57. “November Night” by Adelaide Crapsey
November Night uses concise yet evocative imagery to capture the feel of a late Autumn night. It employs the form of the cinquain; a five-line stanza, which Crapsey herself developed.
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58. “A Narrow Fellow in the Grass” by Emily Dickinson
Here, Dickinson describes a close encounter with a snake; reflecting on humanity’s complex relationship with nature as she writes. Marked by both fear and fascination, Dickinson’s slant rhyme and distinctive punctuation add to the poem’s charm.
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59. “The Snow Man” by Wallace Stevens
This poem depicts a Winter landscape devoid of human sentiment- inviting the reader to view the beauty of Winter without projecting human emotions onto the season.
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60. “The Second Coming” by W.B. Yeats
Yeats uses vivid, and often disturbing imagery, to portray a world of chaos. While not strictly about nature, it relies on natural and mythic imagery to convey its prophetic message.
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61. “In Memoriam A.H.H.” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
This lengthy elegy mourns the death of Tennyson’s close friend, Arthur Henry Hallam. Through the recurring motif of natural cycles, he explores themes of grief, faith, and hope; taking comfort in nature.
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62. “Crossing the Bar” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Crossing the Bar uses the metaphor of a sea journey to represent the speaker’s journey from life to death. It expresses a hopeful and calm acceptance of death; viewing it as a return to God.
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63. “The Chimney Sweeper” by William Blake
This poem criticizes child labor and society’s indifference to the plight of chimney sweepers. Though not strictly about nature, it uses the metaphor of a green plain and the river to symbolize freedom and innocence.
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64. “After Apple-Picking” by Robert Frost
Frost reflects on a day of apple picking as he uses it as a metaphor for life and its tasks. As he contemplates mortality, he explores themes of nature, harvest, and exhaustion.
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65. “She Walks in Beauty” by Lord Byron
Lord Byron respectfully admires a woman’s beauty here; comparing it to the tranquil beauty of a cloudless night. The poem portrays an idealized woman whose beauty is as natural and serene as the night sky.
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66. “Acquainted with the Night” by Robert Frost
Frost shares his lonely walk through a city at night. As he pens his piece, he represents the walk as an internal journey through darkness and isolation; merging the natural and urban worlds.
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67. “Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now” by A.E. Housman
Housman appreciates the beauty of cherry trees in bloom- using them to depict life’s fleeting nature. The poem underscores the importance of cherishing beauty and youth while one can.
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68. “The River Merchant’s Wife: A Letter” by Ezra Pound
The speaker, a young wife, recalls the beauty of her childhood and her growing love for her husband. Using natural imagery, Pound is able to evoke longing and portray the passage of time.
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69. “Song of the Open Road” by Walt Whitman
The poem celebrates the freedom and potential of the open road and the camaraderie it brings. Whitman uses natural imagery to express his democratic ideals and his belief in the journey as a path to self-discovery.
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70. “The Convergence of the Twain” by Thomas Hardy
This poem reflects on the Titanic disaster; attributing it to the inevitability of fate and the supremacy of nature over human vanity.
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71. “The Cremation of Sam McGee” by Robert W. Service
This narrative, set in the Yukon, tells the chilling story of Sam McGee- a man who dies in the cold wilderness and is cremated. As a whole, it underpins the harsh reality of the Arctic environment.
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72. “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe
The poem presents a talking raven who visits a distressed lover. Poe symbolizes a mournful and never-ending remembrance as he crafts the raven in such a way that it represents grief and loss.
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73. “A Dream Within a Dream” by Edgar Allan Poe
A Dream Within a Dream encapsulates the nature of reality and the passing of time. The images of the shore and sea, symbols of the border between reality and dreams, deepen the poem’s philosophical inquiry.
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74. “The City in the Sea” by Edgar Allan Poe
The City in the Sea describes a spectral city that’s reflected in a tranquil sea. Using the sea as a metaphor for time and eternity, the image of the submerged city suggests a sense of melancholy and doom.
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75. “The Charge of the Light Brigade” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
This narrative pays tribute to the bravery of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War. While not specifically centered around nature, the rugged terrain serves as a backdrop to the historical event.
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76. “Birches” by Robert Frost
Birches reflects on the sight of birch trees bent by ice storms; reminding the poet of beloved childhood games. The poem explores themes of memory, nature, and the boundary that exists between reality and imagination.
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77. “Mending Wall” by Robert Frost
Mending Wall depicts two neighbors repairing a stone wall between their properties. The act of repairing the wall sparks reflections on boundaries and relationships as the poem contemplates the natural world and our interaction with it.
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78. “Ode on a Grecian Urn” by John Keats
Here, Keats muses on the stories depicted on an ancient urn. The urn, with its timeless depiction of nature and human activity, symbolizes the eternity of art and beauty.
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79. “Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley
This sonnet reflects on a ruined statue in the desert; representing the futility of human pride against the inexorable passage of time and the power of nature.
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80. “The Bridge Builder” by Will Allen Dromgoole
Dromgoole pens a tale of an old man who, after crossing a river, builds a bridge for those who will follow. While it carries a broader moral message, the river serves as a potent symbol of life’s challenges.
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