Photo by Stephan Seeber
These poems about the psychology of adventure are some of the best pieces of poetry and will ignite readers’ spirits and have them rearing to experience the broader world out there.
Poetry is the purest form of artistic expression; it does not need much, no tools, no training, only that you know how to write down words—and barring that, know how to utter them.
Writing poetry allows people to let their feelings out, weave emotions into memories and let others experience them the way you experienced them.
The best part? What you cannot express, you can put into poetry.
One inexpressible thing is the emotion people feel when adventuring, the high of living profoundly and intimately in the moment as if you are connecting with the spirit of the world.
If you like the themes espoused by the poems below, Alan Goldman has a poetry collection and book about the psychology of adventure, which you can check out now!
The Enchanted Traveler by Bliss Carman
This poem by Bliss Carman describes the awe and wonder it comes to venturing into the world, especially with a close companion. Describing moments in simple language, Carman paints a journey full of youthful vigor and lessons people can never find staying put.
Excerpt:
For we ate the bread of friendship,
We drank the wine of love.
You can read the rest of the poem here.
Dreams by Langston Hughes
This short poem by renowned black poet Langston Hughes fully encapsulates how having dreams is vital to living a good life and how people should always hold the pull of adventure to their chest to find motivation nearby.
Excerpt:
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
You can read the rest of the poem here.
The Freedom of the Hills by Alan Goldman
This stirring poem by Alan Goldman reminds readers that though life’s troubles can seem impossible, like only Superman can fix them all–but when there is a change of perspective, everything becomes temporary. The issues people feel deeply become ephemeral when viewed from a higher vantage point.
Excerpt:
Peering from my tiny ledge, I see the creatures below, carrying on like ants
While I am free of mundane worries and all the pedestrian “no, you can’t’s.”
You can read the rest of the poem here.
THE RETURN, by Geneen Marie Haugen
This lengthy poem by Geneen Marie Haugen conveys to readers that adventures can sometimes be dangerous and that not everyone can return unscathed–but despite the danger, people always bring lessons, for, at the end of all journeys, treasure awaits. Sometimes those treasures are lessons in life that help people grow.
Excerpt:
Some day, if you are lucky,
you’ll return from a thunderous journey
You can read the rest of the poem here.
The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost
Perhaps the most famous piece in this list, this poem by Robert Frost, has inspired people worldwide, pushing them to go beyond their comfort zones and embrace the unknown.
With its autumnal and open mood, The Road Not Taken speaks of the fullness and possibilities of life.
Excerpt:
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
You can read the rest of the poem here.
Song of the Open Road by Walt Whitman
This very lengthy poem by Walt Whitman is a fantastic ode to adventure. It speaks about how it is primal to the human psyche and how man is primed to take escapades in pursuit of whatever and wherever their desires take them.
Excerpt:
Afoot and light-hearted, I take to the open road,
Healthy, free, the world before me,
You can read the rest of the poem here.