The 111 Greatest (Long) Poems

A rule of thumb for the long poems listed here, contrasted with the verse on the Greatest (Short) Poems list, is that these generally cannot be read in a single sitting. They range in length from a dozen dense pages to entire books, even multiple volumes. Reading times that do full justice to the poems can stretch from an hour or two to a lifetime. Long poems also tend to present a complexity of theme and story not found in briefer poetry.

Sometimes it is difficult to differentiate a thick multi-part poem from a collection of discrete poems. For our purposes here, long poems are considered distinct from poetry collections in that its verses are usually connected in an overarching narrative, as in epic poetry. Admittedly though, the categories can overlap and subjective judgments are sometimes needed.

However, this list of long poems is a little easier to compile than that of short poems. Epics and other extended verse have been out of fashion for many years now, so there are fewer recent works to weigh. The long-available older works have also had time to settle in public and critical valuations.

Still, as with all our other lists, revisions and updates will continue as research and public tastes dictate.

Latest update: March 15, 2024

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See also:

Creating the Greatest Literature of All Time list

Greatest Literature of All Time

Greatest Novels of All Time

Greatest Novellas of All Time

Greatest Stories of All Time

Greatest Plays of All Time

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