by Julie A. Fast and Keiko O’Leary, PWL Staff Writers
Attention all poetry lovers! Take our fun quiz to test your knowledge of famous first lines. Revisit some old poetry friends and discover new writers.
Read the first line and see if you can name the poet. The name of the poem and poet are listed below the quiz.
Poetry Quiz – First Lines
- What happens to a dream deferred?
- Wild nights—Wild nights!
Were I with thee - A thing of beauty is a joy for ever;
- You do not have to be good.
- Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
- Let me be free of ligaments and tendencies to change myself into a shape that’s less than spirit.
- My black hair
My thick thick black hair - Congratulations! Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away! - Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer; - This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
Answers to the poetry quiz: 1. “Harlem” by Langston Hughes. 2. “Wild Nights” (269) by Emily Dickinson. 3. Endymion by John Keats. 4. “Wild Geese” by Mary Oliver. 5. “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost. 6. “Action Philosophy” by Michael McClure 7. “Midaregami” (Tangled Hair) Akiko Yosano 8. Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss. 9. “The Second Coming” by W.B Yeats. 10. “The Guest House” by Rumi.
More Poetry Fun
Who did you discover today? It’s always a joy to find new poems and poets, and to revisit old friends.
Do you want to connect with contemporary poets? We hope you’ll join us for an exciting poetry event!
If you’re new to the Poetry Postcard Fest, click here to read about it. You need to sign up by July 18.
If you’ve already signed up, we can’t wait to write poetry on postcards with you.
Click here to learn more about the Poetry Postcard Fest.
Click here to increase the likelihood of getting your poetry published.
- How “Words Count” with Prolific Writers Life Made My Day - November 1, 2021
- Poetry Quiz – First Lines - July 5, 2021
- Poetry Postcard Event Open to Poets and Writers around the World - July 2, 2021
