rudyard kipling poems

Rudyard Kipling was an English poet, novelist, and short-story writer who was born in Bombay, India in 1865. He is best known for his works that reflect the colonial-era British Empire, particularly in India. Kipling wrote a wide range of poetry, including patriotic poems, war poems, and children’s poetry. Here are some of his most famous poems:

1. “If–” – This is perhaps Kipling’s most famous poem, and it has been widely quoted and referenced. It is a motivational poem that encourages perseverance and fortitude in the face of adversity.
2. “The White Man’s Burden” – This poem has been the subject of controversy due to its perceived colonialist themes. It is a call to the United States to take up the burden of civilizing and educating the non-European world.
3. “Gunga Din” – This poem is set in colonial India and tells the story of a loyal Indian water carrier who saves the life of a British soldier.
4. “Mandalay” – This poem is about a soldier who longs to return to Burma (now Myanmar) after serving there in the British army.
5. “Tommy” – This poem is about the common British soldier and the hardships he faces during war.
6. “The Ballad of East and West” – This poem is about the meeting of two warriors from opposite sides of the world and their eventual respect for each other.
7. “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” – This is a children’s poem about a brave mongoose who protects a family from a pair of cobras.
8. “The Gods of the Copybook Headings” – This poem is a warning against the dangers of modernity and the loss of traditional values.
9. “The Jungle Book” – This collection of children’s poems and stories includes such well-known works as “The Elephant’s Child” and “The Cat That Walked by Himself.”
10. “If We Had But World Enough, and Time” – This poem is a meditation on the fleeting nature of human life and the desire to seize every moment.