Ezra Pound was one of the most influential poets of the 20th century. Born in 1885 in the United States, he played a central role in shaping modernist literature. His poetry often broke away from traditional forms, using new styles and ideas. Pound was also a great supporter of other writers, helping names like T. S. Eliot and James Joyce gain recognition. Despite controversy in his later life, his contributions to poetry remain powerful and lasting.

This article explores 16 of Ezra Pound’s most famous poems. Each poem is explained with clear and simple language to help readers understand why these works are so important. Together, these poems reflect his genius, his vision, and his role in changing the course of modern poetry.

16 Ezra Pound’s Famous Poems

1. In a Station of the Metro

This is perhaps Ezra Pound’s most well-known poem. It is only two lines long:

“The apparition of these faces in the crowd;
Petals on a wet, black bough.”

Despite its brevity, the poem captures a vivid image. Pound uses an analogy between faces in a crowd and flower petals on a dark branch. This poem is a great example of Imagism—a movement Pound helped start. Imagism focuses on sharp, clear images rather than elaborate descriptions. This poem shows how powerful a few words can be when chosen carefully.

2. The Cantos

“The Cantos” is Ezra Pound’s life work. It is a long, complex poem made up of over 100 sections. Pound worked on it for more than 50 years. The poem blends history, politics, economics, mythology, and personal experience. It jumps between cultures and time periods. Because of this, it can be hard to understand. However, many consider it a masterpiece of modern poetry.

“The Cantos” shows Pound’s deep learning and ambition. It also shows his attempt to find meaning and order in the world through poetry.

3. A Pact

This poem is about Pound’s feelings toward Walt Whitman. When Pound was young, he disliked Whitman’s poetry. But as he grew older, he came to respect him.

“I make a pact with you, Walt Whitman—
I have detested you long enough.”

The poem is like an apology. Pound says he now sees Whitman as a father figure in American poetry. It shows maturity and the ability to change one’s mind. It is also a reflection on the poet’s own role in shaping American literature.

4. Hugh Selwyn Mauberley

This poem is both personal and critical. Pound reflects on his life and on the failure of art in modern society. The poem is divided into two parts. The first part is about a poet (likely Pound himself) who struggles to make a difference. The second part focuses on another poet, Mauberley, who fails to connect with the world.

Pound criticizes the materialism and shallowness of modern life. The poem uses wit, irony, and sharp language. It shows the frustrations of a serious artist in a world that does not value beauty or truth.

5. The River-Merchant’s Wife: A Letter

This poem is a translation (or adaptation) of a classical Chinese poem. Pound took the words of Li Bai, a Chinese poet, and made them new in English.

The poem is a letter from a young wife to her husband, who has gone on a long journey. She writes about their love and how much she misses him. The language is simple and beautiful. It captures deep emotions without being dramatic.

This poem is one of Pound’s most loved works. It shows his skill in translating not just words, but feelings and culture.

6. Salutation

In this poem, Pound speaks directly to the world. He defends poets and artists who try to speak the truth. He criticizes the false values of society—greed, lies, and empty success.

“O generation of the thoroughly smug
and thoroughly uncomfortable,
I have seen fishermen picnicking in the sun…”

The poem celebrates honesty and real life. Pound’s tone is strong and proud. He believes poetry has a purpose and that poets must not be afraid to stand apart.

7. Portrait d’une Femme

This poem is a character study. It describes a woman who collects ideas from others but lacks her own core. Pound compares her to a sea filled with treasures from many ships, but without shape or direction.

“Your mind and you are our Sargasso Sea…”

The poem is elegant but critical. It shows Pound’s skill in using metaphor and sound to create sharp portraits.

8. Canto I

This is the first part of The Cantos. It starts with a translation of a passage from Homer’s Odyssey. The section shows Odysseus speaking to the dead in the underworld. Pound uses ancient myth to begin his epic.

The choice of opening is symbolic. Just as Odysseus searches for wisdom from the dead, Pound sets off to learn from history. The poem mixes English with ancient languages, showing Pound’s ambition and style.

9. Exile’s Letter

This poem is another translation from Chinese, based on the work of the poet Rihaku (Li Bai). It tells the story of a friend recalling his time with another man, expressing longing and nostalgia.

The poem speaks of loyalty, friendship, and the passage of time. Its strength lies in its emotional honesty and poetic rhythm.

10. To Whistler, American

In this poem, Pound honors the painter James McNeill Whistler. He praises Whistler’s dedication to art and beauty. Pound sees Whistler as a symbol of what American artists can achieve.

The poem shows Pound’s belief in high art and his respect for those who follow their vision. It also shows his effort to build a cultural identity for America.

11. Sestina: Altaforte

This is one of Pound’s early dramatic poems. It gives voice to Bertran de Born, a medieval knight and troubadour. The poem is filled with anger, war, and passion.

The structure of the sestina is strict, with repeated words at the ends of lines. Pound uses this form to create rhythm and intensity. The poem reveals his interest in history and powerful emotion.

12. Cino

This poem is addressed to Cino da Pistoia, an Italian poet from the 13th century. Pound speaks across time, honoring Cino and reflecting on love and poetry.

The poem shows Pound’s love for classical and medieval literature. It also highlights his idea that poets are part of a long tradition, speaking to each other across centuries.

13. Homage to Sextus Propertius

This poem is based on the works of Propertius, a Roman poet. Pound reworks his ideas in modern language. It is not a direct translation but a creative version.

The poem is full of humor, wit, and boldness. Pound mixes ancient Rome with modern concerns. He also questions ideas about love, fame, and art. This shows his unique approach to translation and poetry.

14. The Garden

In “The Garden,” Pound writes about a woman walking in a London park. She is rich and beautiful, but also sad and lonely. The poem suggests that her life lacks real meaning.

“Like a skein of loose silk blown against a wall…”

The language is soft and elegant. Pound uses images from nature to show human feelings. The poem is a subtle critique of upper-class life.

15. Ancient Music

This short poem is a humorous take on old songs. It repeats the phrase “Winter is icumen in” with funny modern changes.

“Winter is icumen in,
Lhude sing Goddamm.”

It mocks traditional English lyrics and expresses the discomforts of winter in a sarcastic tone. This poem shows Pound’s playful side and his willingness to twist tradition.

16. Ballad of the Goodly Fere

This poem presents Jesus Christ in a very unusual way—as a tough, brave man who lived among fishermen and faced danger without fear. Pound wrote it to protest against the overly soft and gentle image of Jesus found in Victorian religion.

“Ha’ we lost the goodliest fere o’ all
For the priests and the gallows tree?”

The poem uses simple language and ballad style. It brings a human side to Jesus and challenges religious norms. Pound’s respect for strength and courage is clear here.

Conclusion

Ezra Pound changed modern poetry. He broke rules, created new styles, and inspired generations of poets. His writing often crossed time, language, and culture. He respected the past but was always pushing forward.

These 16 poems show the range of his work—from short, powerful images to epic, complex texts. Whether translating ancient texts or challenging modern society, Pound always aimed for truth and beauty.

Despite controversy, his place in literary history is secure. To read Pound is to take a journey through art, history, and the human soul. His poems remain rich fields for study and inspiration.