Poems of Coleridge: Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Essential poetry from one of the greatest voices of English Romanticism—Samuel Taylor Coleridge's visionary verses that blend supernatural mystery, philosophical depth, and lyrical beauty into some of the most haunting and beloved poems in the English language.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) was a founding figure of the Romantic movement, a philosopher, literary critic, and one of the most imaginative poets in English literature. Along with his friend William Wordsworth, he revolutionized poetry with Lyrical Ballads (1798), but Coleridge's unique genius lay in his ability to fuse the supernatural with the psychological, creating dreamlike narratives that explore the depths of human consciousness.

What you'll discover:

• "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner"—his masterpiece, one of the greatest narrative poems in English
• "Kubla Khan"—visionary dream-poem of exotic splendor and mystery
• "Christabel"—haunting Gothic tale in verse
• "Frost at Midnight"—intimate meditation on nature, memory, and fatherhood
• "Dejection: An Ode"—profound exploration of creativity and loss
• Conversation poems blending philosophy and personal reflection
• Supernatural ballads that influenced Gothic literature for generations
• Lyrical meditations on nature, imagination, and the human spirit

Coleridge's poetry is unlike any other. "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" tells the haunting tale of a sailor cursed for killing an albatross, weaving supernatural horror with moral and spiritual themes. "Kubla Khan," composed in an opium-induced vision, creates a dreamscape of exotic beauty and mystery. His conversation poems, like "Frost at Midnight," blend intimate personal reflection with philosophical depth and natural observation.

What makes Coleridge essential is his visionary imagination—his ability to create worlds that feel both dreamlike and psychologically real, to explore the unconscious mind before Freud, and to blend the mystical with the everyday. His influence extends far beyond poetry into psychology, philosophy, and literary criticism, and his poems continue to captivate readers with their beauty, mystery, and depth.

Perfect for: Lovers of Romantic poetry and Gothic literature, students of English literature, readers drawn to visionary and supernatural poetry, those interested in the intersection of poetry and philosophy, fans of narrative poetry and ballads, anyone seeking Coleridge's essential works, and readers who love poetry that transports them to otherworldly realms.

This paperback edition presents Samuel Taylor Coleridge's essential poetry—visionary verses from one of the most imaginative poets in the English language.