The best poems about home and belonging
This National Poetry Day, we thought we’d share our top 10 best poems about home or moving home.
We love these poems because they’re all so different: some are humorous, others are poignant, but each offers a unique perspective on what it means to have a place to call home. And if you are searching for them because you’re planning on moving home soon, this moving house checklist can help you feel more prepared
Here are the top 10 home-related poems and verses, both national and international, that we love:
1. Home is Where the Heart Is by William Worthless
There have been many poems written about this title and we’ve even had some fun competitions based on it in the past. Yet, one thing that has always stood out to us is the simplicity of this poem – which contends that home should be a place to call your own with lots of love to share.
Home is where the heart is so the people say
Home is where the love is. its there everyday.
Its your little castle that belongs to you
There to last a lifetime for your whole life through.
A place to call your own with lots of love to share
Where ever theres a home your heart is always there.
Happy and content you always be
True love everyday you will always see
2. New Home By Nancy Hughes
This poem is perfect for those moving home. It reminds us that even though we are moving, all of our friends and families will always stay with us.
You may have a new address
But we are never far apart.
For a friend like you will always be
In my thoughts and in my heart!
3. There’s No Place Like Home by John Howard Payner
Whilst this classic was written way back in the 18th century, this poem still has meaning today with home being a haven for so many of us.
Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam,
Be it ever so humble there’s no place like home!
A charm from the skies seems to hallow us there,
Which, seek through the world, is ne’er met with elsewhere: Home!
4. Home by Anne Brontë
We love the way these verses from the youngest member of the Brontë family capture the restorative powers of home.
Restore to me that little spot,
With gray walls compassed round,
Where knotted grass neglected lies,
And weeds usurp the ground.
Though all around this mansion high
Invites the foot to roam,
And though its halls are fair within–
Oh, give me back my HOME!
5. Home Defined by Charles Swain
This poem is a great reminder that home is not “merely roof and room” but a place to connect with people. It also talks of the joys and wonders of coming back home where we can see those who are special to us; feeling love inside these four walls created for family and friends.
Home’s not merely four square walls,
Though with pictures hung and gilded:
Home is where affection calls,
Filled with shrines the heart hath builded!
Home! go watch the faithful dove,
Sailing ‘neath the heaven above us;
Home is where there’s one to love!
Home is where there’s one to love us!
Home’s not merely roof and room,
It needs something to endear it;
Home is where the heart can bloom,
Where there’s some kind lip to cheer it!
What is home with none to meet,
None to welcome, none to greet us?
Home is sweet, -and only sweet-
When there’s one we love to meet us!
If you’re beginning your own journey to a new home, here’s how to get started – Explore our moving guides
6. The Home-Sick Heart By John Imlah
This particular verse from John Imlah’s poem touches on the feeling of homesickness, something we’ve all felt when being far from friends and family.
How fondly loves the home-sick heart
To ponder o’er the past,
And pines for scenes then far apart,
To dwell—to die at last;
Though richer vales, and balmier gales,
May tempt the wanderer’s stay,
His heart will long to be among
Some scenes far, far away!
Luckily if you are planning on moving abroad with us, you will not have to worry about home-sickness as we’ll make sure every step of your move is planned so you can enjoy settling into your new home.
7. Homecoming by Simon Armitage
A great poem from Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, about growing up and family tensions, especially with teenagers, in the home yet resonating with underlying tones of affection and trust.
Think, two things on their own and both at once
The first, that exercise in trust, where those in front
stand with their arms spread wide and free-fall
backwards, blind, and those behind take all the weight.
The second, one canary-yellow cotton jacket
on a cloakroom floor, uncoupled from its hook
becoming scuffed and blackened underfoot. Back home
the very model of a model of a mother, yours, puts
two and two together, makes a proper fist of it
and points the finger. Temper, temper. Questions
in the house. You seeing red. Blue murder. Bed.
Moving home can be an exciting and also confusing time in a teenager’s life, if your family has plans to move soon, make sure you read our useful free guide on moving with kids to help prepare them for any changes they might experience.
8. The Wrong House by AA Milne
We like this poem as it reminds us a little of house hunting. Many homes can feel like the “wrong house” until your walk into the door of the right home to move to – and then you just know.
I went into a house, and it wasn’t a house,
It has big steps and a great big hall;
But it hasn’t got a garden,
A garden,
A garden,
It isn’t like a house at all.
I went into a house, and it wasn’t a house,
It has a big garden and great high wall;
But it hasn’t got a may-tree,
A may-tree,
A may-tree,
It isn’t like a house at all.
9. Home by Edgar Albert Guest
We love the idea behind the first verse of this poem that home is not a home until it’s been lived in.
It takes a heap o’ livin’ in a house t’ make it home,
A heap o’ sun an’ shadder, an’ ye sometimes have t’ roam
Afore ye really ’preciate the things ye lef’ behind,
An’ hunger fer ’em somehow, with ’em allus on yer mind.
It don’t make any differunce how rich ye get t’ be,
How much yer chairs an’ tables cost, how great yer luxury;
It ain’t home t’ ye, though it be the palace of a king,
Until somehow yer soul is sort o’ wrapped round everything.
10. Home by Glenna Luschei
This short poem is definitely one for dog owners, who wouldn’t call home a home without their four-legged friends.
Dog at my pillow.
Dog at my feet.
My own toothbrush.
If you are moving soon, and have dogs, cats or small animals, make sure you read out guide to moving with pets.
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