As teachers, we have the unique potential to bring stories and literature alive in our classrooms – and what better way to do that than with poems about ghosts?
These eerie verses are perfect for enhancing your spooky lessons this month and share insight into understanding complex human emotions.
From themes of grief, fear, joy and nostalgia, each of these 35 poems about ghosts will spark insightful discussions among students.
So be prepared for some chills down your spine as you take a journey through time exploring poetry’s exploration of the haunting spirit world!
Related: For more, check out our article on Poems About Witches here.
Five Free Verse Poems About Ghosts
The Whispering Wraith
In the quietest corners of the twilight hour,
Does not a wisp of a whisper creep into your ear?
A hushed murmur, an echo of a long-lost voice,
The wraith, it tells tales of a time forgotten.
It does not haunt, but lingers,
In the spaces between breaths, in the silence between words.
The Specter’s Solitude
Do you feel the chill that sweeps the room,
When the specter’s solitude engulfs the air?
A mere shadow in the moonlight, seeking solace,
In the familiarity of the life it once knew.
Its presence, not malevolent, but melancholic,
A testament to a love for a world it can no longer touch.
The Ghoul’s Gathering
Can you perceive the ghoul’s gathering at midnight’s stroke?
They dance, they revel, in the spectral splendor,
Their laughter, a wind chime in the stillness of the night.
Do they not remind you of the joy in existence,
The celebration of life, even in the face of eternity?
The Apparition’s Appeal
Have you heard the apparition’s appeal, carried on the wind?
A plea for remembrance, a cry for recognition,
From those who walk the earth, unseen, unheard.
Do they not deserve our acknowledgment, our respect,
For they too, were once part of this magnificent tapestry of life?
The Phantom’s Philosophy
Do you comprehend the phantom’s philosophy, whispered in the ether?
A reminder of the impermanence of our mortal coil,
An echo of the eternal cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
Is it not a comforting thought, that energy never dies,
But simply transforms, and we are all part of this cosmic dance?
Related: For more, check out our article on Poems About Angels here.
Five Haiku Poems About Ghosts
Echoed Existence
Silent whispers cast,
In life’s echo, spirits dance,
Ghosts of past contrast.
The Frosty Specter
Cold touch in the night,
Specter’s icy breath takes flight,
In moon’s pale soft light.
The Ghoul’s Laughter
Ghouls laugh, unseen jest,
In the quiet, they infest,
Night’s unbidden guest.
Apparition’s Cry
Apparition’s cry,
In the wind, a lullaby,
Life’s last goodbye sigh.
Phantom’s Wisdom
Phantom’s wisdom told,
In death’s grip, life’s story bold,
Eternal unfold.
Related: For more, check out our article on Poems About Ghosts here.
Five Limerick Poems About Ghosts
The Ghostly Guest
There once was a ghost, quite the jest,
who loved to be life’s unseen guest.
With a chill and a fright,
in the still of the night,
he’d leave folks feeling quite stressed.
The Phantom’s Prank
A phantom, in shadows, did bank,
on causing a stir with his prank.
With a soft, eerie moan,
and a chilling wind blown,
he’d make even the bravest heart sank.
The Specter’s Surprise
A specter, with gleaming red eyes,
loved to pop up and surprise.
With a howl, he’d appear,
bringing shivers of fear,
under the moon’s watchful guise.
The Ghoul’s Glee
There once was a ghoul, full of glee,
who laughed as folks tried to flee.
His transparent form,
in the cold, windy storm,
was a sight that no one wished to see.
The Apparition’s Antics
An apparition’s antics, so sly,
made many a strong man cry.
With a flicker and a float,
he’d vanish like smoke,
leaving questions of how and why.
Five Tanka Poems About Ghosts
The Unseen Whisper
Unseen whisper calls,
In the silence of the night,
Echoes of life past,
A spectral presence lingers,
In the corners of our minds.
Dance of the Specter
Specter’s dance so light,
In the moon’s soft silver glow,
A ballet of shadows,
Telling tales of yore and woe,
In the quiet, eerie night.
Ghoul’s Midnight Revelry
At the stroke of twelve,
Ghouls commence their revelry,
Laughter rings hollow,
A celebration of life,
In the realm of the unseen.
Apparition’s Silent Plea
Apparition’s plea,
Carried on the autumn breeze,
A silent prayer,
For remembrance and respect,
From a world that’s moved on.
Phantom’s Eternal Wisdom
Phantom’s wisdom shared,
In the stillness of the grave,
A reminder stark,
Of life’s fleeting, fragile arc,
And the cycle of rebirth.
Five Sonnet Poems About Ghosts
The Whispering Wraith
Do you hear the soft whisper in the night?
A spectral wraith, in shadows taking flight,
Its voice echoes through halls of memory,
Recalling tales of love and tragedy.
What secrets does this ghostly figure hold?
Of lives once lived, of stories left untold,
In silence it roams, through time unbound,
A haunting presence, yet without a sound.
Do not fear this apparition’s gentle sigh,
It seeks not to harm, but to clarify,
That life and death are but two sides of a coin,
In this eternal cycle, we’re all enjoined.
So listen well, to the whispering wraith’s song,
In its echoes, we find where we belong.
The Specter’s Dance
Have you seen the specter’s midnight dance?
A ballet of shadows, given a chance,
To relive moments of joy and despair,
In the stillness of the night, it lays bare.
The specter moves with grace, yet unseen,
A ghostly figure, in moonlight’s sheen,
Its dance tells a tale of love lost and found,
In its silent steps, profound truths abound.
Do not shy away from this phantom’s display,
For in its dance, life’s mysteries sway,
A reminder that even in death’s cold grip,
The dance of life continues, don’t let it slip.
So watch closely, the specter’s dance so grand,
In its movements, understand life’s command.
The Ghoul’s Laughter
Do you hear the ghoul’s laughter in the wind?
A chilling sound, where mortal fears are pinned,
It mocks our dread of the unknown and strange,
In its hollow echo, perceptions change.
The ghoul’s laughter resonates in the night,
A specter’s mirth, in darkness taking flight,
It serves not to scare, but to illuminate,
The fear of death, we all must navigate.
Do not recoil from this eerie sound,
In its laughter, a deeper truth is found,
That death is not an end, but a transition,
A part of life’s intricate composition.
So listen well, to the ghoul’s laughter so clear,
In its echoes, find comfort, not fear.
The Apparition’s Cry
Have you heard the apparition’s mournful cry?
A spectral lament, beneath the starry sky,
It weeps for love lost and opportunities missed,
In its sorrow, life’s fleeting moments persist.
The apparition’s cry, a haunting melody,
Echoes through time, a ghostly elegy,
Its tears are reminders of life’s fleeting span,
A testament to the transient nature of man.
Do not turn away from this phantom’s pain,
For in its cry, life’s truths are lain,
A reminder that every moment counts,
In life’s vast and unpredictable amounts.
So heed well, the apparition’s mournful plea,
In its cries, cherish life’s precious decree.
The Phantom’s Wisdom
Do you sense the phantom’s ancient wisdom?
A spectral sage, from beyond the kingdom,
Its counsel whispers through the ages,
In its words, life’s eternal stages.
The phantom imparts knowledge, old yet new,
A ghostly guide, its wisdom true,
It speaks of love, loss, joy, and despair,
In its teachings, life’s complexities bare.
Do not ignore this spirit’s advice,
For in its wisdom, life’s sweetest spice,
A reminder that in every joy, every strife,
Lies the essence of our shared human life.
So learn well, from the phantom’s timeless lore,
In its wisdom, life’s richness explore.
Five Villanelle Poems About Ghosts
The Ghost’s Eternal Question
Do you hear the ghost’s eternal question?
Echoing through the halls of time’s progression,
A spectral voice seeking redemption.
In the silence of the night, a confession,
Of love lost, and a life’s digression,
Do you hear the ghost’s eternal question?
Its haunting plea for love’s resurrection,
Resounds in the heart with deep impression,
A spectral voice seeking redemption.
Through shadows of regret and transgression,
It seeks release from its dark obsession,
Do you hear the ghost’s eternal question?
Its voice echoes with a mournful inflection,
A haunting reminder of love’s suppression,
A spectral voice seeking redemption.
In the hush of the night, pay attention,
To the ghost’s plea for love’s salvation,
Do you hear the ghost’s eternal question?
A spectral voice seeking redemption.
The Specter’s Silent Dance
Have you seen the specter’s silent dance?
In the moon’s glow, a spectral romance,
A ghostly ballet, a haunting performance.
With each step, it tells a tale of chance,
Of love found and lost in life’s vast expanse,
Have you seen the specter’s silent dance?
Its movements echo with quiet elegance,
A spectral waltz, a chilling trance,
A ghostly ballet, a haunting performance.
In the stillness of the night, a glance,
Reveals the specter’s mournful stance,
Have you seen the specter’s silent dance?
Its dance whispers of life’s cruel circumstance,
Of love’s fleeting moments, given a chance,
A ghostly ballet, a haunting performance.
In the moon’s soft light, take a stance,
Watch the specter’s silent dance,
Have you seen the specter’s silent dance?
A ghostly ballet, a haunting performance.
The Ghoul’s Hollow Echo
Do you hear the ghoul’s hollow echo?
In the still of the night, a chilling bellow,
A spectral laughter, a ghostly crescendo.
Its sound resonates in the shadows,
A haunting reminder of life’s sorrows,
Do you hear the ghoul’s hollow echo?
Its laughter rings through the meadows,
A ghost’s mirth in the darkness that follows,
A spectral laughter, a ghostly crescendo.
In the hush of the night, the wind blows,
Carrying the ghoul’s eerie shadow,
Do you hear the ghoul’s hollow echo?
Its laughter, a testament to life’s woes,
Resounds in the heart with deep throes,
A spectral laughter, a ghostly crescendo.
In the silence of the night, it grows,
The ghoul’s hollow echo,
Do you hear the ghoul’s hollow echo?
A spectral laughter, a ghostly crescendo.
The Apparition’s Silent Plea
Have you heard the apparition’s silent plea?
In the quiet of the night, a spectral decree,
A ghost’s cry for love’s sweet clemency.
Its voice whispers through the ancient tree,
A haunting call for love’s guarantee,
Have you heard the apparition’s silent plea?
Its cry resonates with a mournful glee,
A ghost’s lament for love’s jubilee,
A ghost’s cry for love’s sweet clemency.
In the hush of the night, a symphony,
Of the apparition’s plea for empathy,
Have you heard the apparition’s silent plea?
Its voice echoes with a solemn glee,
A testament to love’s eternal spree,
A ghost’s cry for love’s sweet clemency.
In the stillness of the night, a decree,
The apparition’s silent plea,
Have you heard the apparition’s silent plea?
A ghost’s cry for love’s sweet clemency.
The Phantom’s Eternal Wisdom
Do you sense the phantom’s eternal wisdom?
In the silence of the night, a spectral kingdom,
A ghost’s counsel, a haunting enigma.
Its voice whispers through the ancient prism,
A spectral sage, imparting life’s rhythm,
Do you sense the phantom’s eternal wisdom?
Its counsel echoes with a solemn charisma,
A ghost’s teachings, a spectral panorama,
A ghost’s counsel, a haunting enigma.
In the hush of the night, a dilemma,
To heed or ignore the phantom’s schema,
Do you sense the phantom’s eternal wisdom?
Its voice resonates with a deep stigma,
A testament to life’s eternal enigma,
A ghost’s counsel, a haunting enigma.
In the silence of the night, a chiasm,
The phantom’s eternal wisdom,
Do you sense the phantom’s eternal wisdom?
A ghost’s counsel, a haunting enigma.
Five Ode Poems About Ghosts
An Ode to the Whispering Wraith
Oh, whispering wraith of the silent night,
Your voice echoes through the quiet twilight,
A spectral whisper, a shadow’s flight,
In your unseen presence, we find delight.
A tale of past lives, in your voice alight,
Through the corridors of time, you recite,
A haunting melody, a ghost’s copyright,
In your spectral whispers, we find respite.
Oh, whispering wraith, in the moon’s soft light,
Your voice resonates with an ancient might,
A spectral echo, a phantom’s birthright,
In your silent whispers, we find insight.
An Ode to the Dancing Specter
Oh, dancing specter of the moonlit night,
Your movements echo with a subtle light,
A spectral ballet, a ghost’s delight,
In your silent dance, we find foresight.
A tale of past loves, in your dance ignite,
Through the veil of shadows, you incite,
A haunting performance, a specter’s rite,
In your spectral dance, we find respite.
Oh, dancing specter, in the starry night,
Your dance resonates with a spectral light,
A ghostly ballet, a phantom’s birthright,
In your silent dance, we find insight.
An Ode to the Laughing Ghoul
Oh, laughing ghoul of the eerie night,
Your laughter echoes with a spectral light,
A ghostly mirth, a phantom’s delight,
In your hollow laughter, we find respite.
A tale of past joys, in your laughter ignite,
Through the silence of shadows, you incite,
A haunting sound, a ghoul’s rite,
In your spectral laughter, we find insight.
Oh, laughing ghoul, in the moon’s soft light,
Your laughter resonates with a ghostly might,
A spectral mirth, a phantom’s birthright,
In your hollow laughter, we find insight.
An Ode to the Crying Apparition
Oh, crying apparition of the silent night,
Your tears echo with a spectral light,
A ghostly sorrow, a phantom’s plight,
In your silent cries, we find respite.
A tale of past sorrows, in your cries ignite,
Through the veil of shadows, you incite,
A haunting lament, an apparition’s rite,
In your spectral cries, we find insight.
Oh, crying apparition, in the starry night,
Your cries resonate with a spectral might,
A ghostly sorrow, a phantom’s birthright,
In your silent cries, we find insight.
An Ode to the Wise Phantom
Oh, wise phantom of the ancient night,
Your wisdom echoes with a spectral light,
A ghostly counsel, a phantom’s delight,
In your spectral wisdom, we find respite.
A tale of past lives, in your words ignite,
Through the corridors of time, you recite,
A haunting counsel, a phantom’s rite,
In your spectral wisdom, we find insight.
Oh, wise phantom, in the moon’s soft light,
Your wisdom resonates with an ancient might,
A spectral counsel, a phantom’s birthright,
In your spectral wisdom, we find insight.
Using poems about ghosts in your classroom offers a unique opportunity to delve into complex emotions and themes.
These 35 poems provide a rich tapestry of narratives, each with its own unique perspectives on the spectral world.
As you venture into these chilling yet enlightening verses, be prepared for lively discussions, deep reflections, and an enriched understanding of human emotions.
Remember, the ghostly figures in these poems are more than just spooky characters; they represent a wide range of human experiences and emotions.
So, embrace the eerie, engage with the ethereal, and embark on a thrilling literary journey that transcends the boundaries of the mortal world!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What themes do these ghost poems cover?
A: These poems cover a variety of themes, including grief, fear, joy, and nostalgia. They use the concept of ghosts as a metaphor to explore these complex human emotions.
Q: Are these poems suitable for all ages?
A: While these poems deal with complex emotions, they do so in a manner that is accessible and engaging for a diverse range of ages. However, teachers should use their discretion based on the age and sensitivity of their students.
Q: How can I use these poems in my teaching?
A: These poems can be used in a variety of ways in the classroom. They can spark discussions about the themes and emotions presented, be used as examples in poetry lessons, or serve as inspiration for students’ own creative writing.
Q: Do these poems all have a scary tone?
A: While the poems revolve around ghosts, they are not meant to be purely scary. The aim is to explore the symbolic implications of ghosts and the afterlife, leading to insightful discussions about various human emotions.
Q: Can these poems help in developing empathy among students?
A: Absolutely! Poetry often allows readers to step into another’s shoes and view the world from a different perspective. Students can develop a deeper understanding and empathy for different human experiences by exploring the complex emotions presented in these ghost poems.
