7 Meaningful Poems for Graduation Ceremonies, Cards, and Gifts
7 Meaningful Poems for Graduation Ceremonies, Cards, and Gifts
You, your students, or someone you love, are graduating soon. You want to find a meaningful poem that you can read at graduation or write in a card. I’m biased, but poetry is one of the most heartfelt ways you can mark the change in seasons.
Graduation brings up so many emotions, and each person experiences the occasion differently. You may wish for something that honours the past and the people you will miss, or something inspiring that speaks to the possibility and the uncertainty in the new season ahead.
I’ve selected seven poems that speaks to those different emotions and pulled them into categories for where I think they’d work best—read at a graduation ceremony, given to a friend you’ve gone through school with, or given in a card or gift to the graduate. I hope you find one that speaks to your situation!
A poem for a graduation card
Graduation cards are beautiful keepsakes that people look back on and treasure. A poem I believe will make a meaningful addition to a graduation card is ‘The Garden That You’re Growing’. It’s a raw poem reflecting on life’s journey and encourage you not to compare your journey to anyone else’s. It’s beautiful because it’s yours!
This is the namesake poem from my book The Garden That You’re Growing. Out of all my poetry books, this is the one I think would make the best gift for a graduate because it’s all about growing up, friendship, and faith.
A graduation poem for your best friend
The saddest part about graduating is leaving the people you see every day and have gone through school, university, college, and even just life with. It makes sense that we want to tell people how much it’s meant to us that they’ve gone on this journey with us.
‘Homesick’ from the poetry book Fleeting Things is a poem you can send to your best friend for graduation to let them know that while you will miss them, you’re better for having met them.
Short graduation poems
You may like to encourage your loved one or student with a short poem sent in a card or text upon their graduation.
‘Landscape’ from Making Whole and ‘Elsewhere’ from the The Garden That You’re Growing are two short poems that will hopefully inspire your graduate as they start the new season ahead.
Poems to read at a graduation ceremony
I love when poems are read at special events. I have two poems which you may wish to read at a graduation ceremony at middle school or high school.
‘Peter Pan’ from Fleeting Things is a nostalgic poem about growing up and it being time to leave a part of your life behind.
‘The Graduation’ isn’t from a book—it’s a custom poem I wrote for a middle school in Kansas. A beautiful teacher emailed me about what the year has looked like for her students and what message she hopes they take with them upon their graduation.
If you’re interested in a custom poem written for a graduation as a special keepsake, I’d love to hear your story and write something for you. Custom poems start from $59 and you can connect with me here.
A poem for a graduate who is unsure
Graduation can be a scary and uncertain time! Not everyone knows what lies ahead of them, and even for those who plan, life can surprise you.
‘Entry Level Human’ is for those who may not know what they want to do with their life and career.
Remember that you can always choose to write your own poem! How special would that be! You can find tips on how to write your own poem here or take this five-step mini-course that guides you on how to write a poem you’re proud of.
I hope you find one of these poems meaningful and that one puts to words what you want to say at your upcoming graduation or in a card for your student, family member, or friend. Enjoy the day!
