These Autumn Poems Will Make You Appreciate Fall Even More

Fall brings sweater weather, spectacular displays of foliage, and harvest celebrations. For many, the equinox marks the start of a glorious season, filled with apple picking and pumpkin carving. For others, though, autumn is a melancholy reminder of summer's end—less cookouts and beach reading.

The best autumn poems capture this season of striking change, often using fall as a metaphor to explore the cycle of life. As Robert Frost wrote in one of his most famous poems, "Nothing gold can stay." That holds true for the yellow leaves of autumn, and the halcyon days of summer. From William Shakespeare to Rita Dove, autumn has animated famous thinkers and writers over the generations. If you're looking to curl up with a poetry book and a cozy cocktail when the sun goes down early, start with these poets. With poems ranging from rhyming and romantic to inspirational, they will speak to you...or at least to your followers on Instagram if you're in search of a simple (yet beautiful) fall quote.