The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien—the first-ever publication of nearly 200 of Tolkien’s poems, spanning seven decades, is presented in a beautifully designed three-volume hardcover boxed set.
Tolkien, known primarily for his prose, saw himself as a poet first and foremost. While readers are familiar with the verses found in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, the full range of his poetic work remains largely unknown and underappreciated. In his fiction, Tolkien’s poems help build character, place, and story, while as standalone works, they reveal his love for nature, seasons, landscapes, and music. His verse is filled with humor, wonder, and a deep appreciation for the beauty of words.
This collection begins with an early poem written for his beloved in 1910 and spans through his Oxford years, his time in World War I, and his later years, where elements of his legendary Silmarillion and Middle-earth took shape in his poetry. Many of his war-time poems explore themes of loss, faith, friendship, and longing for home, while his legendarium continues to inspire much of his later work.
More than 60 previously unpublished poems are included, each accompanied by insightful commentary and notes by esteemed Tolkien scholars Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond. Together, they offer a poetic biography that celebrates Tolkien’s life and creative legacy in a way never before seen.