10+ Inspiring Poems About Responsibility

What do you think of first when you hear the word “responsibility”? Many people think about a scenario where people blaming each other, as in “Whose responsibility is this?”

To me, responsibility means taking control, exerting choice and influencing what’s in front of us. Just like the British poet William E. Henley stated in his poem:

“I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.”

you’ll see that many other poets share the same sentiment through these poems about responsibility.

1. Responsibility by Unknown Author

Responsibility means,
“I can do things on my own.”
When I turn it on, I turn it off.
When I unlock something, I lock it up.
When I drop something, I pick it up.
When I open something, I close it.
When I make a mess, I clean it up.
When I find something, I return it.
When I borrow something, I give it back.
When I take something out, I put it back.
When I am assigned a task, I complete it.
When I earn money, I spend it wisely.
When I give my word, I keep it.
I choose to be responsible.

2. Freedom And Responsibility by Doris Cornago

Long have I traveled but none have I seen

As lovely as a quivering bud on a tree

That looked so old it might as well be dead

But the bud made it look so potential…

What now I know of life and keep knowing

Freedom and responsibility walk together

Nobody’s looking but there’s a nagging

Feeling of wanting something better for all…

The choice is yours to take whatever goes

Ignominy or glory, the path’s not closed

Whether you run or walk it, nobody’s looking

Take a hand or arm if offered – but do go on…

Sometimes you wish to step back awhile

Sit by the road and watch the world go by

But you just cannot, mind’s a whirl on things

To your left and to your right goes life…

Do not make excuses, it does not matter

Try rather make a steady step each way

Your choice if you falter, or go slower

Nobody is keeping track of your progress…

Life might have taken its toll on strength

Or taken away all the glory of yesteryears

As long as heart beats and voice is not stilled

You go on and on through more pages…

3. Taking Responsibility by James Ogunjimi

To that which may never be,
To happiness we may never feel,
To an unbreakable togetherness the world may never see;
This isn’t me saying goodbye;
This is me wondering if we could pick up the pieces and have a retry.

To one heart bruised and hurt,
To another waiting to be crushed,
To the man tagged evil and feeling lost;
The balm of gilead have I none;
And I’m no apostle of robbing peter to pay Paul.

To the laughter cut short midway,
To the beautiful smiles poisoned day to day,
To lovely people who want to, but cannot stay;
This isn’t me giving excuses or making apologies;
This is me owning up and taking responsibility.

4. Responsibility (For What Is Right) by Eric Cockrell

I cannot get past the image
of a small boy kneeling
between the dead bodies

of his mother and father,
tears running down his face,
praying….

if we do not take responsibility
for what is wrong in this world…
we cannot claim responsibility

for what is right!

5. Responsibility Poem by Unknown Author

I am responsible
for all that I do,
from turning in work
to making friends, too.
to be kind or mean.

It is up to me
just how much I will learn;
the grades that I get
will be grades that I earn.

I make the choice
to be happy or sad,
to have a good day,
or have one that is bad.

So I will choose
what is best for me.
I am responsible;
I hold the key!

6. Greater Responsibility by Maria Nicole Abiera

I am given a task
Though it may seem hard
All I need to ask
Is, what is the reward.

But then today
I know I need to face
The true and right way
And end this race.

This race is my life
And tasks are always on its way
And I know that I need to strife
To finish each task in a day.

I am the only one who have this
But everyone has this ability,
The ability that makes risks
And it is called ‘responsibility.’

7. Art Of Responsibility by Maria Sudibyo

What is responsibility?
Fair soul to apologize
Role that must be fulfilled
Ready to deal the consequence

When you must be responsible?
When something goes wrong
When duty calls to be done
When you face the challenge

Why you must be responsible?
Because it is your fault
Because it is your job
Because it is your risk

How you gonna be responsible?
By grudgingly admitting the mistake
By taking redemption action
By carrying the burden all by yourself

And do you with your responsibility
Sincere with what you confess?
Try to find consolation?
Or trap yourself in guilt?

So where are you when responsibility demands?
Hiding behind twisted words
Immediately place yourself in front
Or simply your nature to keep changing like weather

8. Maturity & Responsibility by Ajay Srivastava

Maturity and responsibility are very sensitive.

Understanding situation is a symbol of maturity.
Maturity is like your teacher, who instruct to take on responsibility.
Heart and mind accept responsibility with open heart.
Exception are part of life, but by and large.
This is a smooth and successful way in everybody life.

Situation are given normally by someone else deed.
It like someone want to give you order & take control.
Heart and mind are in a fighting mode.
reality demand you can not run, with no option left.
This is a rough & tough way ahead in your life.
Some time came out with flying color, else you are mare symbol of responsibility.

9. Responsibility by Unknown Author

I’m sitting here
Pondering my decisions
My thoughts in the past
And the life that I’m living

Everyone says
Mistakes are made
But truth be spoken
They’re just a game that we play
We try and do things
We try and fail
Slipping by by a hairs breadth
Feeling the wind in our sails
When we make a wrong turn
We just turn around
Missing the shipwrecks
But still missing dry ground
We shy from consequences
Not learning at all
Til it all catches up
And down down we fall

10. Invictus by William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,
      Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
      For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
      I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
      My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
      Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
      Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
      How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
      I am the captain of my soul.

Final thoughts

I’m sure we can all learn something from these poems about responsibility. Personally, they remind me to take accountability for my own action and be responsible for what ever happens in my life. Take control, Captain.

More poetry to read:

• 11+ Best Poems For The Soul Everyone Should Read
• 7+ Loving Poems About Papa
• 9 Poems About Respect Worth Paying Attention To