Metaphysical, meht uh FIHZ uh kuhl, poets is the name given to certain English poets of the 1600's who were influenced by John Donne, the most important member of the group. Donne wrote on both religious and nonreligious subjects. Metaphysical poets who wrote mainly on religious subjects included Richard Crashaw, George Herbert, and Henry Vaughan. Lord Herbert of Cherbury, John Cleveland, Abraham Cowley, and Andrew Marvell wrote mostly on nonreligious topics.