65 Beautiful Love Poems: A Guide to Finding Your Perfect Verse

Poetry has long been the language of the heart, offering solace, exhilaration, and understanding to those navigating the complex landscape of love. From the first blush of attraction to the quiet comfort of enduring partnership, and even the ache of loss, poets across centuries and cultures have captured love in its myriad forms. For anyone seeking to express their own feelings, understand the depths of another’s, or simply appreciate the profound beauty of human connection, finding love poems that resonate can be a powerful experience.

This collection gathers 65 of the most moving, insightful, and celebrated love poems ever written. Whether you are searching for words to share, inspiration for your own writing, or simply seeking comfort and beauty, this treasury offers diverse perspectives on love that speak across time and experience. Dive in to discover verses that illuminate the passionate, the tender, the challenging, and the utterly unique facets of love. Looking for concise, yet profound expressions? Explore some short deep love poems that pack an emotional punch.

1. “Come, And Be My Baby” by Maya Angelou

A close-up portrait of Maya Angelou smiling warmly.

Maya Angelou, a towering figure in American literature and civil rights activism, offers a poignant portrayal of love as refuge in “Come, And Be My Baby.” Amidst the chaos and overwhelming nature of modern life, this poem beautifully articulates how the simple presence and comfort of a loved one can provide a momentary sanctuary, a space of peace and belonging. It speaks to the soul’s need for connection in a busy world.

2. “Bird-Understander” by Craig Arnold

These are your own words
your way of noticing
and saying plainly
of not turning away
from hurt
you have offered them
to me I am only
giving them back
if only I could show you
how very useless
they are not

Craig Arnold’s “Bird-Understander” is remarkable for its raw honesty and simple, direct language. The poem recounts an intimate moment with a partner that deepens the poet’s love. Through a seemingly simple observation, the poem builds a powerful, evocative metaphor that allows the reader to access and understand the depth of Arnold’s feelings, highlighting the profound impact of a loved one’s unique perspective.

3. “Habitation” by Margaret Atwood

at the back where we squat
outside, eating popcorn
the edge of the receding glacier
where painfully and with wonder
at having survived even
this far
we are learning to make fire

Margaret Atwood, renowned for her incisive prose, brings a similar stark realism to “Habitation.” This poem confronts the challenges inherent in long-term relationships and acknowledges the effort required to sustain them. Its beauty lies in its candor, presenting love not as a fantasy, but as a shared struggle and a place of wonder found in mutual survival and the simple act of “learning to make fire” together.

4. “Variations on the Word Love” by Margaret Atwood

Abstract art featuring layered shapes and colors, evoking different emotional states.

One of the most fascinating aspects of love is its multifaceted nature. Margaret Atwood’s “Variations on the Word Love” explores this complexity, laying bare the myriad forms love can take – from the expectedly passionate to the surprisingly mundane or even uncomfortable. The poem challenges simple definitions, inviting readers to consider the broad spectrum of emotions and relationships labeled under this single, overloaded word.

5. “The More Loving One” by W.H. Auden

Were all stars to disappear or die,
I should learn to look at an empty sky
And feel its total dark sublime,
Though this might take me a little time.

While often less celebrated than poems of joy, poems exploring heartbreak and loss can be profoundly beautiful. W.H. Auden’s “The More Loving One” uses an extended celestial metaphor to capture the pain of unrequited or ended love. The speaker grapples with the reality of being the one who loved more deeply, yet finds a strange, somber resilience in facing the resulting emptiness, acknowledging the difficulty but also the possibility of finding a dark “sublime.”

6. “To My Dear and Loving Husband” by Anne Bradstreet

Thy love is such I can no way repay;
The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.
Then while we live, in love let’s so persever,
That when we live no more, we may live ever.

Anne Bradstreet, an early American poet writing from a Puritan perspective, imbues “To My Dear and Loving Husband” with deep religious faith and gratitude for the gift of marriage. While the language reflects its time, the poem’s genuine expression of devotion, appreciation for her husband’s love, and hope for an eternal bond make it a moving testament to enduring affection. It shows how love poetry can be deeply intertwined with personal belief systems.

7. “Always For The First Time” by André Breton

There is a silk ladder unrolled across the ivy
There is
That leaning over the precipice
Of the hopeless fusion of your presence and absence
I have found the secret
Of loving you
Always for the first time

André Breton, a key figure in the surrealist movement, crafts “Always For The First Time” as an ode to an idealized, perhaps unmet, beloved. The poem blurs the lines between dream and reality, capturing the whimsical, intense feeling of anticipation and the perpetual freshness of love when experienced through a lens of imagination and longing. It’s a beautiful example of how surrealism can explore the depths of romantic obsession.

8. “Love and Friendship” by Emily Brontë

A thorny rose bush next to a branch of holly with red berries.

Emily Brontë, famous for Wuthering Heights, here turns her poetic gaze to distinguish between romantic love and friendship. Comparing fleeting romantic love to a beautiful but short-lived rose and enduring friendship to the resilient, evergreen holly tree, she offers a powerful argument for the steadfast strength and lasting value of platonic bonds, proving that love poetry isn’t solely confined to romantic connection.

9. “To Be In Love” by Gwendolyn Brooks

To be in love
Is to touch with a lighter hand.
In yourself you stretch, you are well.

Gwendolyn Brooks, the first African-American Pulitzer Prize winner for poetry, offers a concise yet profound definition of love in “To Be In Love.” She captures the intense transformation and sense of well-being that falling in love can bring. The feeling of becoming more expansive, healthier, and lighter in touch perfectly encapsulates the uplifting power of deep affection, offering valuable insights for those interested in finding love poems that explore personal growth.

10. “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.

One of the most famous love poems in the English language, Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)” remains a powerful and widely quoted declaration. Its enduring appeal lies in its ardent yet clear enumeration of love’s magnitude, reaching into the spiritual and existential realms. It exemplifies a direct, passionate expression that has resonated for generations seeking words for profound devotion.

11. “A Red, Red Rose” by Robert Burns

A single, vibrant red rose with dew drops on its petals.

Robert Burns’s “A Red, Red Rose” is a classic for its simple, evocative comparisons. Likening love to a newly sprung rose and a melodie “sweetly play’d,” Burns conveys both the passion and the refreshing beauty of his feelings. The poem’s strength lies in its accessibility and the genuine depth conveyed through seemingly simple natural images, showing how timeless metaphors can capture profound emotion.

12. “She Walks in Beauty” by Lord Byron

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

Lord Byron, often associated with romantic rebellion, presents a more serene form of admiration in “She Walks in Beauty.” The poem focuses on the internal and external harmony of the subject, comparing her beauty not to superficial daylight but to the serene, profound beauty of a starry night. It’s a poem of exquisite observation, celebrating beauty that is deep and pure rather than merely striking.

13. “Love is a fire that burns unseen” by Luís Vaz de Camões

Love is a fire that burns unseen,
a wound that aches yet isn’t felt,
an always discontent contentment,
a pain that rages without hurting,

Luís Vaz de Camões, a giant of Portuguese literature, captures the paradoxical nature of love in this lyrical poem. Drawing on his own experiences of turbulent relationships, he describes love as a fusion of pleasure and pain, presence and absence, known and unknown. The poem highlights love’s inherent contradictions, presenting it as a powerful, often mysterious force.

14. “Beautiful Signor” by Cyrus Cassells

This is the endless wanderlust:
dervish,
yours is the April-upon-April love
that kept me spinning even beyond your eventful arms
toward the unsurpassed:
the one vast claiming heart,
the glimmering,
the beautiful and revealed Signor.

From his collection dedicated to “Lovers everywhere,” Cyrus Cassells’ “Beautiful Signor” explores romantic love against the backdrop of the AIDS epidemic, reminding readers of its vital beauty. The poem uses evocative language (“endless wanderlust,” “April-upon-April love”) to describe a transformative, almost spiritual love that propels the speaker towards a greater, unifying force, embodying both personal devotion and a universal yearning.

15. “Rondel of Merciless Beauty” by Geoffrey Chaucer

Upon my word, I tell you faithfully
Through life and after death you are my queen;
For with my death the whole truth shall be seen.
Your two great eyes will slay me suddenly;
Their beauty shakes me who was once serene;
Straight through my heart the wound is quick and keen.

Geoffrey Chaucer, the “Father of English poetry,” offers a portrayal of love’s painful intensity in “Rondel of Merciless Beauty.” Translated from Middle English, the poem speaks of heartbreak and unyielding devotion despite suffering. The speaker is simultaneously captivated and wounded by the beloved’s beauty, pledging loyalty even unto death, showcasing the enduring theme of love as a force both powerful and destructive.

16. “Love Comes Quietly” by Robert Creeley

Robert Creeley’s brief but impactful poem “Love Comes Quietly” perfectly captures the feeling of being so engrossed in love that life before the beloved seems almost forgotten. The poem highlights the subtle, transformative way love can enter life, not with a grand fanfare, but a quiet, pervasive presence that becomes indispensable, offering a perspective for those exploring poems about unexpected love.

17. “[i carry your heart with me(i carry it in]” by E. E. Cummings

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)

E.E. Cummings’s iconic love poem, “[i carry your heart with me(i carry it in]” is a testament to the complete intertwining of two lives in love. Known for his unique use of language and structure, Cummings creates rich, intimate imagery that conveys an almost spiritual union. The poem expresses a love so profound that the speaker’s very being and actions are inseparable from the beloved, making it a prime example for anyone seeking deeply connected verses.

18. “[love is more thicker than forget]” by E.E. Cummings

love is more thicker than forget
more thinner than recall
more seldom than a wave is wet
more frequent than to fail

Another fascinating exploration of love by E.E. Cummings, “[love is more thicker than forget]” delves into love’s complex, paradoxical nature. Through unusual comparisons, the poem suggests love defies simple definition, being both rare and common, elusive yet profoundly present. It challenges conventional descriptions, highlighting love’s mysterious and contradictory qualities.

19. “Sthandwa sami (my beloved, isiZulu)” by Yrsa Daley-Ward

my thoughts about you are frightening but precise
I can see the house on the hill where we make our own vegetables out back
and drink warm wine out of jam jars
and sing songs in the kitchen until the sun comes up
wena you make me feel like myself again.

From her collection bone, Yrsa Daley-Ward’s “Sthandwa sami (my beloved, isiZulu)” is a deeply personal and revealing portrayal of love as a return to self. The poem paints vivid, intimate domestic scenes that feel both vulnerable and precise, culminating in the powerful realization that the beloved facilitates a sense of authenticity and wholeness within the speaker. It’s a beautiful example of love’s capacity for healing and self-discovery.

20. “Married Love” by Guan Daosheng

You and I
Have so much love,
That it
Burns like a fire,
In which we bake a lump of clay
Molded into a figure of you
And a figure of me.

Guan Daosheng, a Chinese poet and painter from the Yuan Dynasty, uses the simple, powerful image of clay figurines molded and baked together to represent the union achieved through marriage. The fire that solidifies the clay symbolizes the intense love that fuses two individuals into one entity, illustrating love’s transformative and unifying power from a historical and cultural perspective.

21. “Heart, we will forget him!” by Emily Dickinson

Heart, we will forget him!
You and I, to-night!
You may forget the warmth he gave,
I will forget the light.

Characteristically forceful, Emily Dickinson’s “Heart, we will forget him!” captures the defiant yet ultimately futile attempt to overcome the pain of lost love. The speaker directly addresses her own heart, commanding it to forget, yet the very act of doing so reveals the depth of what was lost (“the warmth,” “the light”). It’s a powerful portrayal of heartbreak and the internal struggle to move on.

22. “Air and Angels” by John Donne

A painting depicting angels or ethereal figures in a cloudy sky.

John Donne, a master of metaphysical poetry, often blended the sacred and the secular. In “Air and Angels,” he initially compares his love to the pure, elegant movements of angels. However, the poem evolves to explore how spiritual love must take on a physical form (“air”) to connect in the material world, just as two lovers combine their individual essences to create a stronger, unified bond. It’s a complex look at the spiritual and physical dimensions of love.

23. “Flirtation” by Rita Dove

Outside the sun
has rolled up her rugs
and night strewn salt
across the sky. My heart
is humming a tune
I haven’t heard in years!

Rita Dove perfectly captures the exciting anticipation and lighthearted joy of new attraction in “Flirtation.” The external description of dusk gives way to an internal feeling of renewed energy and happiness (“My heart is humming a tune”). The poem’s relatable depiction of the exhilarating start of a potential romance makes it a wonderful find for those exploring the different stages of love.

24. “Heart to Heart” by Rita Dove

It’s neither red
nor sweet.
It doesn’t melt
or turn over,
break or harden,
so it can’t feel
pain,
yearning,
regret.

In contrast to many conventional love poems, Rita Dove’s “Heart to Heart” rejects clichés about the heart’s role in love. By denying the physical organ the metaphorical attributes typically assigned to it, the poem subtly underscores the idea that true love exists beyond simple physical or sentimental notions. It’s a grounded, honest approach to expressing affection, suggesting love is more complex and perhaps less fragile than tradition implies.

25. “Love” by Carol Ann Duffy

you’re where I stand, hearing the sea, crazy
for the shore, seeing the moon ache and fret
for the earth. When morning comes, the sun, ardent,
covers the trees in gold, you walk
towards me,
out of the season, out of the light love reasons.

Carol Ann Duffy, the first female and openly lesbian British Poet Laureate, delivers a monologue-style poem in “Love” that links her feelings to the boundless forces of nature. Comparing love to the sea’s yearning for the shore or the sun’s golden coverage, she portrays it as a powerful, elemental force that transcends logic and season, emphasizing its overwhelming and natural presence in her life.

26. “The Love Poem” by Carol Ann Duffy

From her collection Rapture, which charts a love affair, Carol Ann Duffy’s “The Love Poem” takes a metafictional turn, exploring the challenge of writing about love itself. The speaker struggles to find adequate words for the depth of feeling, implicitly referencing other famous love poems in her effort. It highlights the paradox of love being a universal experience yet intensely difficult to capture uniquely in language.

27. “Before You Came” by Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Don’t leave now that you’re here—
Stay. So the world may become like itself again:
so the sky may by the sky,
the road a road,
and the glass of wine not a mirror, just a glass of wine.

Faiz Ahmed Faiz, a celebrated Urdu poet known for blending themes of love and politics, describes the transformative power of a beloved’s presence in “Before You Came.” The poem beautifully illustrates how love can clarify perception, stripping away distortion and allowing the world to be seen simply and truly. The beloved’s presence restores a sense of normalcy and reality, making the world feel “like itself again.”

28. “Lines Depicting Simple Happiness” by Peter Gizzi

It feels right to notice all the shiny things about you
About you there is nothing I wouldn’t want to know
With you nothing is simple yet nothing is simpler
About you many good things come into relation

Peter Gizzi finds beauty in simplicity and genuine adoration in “Lines Depicting Simple Happiness.” The poem avoids grand gestures or clichés, instead focusing on the quiet rightness of observing the beloved and the comfortable complexity of their shared presence. It highlights the understated joy and richness found in deep connection and the desire to know everything about the loved one.

29. “Six Sonnets: Crossing the West” by Janice Gould

In that communion of lovers, thick sobs
break from me as I think of my love
back home, all that I have done
and cannot say. This is the first time
I have left her so completely, so alone.

Janice Gould, whose work often explores themes of Indigenous and lesbian identity, captures the pain of separation and longing in “Six Sonnets: Crossing the West.” The poem contrasts the communal experience of other lovers with the speaker’s intense, private sorrow at being apart from her beloved. It speaks to the deep bond that makes even temporary absence feel profound and isolating.

30. “For Keeps” by Joy Harjo

A vibrant outdoor scene, perhaps a garden or natural landscape.

Joy Harjo, former US Poet Laureate and member of the Muscogee Creek Nation, often weaves nature into her poetry. In “For Keeps,” she creates an unbreakable link between her feelings for her lover and the enduring beauty of the natural world. This comparison elevates the love, suggesting it possesses the same timelessness and intrinsic value as the earth itself, making it a bond meant “for keeps.”

31. “You Are the Penultimate Love of My Life” by Rebecca Hazelton

The garden you plant and I plant
is tunneled through by voles,
the vowels
we speak aren’t vows,
but there’s something
holding me here, for now,
like your eyes, which I suppose
are brown, after all.’

Rebecca Hazelton offers an refreshingly unorthodox and realistic love poem in “You Are the Penultimate Love of My Life.” It eschews the idea of a single, perfect soulmate, acknowledging imperfection (“garden… tunneled through by voles”) and uncertainty (“vowels we speak aren’t vows”). Yet, it affirms the reality and value of the current connection, finding beauty and a holding power in the relationship as it is, including simple details like the beloved’s eye color. It’s a good example for those searching for amusing love poems or ones that break from tradition.

32. “Yours” by Daniel Hoffman

I am yours as the summer air at evening is
Possessed by the scent of linden blossoms,
As the snowcap gleams with light
Lent it by the brimming moon.
Without you I’d be an unleaded tree
Blasted in a bleakness with no Spring.

Daniel Hoffman crafts a series of carefully chosen, evocative metaphors in “Yours” to express complete devotion. By comparing his state of being “yours” to natural phenomena – the air possessed by scent, the snow by moonlight – he conveys the depth and naturalness of his connection. The final image of himself as a barren tree without the beloved emphasizes the vital, life-giving role of this love.

33. “A Love Song for Lucinda” by Langston Hughes

Love
Is a high mountain
Stark in a windy sky.
If you
Would never lose your breath
Do not climb too high.

Langston Hughes, a central figure of the Harlem Renaissance, uses simple, vivid metaphors drawn from the natural world in “A Love Song for Lucinda.” Each stanza offers a different comparison for love (a mountain, a river, a dream), highlighting its exhilarating and sometimes perilous nature. The poem captures the enchanting, all-encompassing feeling of falling in love while hinting at its potential dangers if one becomes too overwhelmed.

34. “Poem for My Love” by June Jordan

June Jordan, a prolific writer and activist, expresses profound spiritual awe for her partner and their transcendent love in “Poem for My Love.” The poem conveys a sense of sacredness and deep respect for the beloved and the connection they share, elevating their relationship beyond the ordinary. It’s a powerful testament to the transformative and almost divine feeling that love can inspire.

35. “for him” by Rupi Kaur

no,
it won’t
be love at
first sight when
we meet it’ll be love
at first remembrance
‘cause i’ve recognized you
in my mother’s eyes when she tells me,
marry the type of man you’d want to raise your son to be like.

From her widely popular collection milk and honey, Rupi Kaur’s “for him” offers a modern take on love’s inevitability. The poem uses accessible language and formatting to express a love that feels destined, not based on a sudden visual spark, but on a deeper, perhaps ancestral, recognition. The connection to her mother’s wisdom grounds the poem in a sense of inherited longing and destined connection.

36. Untitled by Rupi Kaur

love will hurt you but
love will never mean to
love will play no games
cause love knows life
has been hard enough already

Another concise, impactful poem from milk and honey, this untitled piece reflects a world-weary yet ultimately generous view of love. It acknowledges love’s potential for pain (“will hurt you”) but asserts its fundamental innocence and benevolent intent (“never mean to”). It suggests love understands the hardships of life and seeks to alleviate rather than add to them, offering a comforting perspective.

37. “Poem To An Unnameable Man” by Dorothea Lasky

And I will not cry also
Although you will expect me to
I was wiser too than you had expected
For I knew all along you were mine

Dorothea Lasky, known for her distinctive voice, uses celestial imagery and a sense of quiet power in “Poem To An Unnameable Man.” Addressing a lover who may underestimate her, the speaker asserts her knowledge and strength, particularly in the context of their connection. The poem is an interesting exploration of power dynamics and self-possession within a romantic relationship.

38. “Movement Song” by Audre Lorde

A pair of hands gently releasing a white dove into the sky.

Audre Lorde, a celebrated feminist, lesbian, and civil rights activist, explores the aftermath of a relationship’s end in “Movement Song.” While acknowledging the sorrow of heartbreak, the poem ultimately turns towards hope and the possibility of new beginnings for both individuals, even if apart. It’s a poem about resilience and the continuation of life and self after loss.

39. “Camomile Tea” by Katherine Mansfield

We might be fifty, we might be five,
So snug, so compact, so wise are we!
Under the kitchen-table leg
My knee is pressing against his knee.
Our shutters are shut, the fire is low,
The tap is dripping peacefully;
The saucepan shadows on the wall
Are black and round and plain to see.

Katherine Mansfield, known for her insightful short stories, paints a tranquil picture of comfortable, long-term love in “Camomile Tea.” The poem finds beauty in the simple, mundane details of domestic life shared with a beloved – the quiet intimacy, the shared space, the peaceful routine. It highlights the underrated joy and profound satisfaction found in familiar companionship, offering a contrast to more passionate portrayals.

40. “Love Elegy in the Chinese Garden, with Koi” by Nathan McClain

Because who hasn’t done that —
loved so intently even after everything
has gone? Love something that has washed
its hands of you? I like to think I’m different now,
that I’m enlightened somehow,
but who am I kidding?

Inspired by a visit to a botanical garden, Nathan McClain’s “Love Elegy in the Chinese Garden, with Koi” captures the anxiety and emotional baggage that can accompany potential new love, especially after past hurts. The poem speaks to the common experience of loving someone who has moved on and the internal struggle to approach new relationships free from those past burdens, even while acknowledging the persistent possibility of falling into old patterns.

41. “I think I should have loved you presently (Sonnet IX)” by Edna St. Vincent Millay

I think I should have loved you presently,
And given in earnest words I flung in jest;
And lifted honest eyes for you to see,
And caught your hand against my cheek and breast;
And all my pretty follies flung aside
That won you to me, and beneath you gaze

Edna St. Vincent Millay, known for her lyrical and often unconventional style, explores the speaker’s inability to fully commit to genuine emotion in “I think I should have loved you presently.” The poem expresses regret for choosing superficial flirtation over sincere affection, highlighting a missed opportunity for deeper connection. It’s a poignant reflection on the barriers we sometimes create against true love.

42. “Love Sonnet XI” by Pablo Neruda

I crave your mouth, your voice, your hair.
Silent and starving, I prowl through the streets.
Bread does not nourish me, dawn disrupts
me, all day
I hunt for the liquid measure of your steps.

Pablo Neruda, the celebrated Chilean poet, conveys an intense, almost obsessive longing in “Love Sonnet XI.” The speaker is consumed by thoughts of the beloved, to the point where basic sustenance and the rhythms of daily life are disrupted. This poem walks the line between passionate devotion and overwhelming need, illustrating the powerful, sometimes unsettling, nature of deep desire. This intensity might appeal to those searching for love poems her that express profound craving.

43. “Your Feet” by Pablo Neruda

Close-up image of bare feet standing on a natural surface, perhaps sand or stone.

In “Your Feet,” Pablo Neruda offers an unusual yet incredibly intimate expression of love, focusing on a seemingly mundane part of the beloved’s body. By detailing his adoration from head to toe, starting with the feet, he conveys a complete and utter acceptance and appreciation of the whole person. The poem feels grounded and deeply personal, celebrating love in its specific, tangible details.

44. “Dear One Absent This Long While” by Lisa Olstein

I expect you. I thought one night it was you
at the base of the drive, you at the foot of the stairs
you in a shiver of light, but each time
leaves in wind revealed themselves,
the retreating shadow of a fox, daybreak.
We expect you, cat and I, bluebirds and I, the stove.

Lisa Olstein beautifully captures the anxious anticipation and vivid longing experienced when waiting for a loved one to return in “Dear One Absent This Long While.” The speaker sees glimpses of the beloved everywhere – in shifting leaves, shadows, light – highlighting how absence makes the heart constantly search for their presence. The inclusion of mundane elements like the cat, bluebirds, and stove waiting underscores how integral the beloved is to the everyday fabric of life.

45. “My Lover Is a Woman” by Pat Parker

my lover is a woman
& when i hold her
feel her warmth
i feel good
feel safe

Pat Parker, an American poet and activist, wrote from her experiences as a Black lesbian feminist. “My Lover Is a Woman” is a powerful declaration of identity and love. In a world that often presented challenges, her relationship serves as a vital source of safety, comfort, and well-being. The poem is direct and affirming, celebrating the strength and security found in her specific love.

46. “It Is Here” by Harold Pinter

What is this stance we take,
To turn away and then turn back?
What did we hear?
It was the breath we took when we first met.
Listen. It is here.

Nobel laureate Harold Pinter, primarily known for his plays, pens a simple yet profound poem about the enduring nature of love in “It Is Here.” The poem suggests that the initial spark, the moment of first connection (“the breath we took when we first met”), remains present within the relationship, transcending time. It encourages listeners to “Listen” and find that foundational moment still existing in the present.

47. “Untitled” by Christopher Poindexter

I miss you even when you
are beside me.
I dream of your body
even when you are sleeping
in my arms.
The words I love you
could never be enough.

Christopher Poindexter’s untitled poem offers a deeply honest and relatable portrayal of love’s overwhelming nature. It captures the paradoxical feeling of longing and desire even when the beloved is physically present. The final lines express the common struggle to articulate the depth of such intense feeling, suggesting that even the most fundamental declaration, “I love you,” feels insufficient.

48. “Love Is Not A Word” by Riyas Qurana

Amidst all this
I keep a falling flower in the mid-air
Not to fall on the earth
Is it not up to you who search for it
To come and sit on it
And make love?
Don’t forget to bring the word
Darling
When you come.

Riyas Qurana’s “Love Is Not A Word” presents a unique, personified view of love, suggesting it is an active force or entity rather than just a concept or feeling. The poem is somewhat ambiguous, inviting the reader (or beloved) to actively engage with love, symbolized by the suspended flower. It ends with a request for the simple, intimate word “Darling,” hinting that while love is more than a word, certain words are essential to its expression.

49. “[Again and again, even though we know love’s landscape]” by Rainer Maria Rilke

Again and again, even though we know love’s landscape
and the little churchyard with its lamenting names
and the terrible reticent gorge in which the others
end: again and again the two of us walk out together
under the ancient trees, lay ourselves down again and
again
among the flowers, and look up into the sky.

Rainer Maria Rilke, a poet who viewed love as one of life’s most challenging tasks, celebrates the enduring, everyday commitment in “[Again and again, even though we know love’s landscape].” The poem acknowledges the risks and inevitable losses associated with love (“churchyard,” “gorge”) but emphasizes the choice to continue, repeatedly returning to the beloved and finding solace and connection in shared moments amidst nature. It highlights the strength found in mutual vulnerability and perseverance.

50. “Echo” by Christina Rossetti

A figure standing alone and looking into a misty, echoing landscape.

Christina Rossetti’s “Echo” is a poignant reflection on lost love and the intense longing for its return. The speaker is consumed by the memory of the beloved, wishing for them to reappear like an echo responding to a call. The poem captures the despair and yearning that accompany heartbreak, portraying love’s aftermath as a haunting, resonant absence. It offers a voice for those seeking poems about heartbreak and loss.

51. “I loved you first: but afterwards your love” by Christina Rossetti

I loved you first: but afterwards your love
Outsoaring mine, sang such a loftier song
As drowned the friendly cooings of my dove.
Which owes the other most? my love was long,
And yours one moment seemed to wax more strong

Also by Christina Rossetti, this poem explores the dynamic and sometimes competitive nature of love within a relationship. While questioning who loved more or better, the poem ultimately arrives at a sense of unity, suggesting that their individual loves combine to create something greater than either alone. It speaks to the experience of two hearts beating together, each amplifying the other’s affection.

52. “Defeated by Love” by Rumi

The sky was lit
by the splendor of the moon
So powerful
I fell to the ground
Your love
has made me sure
I am ready to forsake
this worldly life
and surrender
to the magnificence
of your Bering

The ecstatic and transformative power of divine or intense earthly love is palpable in Rumi’s “Defeated by Love.” The 13th-century Persian poet conveys a sense of overwhelming awe and surrender in the face of love’s magnificence. This poem is a powerful testament to love’s ability to transcend the material world and lead one towards a profound sense of truth and spiritual connection.

53. “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? (Sonnet 18)” by William Shakespeare

A weathered book page featuring the opening lines of Shakespeare's Sonnet 18.

Perhaps the most famous love poem in the English language, William Shakespeare’s “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? (Sonnet 18)” is a masterclass in celebrating the beloved’s eternal beauty. While seemingly simple, the sonnet argues that the beloved is more constant and lovely than a fleeting summer day, and that their beauty will be immortalized within the poem itself, living on “so long as men can breathe, or eyes can see.” It’s a foundational text for anyone interested in finding love poems that speak of enduring beauty.

54. “Let me not to the marriage of true minds (Sonnet 116)” by William Shakespeare

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove.
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark

In “Let me not to the marriage of true minds (Sonnet 116),” Shakespeare defines true love by its constancy and resilience. He asserts that genuine love does not change with circumstance, time, or distance. It is an unwavering beacon, a steadfast force that endures despite challenges. This sonnet is a powerful argument for love’s ideal permanence and stability.

55. “My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun” (Sonnet 130) by William Shakespeare

I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground:
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.

Challenging the conventional, often exaggerated comparisons used in love poetry, Shakespeare’s “My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun” is a refreshing and honest declaration of love for a real person, not an idealized goddess. By listing her perfectly human flaws, he paradoxically elevates her, asserting that his love for her is as genuine and valuable as any celebrated through “false compare.” It’s a celebration of authentic, unvarnished affection.

56. “Love’s Philosophy” by Percy Bysshe Shelley

The fountains mingle with the river
And the rivers with the ocean,
The winds of heaven mix forever
With a sweet emotion;
Nothing in the world is single;
All things by a law divine
In one spirit meet and mingle
Why not I with thine?

Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “Love’s Philosophy” uses a series of natural examples – mingling waters, mixing winds – to argue for the inherent human need for connection and unity in love. The poem presents love as a natural law, suggesting that just as elements in nature combine, it is divine and necessary for human spirits to meet and mingle. It poses a persuasive, almost logical, question to the beloved about joining together.

57. “One Day I Wrote her Name (Sonnet 75)” by Edmund Spenser

One day I wrote her name upon the strand,
But came the waves and washed it away:
Again I wrote it with a second hand,
But came the tide, and made my pains his prey.

Part of his sonnet sequence Amoretti, Edmund Spenser’s “One Day I Wrote her Name (Sonnet 75)” reflects on the desire for love’s immortality in the face of time’s fleeting nature. Despite the waves repeatedly washing away the beloved’s name written in the sand, the speaker asserts that their love will be eternalized not by fragile physical monuments, but by the enduring power of his verse. It’s a classic statement on the lasting power of poetry to preserve love.

58. “I Am Not Yours” by Sara Teasdale

A figure standing on a beach looking out at the ocean waves.

Sara Teasdale’s “I Am Not Yours” expresses a deep yearning for transformative, all-consuming love. The speaker feels a sense of detachment and absence of true belonging in their current state and longs for a love so intense and immersive that it would make them feel utterly lost and consumed within it. It’s a poem about the desire for a love that transcends the self.

59. “Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Now sleeps the crimson petal, now the white;
Nor waves the cypress in the palace walk;
Nor winks the gold fin in the porphyry font.
The firefly wakens; waken thou with me.
Now drops the milk-white peacock like a ghost,
And like a ghost she glimmers on to me.

A sensual and evocative song from Tennyson’s longer poem The Princess, “Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal” was inspired by the Persian ghazal form. It creates a vivid, nighttime setting filled with sleeping nature and awakening life (the firefly). The poem is a rich example of using natural imagery and sensory details to invite the beloved to join the speaker in the intimate, heightened reality of the night, symbolizing a deeper union.

60. “poem I wrote sitting across the table from you” by Kevin Varrone

I would fold myself
into the hole in my pocket and disappear
into the pocket of myself, or at least my pants
but before I did
like some ancient star
I’d grab your hand

Kevin Varrone’s “poem I wrote sitting across the table from you” captures the feeling of intimate connection and the desire for shared experience, even in quiet, mundane moments. Written from a coffee shop setting, the poem contrasts the speaker’s whimsical thoughts of disappearing with the grounding reality of the beloved’s presence and the simple, powerful act of reaching out to hold their hand, signifying a desire for shared journey.

61. “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” by Ocean Vuong

Tell me it was for the hunger
& nothing less. For hunger is to give
the body what it knows
it cannot keep. That this amber light
whittled down by another war
is all that pins my hand
to your chest.

From the poem that shares its title with his acclaimed novel, Ocean Vuong’s “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” explores love, desire, and impermanence with striking vulnerability. The poem links physical hunger and transient beauty to profound connection, suggesting that love is a vital need, even when understood to be fleeting. The image of light and touch conveys intimacy amidst a backdrop of history and struggle, speaking to the intensity of moments shared in a fragile world.

62. “Love After Love” by Derek Walcott

You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you
all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.

Nobel laureate Derek Walcott offers a powerful message of self-love and healing after heartbreak in “Love After Love.” The poem serves as a guide to returning to oneself, urging the reader to embrace the “stranger” within who has been there all along. It suggests that self-acceptance and self-care are essential steps in recovery, presenting self-love as a foundational, enduring relationship. This poem is a source of solace when finding love poems that help mend a broken heart.

63. “I Love You” by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

I love your lips when they’re wet with wine
And red with a wild desire;
I love your eyes when the lovelight lies
Lit with a passionate fire.
I love your arms when the warm white flesh
Touches mine in a fond embrace;
I love your hair when the strands enmesh
Your kisses against my face.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox’s “I Love You” is a passionate and sensory exploration of physical attraction and desire within love. The poem enumerates the specific physical details and moments that ignite the speaker’s passion, from lips and eyes to arms and hair. By focusing on these tangible aspects, the poem builds a vivid picture of intense, embodied affection.

64. “We Have Not Long to Love” by Tennessee Williams

An old photograph of a couple sitting close together, perhaps on a bench or porch.

Tennessee Williams, best known for his iconic plays, offers a poignant reminder of love’s transient nature in “We Have Not Long to Love.” The poem underscores the importance of cherishing the time spent with a beloved, urging readers to appreciate the present moments of connection. It’s a call to seize the day and value love keenly, recognizing that its duration is finite.

65. “Poem to First Love” by Matthew Yeager

To have been told “I love you” by you could well be, for me,
the highlight of my life, the best feeling, the best peak
on my feeling graph, in the way that the Chrysler building
might not be the tallest building in the NY sky but is
the best, the most exquisitely spired

Matthew Yeager’s “Poem to First Love” captures the intense, often disproportionate significance of a first declaration of love. Using a relatable, almost quantitative approach (“best peak on my feeling graph”) and a specific, personal comparison (the Chrysler building), the poem conveys the profound, lasting impact of that initial experience. It’s a bittersweet look back at a formative moment in one’s emotional history.

This collection represents just a glimpse into the vast and beautiful world of love poetry. Each poem offers a unique lens through which to view this most human of emotions, proving that no matter the era or style, the search for words to capture love is a timeless endeavor.

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Seeking more poetic inspiration? Explore the world’s most impactful verses with our list of the 60+ best poetry books of all time.