22 Famous Love Poems
A collection of timeless poems celebrating love’s beauty, devotion, and enduring power.
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Famous Love Poems
Updated January 23, 2025, by Catherine Pulsifer
Love is one of life’s greatest treasures. It has inspired poets for centuries to capture the emotions that connect us all. On this page, you’ll find timeless poems that celebrate the beauty, devotion, and power of love.
From George Eliot’s comforting words about true companionship to Anne Bradstreet’s heartfelt devotion to her husband, these poems remind us of the deep bonds love creates. Ella Wheeler Wilcox reflects on love through time, while Robert Browning shows the persistence of a loving heart.
Each poem here tells its own story, offering words that may feel like they were written just for you. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, a way to share your feelings, or simply want to appreciate the beauty of poetry, these famous love poems are sure to warm your heart and lift your spirit.
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The Gesture of Love
Poet: George Eliot
Oh the comfort,
the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person,
having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words,
but to pour them all out, just as they are,
chaff and grain together,
knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them,
keep what is worth keeping,
and then with the breath of kindness,
blow the rest away.
Short Love Poems
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Time And Love
Poet: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Time flies. The swift hours hurry by
And speed us on to untried ways;
New seasons ripen, perish, die,
And yet love stays.
The old, old love — like sweet at first,
At last like bitter wine —
I know not if it blest or curst,
Thy life and mine.
Read the complete poem, Time And Love
Short Love Quotes
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To My Dear and Loving Husband
Anne Bradstreet
If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were loved by wife, then thee.
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye women, if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold,
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee give recompense.
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.
I Never Knew
Poet: John Kendrick Bangs
I never knew a night so black
Light failed to follow on its track.
I never knew a storm so gray
It failed to have its clearing day.
I never knew such bleak despair
That there was not a rift, somewhere.
I never knew an hour so drear
Love could not fill it full of cheer!
Long Distance Relationships Poems
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Life in a Love
Poet: Robert Browning
Escape me?
Never—
Beloved!
While I am I, and you are you,
So long as the world contains us both,
Me the loving and you the loth,
While the one eludes, must the other pursue.
My life is a fault at last, I fear:
It seems too much like a fate, indeed!
Though I do my best I shall scarce succeed.
But what if I fail of my purpose here?
It is but to keep the nerves at strain,
To dry one's eyes and laugh at a fall,
And baffled, get up to begin again,-
So the chase takes up one's life, that's all.
While, look but once from your farthest bound,
At me so deep in the dust and dark,
No sooner the old hope drops to ground
Than a new one, straight to the selfsame mark,
I shape me—
Ever
Removed!
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What Can Love Do?
Poet: John Imrie
Love can make the eyes shine bright,
Love can brighten darkest night;
Love can make the lover gush,
Love can make the maiden blush.
Read the complete poem, What Can Love Do?
How Do I Love Thee Poem
Jack and Jill
Poet: Wilhelmina Stitch
Jack and Jill went up the hill—the Hill of Life—together.
And luck was good and luck was ill, and fair and foul the weather.
It happened sometimes Jack fell down; but they were parted never,
For Jill with love would mend his crown—ah, Jill was very clever!
Oh, Jack and Jill went up the hill—the Hill of Life—together;
The smooth, the rough, each dale and vale, and they were parted never.
It happened sometimes they would spill the bread and water life demands.
Then Jack would smile, and so would Jill, and clasp in love each other's hands.
When both were old and both were grey, they reached the summit of Life's hill.
Said they, “Life's been both work and play; and must be so for Jack and Jill."
And thus I read the dear old rhyme of Jack and Jill and water pail:
The hurt is healed, yes, every time, if love betwixt them never fail.
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She Walks in Beauty
Poet: 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.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o’er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
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Live to Love
Poet: Ebmund Spenser
Love is life's end; an end but never ending;
All joys, all sweets, all happiness awarding;
Love is life's wealth (ne'er spent but ever spending).
Love's life's reward, rewarded in rewarding:
Then from thy wretched heart fond care remove.
Ah! shouldst thou live but once love's sweets to prove,
Thou wilt not love to live, unless thou live to love.
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The Price Of Love
Poet: David V. Bush
I sought the world over, my darling,
To find you, the joy of my heart;
I could not rest now or forever,
If aught were to drive us apart.
There's nothing in earth or in heaven.
There's nothing beyond the dark tomb,
Can change the fond love that I bear you,
Or cover its brightness with gloom.
My soul to your soul is united
By love-ties which nothing can break;
I'd give up the world and its treasures,
Or heaven itself, for your sake.
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Loved
Poet: Paul Laurence Dunbar
Because I had loved so deeply,
Because I had loved so long,
God in His great compassion
Gave me the gift of song.
Discover More from Famous Poets
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Fairer Than Lilies
Poet: Mary C. Ryan
Fairer than lilies in bloom,
Fraught with the sparkling dew,
Brighter than dancing sunbeams
On the waters blue,
Sweeter than nightingale songs
In the stilly night,
Is the idol of my heart,
Its joy and delight. . . .
Read the complete poem, Fairer Than Lilies
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Impatience
Poet: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
How can I wait until you come to me?
The once fleet mornings linger by the way;
Their sunny smiles touched with malicious glee
At my unrest, they seem to pause, and play
Like truant children, while I sigh and say,
How can I wait. . . .
Read the complete poem, Impatience
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What Love Is
Poet: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Love is the centre and circumference;
The cause and aim of all things — 'tis the key
To joy and sorrow, and the recompense
For all the ills that have been, or may be. . . .
Read the complete poem, What Love Is
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The Golden Wedding
Poet: Caleb Davis Bradlee
Just fifty years ago this day
Two hearts were joined in one!
They asked their God to guide their way,
Through Jesus Christ, the Son. . . .
Read the complete poem, The Golden Wedding
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Send Her a Valentine
Poet: Edgar A. Guest
Send her a valentine to say
You love her in the same old way.
Just drop the long familiar ways
And live again the old-time days
When love was new and youth was bright
And all was laughter and delight,
And treat her as you would if she
Were still the girl that used to be. . . .
Read the complete poem, Send Her a Valentine
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A Bride To Her Husband
Poet: Lillian E. Curtis
Now, confidingly I place my hand in thine,
(May it be a helping hand,)
And pledge myself by thee to stand.
Whether clouds are dark or the sun does shine;
So thou art e'er unfaltering true to me.
Fidelity's hand shall ne'er be withdrawn from thee. . . .
Read the complete poem, A Bride To Her Husband
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Heart Questioning
Poet: John Imrie
What stirs an emotion
As deep as' the ocean,
And strong as the hills that tower above?
'Tis the sound of a sigh,
As the zephyrs go by,
That tells in a breath the presence of Love. . . .
Read the complete poem, Heart Questioning
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True Love
Poet: John Imrie
'Tis a magic spell,
Which lovers know well,
In sunshine and shower the same;
Ever old, yet new,
Both constant and true,
And seeks neither self nor fame. . . .
Read the complete poem, True Love
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Love Is
Poet: J.J. Thorne
A life without the bonds of love.
Its pleasure would be none;
'Tis that warm and tender spirit,
That joins two hearts as one. . . .
Read the complete poem, Love Is
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Let Me But Love
Poet: Henry VanDyke
Let me but love my love without disguise,
Nor wear a mask of fashion old or new,
Nor wait to speak till I can hear a clue,
Nor play a part to shine in others' eyes,
Nor bow my knees to what my heart denies;
But what I am, to that let me be true,
And let me worship where my love is due,
And so through love and worship let me rise. . . .
Read the complete poem, Let Me But Love
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Broken Romance
Poet: Patience Strong
You told me your story -
A picture in words -
A garden with roses and sweet-singing birds -
And two lovers dreaming the moments away -
Bewitched by the spell of the blue Summer's day. . . .
Read the complete poem, Broken Romance
Related Pages:
Valentines Day Poems - A perfect addition to this page, these poems celebrate the love and joy of Valentine’s Day, making them ideal for sharing with your special someone.
Love Poems For Her - These heartfelt poems for her beautifully complement the famous love poems by expressing deep admiration and devotion to the woman you love.
Best Love Poems - A collection of some of the best love poems, offering timeless expressions of love that pair wonderfully with the classics on this page.
Thinking Of You Poems - Perfectly tied to love poems, these verses share tender thoughts for someone special, reminding them they’re always in your heart.
Good Morning Poems - Start the day with love and positivity! These poems bring joy and connect beautifully with the theme of love’s daily presence.
Famous Friendship Poems - Friendship and love often go hand in hand, and these poems celebrate the bonds that enrich our lives, complementing the love shared in the poems on this page.
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More Famous Poems to Express Your Feelings
Some of the poems featured on this page were written by these renowned poets. Click their names to learn more about them and their timeless works:
For a full collection of celebrated poets, visit our Famous Poets page.
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