22 Famous Love Poems

A collection of timeless poems celebrating love’s beauty, devotion, and enduring power.

if ever two were one, then surely we

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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.



  1. 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.



  2. 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
    Short Love Poems



  3. 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




  4. We like someone because  We love someone although. Henri De Montherlant
    Short Love Quotes



  5. 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.



  6. 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!



  7. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Thomas Haynes Bayly
    Long Distance Relationships Poems



  8. 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!



  9. 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?




  10. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.  Elizabeth Barrett Browning
    How Do I Love Thee Poem



  11. 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.



  12. 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!



  13. 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.



  14. 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.



  15. 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.



  16. Discover More from Famous Poets

  17. 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




  18. 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




  19. 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




  20. 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




  21. 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




  22. 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




  23. 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




  24. 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




  25. 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




  26. 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




  27. 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.




A life without the bonds of love. Its pleasure would be none

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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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