Love poetry in English spans centuries. Choosing the right love poem to make your lover happy, to celebrate Valentine’s Day, or to bring you closer together on any day can be difficult. Since thousands of years have produced thousands of love poems you need a guide through the sea of options. This article can serve as one.
Read on to learn about 5 love poems in English from different centuries and tones. One of them should suffice in helping you connect with your partner and show them how you feel. Whether you’re seeking devotion or forgiveness, these poems can help.
“Sonnet 40” by William Shakespeare
We all know William Shakespeare holds the key to love in the realm of English poetry. So we figured we should give you at least one of his sonnets to hold onto if your special someone would appreciate a vintage serenade on Valentine’s Day.
Thus, “Sonnet 40,” the one that begins with “Take all my loves …” is one of the classics of love poetry. However, it’s not so well-known that she’ll recognize it from jokes and media like Sonnet 18 (“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day”). “Sonnet 40” offers the same tried and true Shakespeare classiness without the over-doneness of some of his other poems.
“I Love You” by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
For a more contemporary and conventional way to express affection, try “I Love You” by Wilcox. This poem serves as a simple yet passionate statement of love that doesn’t beat around the Shakespearean linguistic bush. “I love your hair when the strands enmesh/Your kisses against my face.” If she appreciates the direct approach to sharing your feelings, she may prefer the Wilcox.
“[love is more thicker than forget]” by E.E. Cummings
Cummings, master of the stylistic grammatical error, turns one into an expression of deep devotion with “[love is more thicker than forget]”. The love sentiment rings clearer than the purposefully childlike words. It may sound like a riddle or brain teaser, however, childlike whimsy is better at expressing love more than any feeling we have. This poem gives words to people who feel enough love to have trouble coming up with words of their own.
“The Quiet World” by Jeffrey McDaniel
“The Quiet World” sets up a little scenario where the government limits spoken words to 167 per person per day. While the poem is only 125 long, it’s about a man who saves up his words to tell his lover he loves her over and over again. This is a joke poem. Yet, with an emotion as deep as love, a joke can be romantic too.
“The day is gone, and all its sweets are gone!” by John Keats
Few poets can transcribe the particular emotion of longing like John Keats. This is a poem for when you miss her, when you’re Skyping (or writing!) to her and you can’t get her out of her head and need a poet’s help. John Keats is your emergency longing simulator.
The Takeaway for Boyfriends
Love poetry in English might suit a girlfriend telling her boyfriend how she feels. However, we’re guessing that 95% of readers are boys looking for the right poem to impress their lady lovers. We included a mix of centuries and tones to help you find what you need, whether you’re trying to spice up your evening or just tell her how much you miss her.
