Famous Love Poetry has some of the most popular love poetry written.

Ara John Movsesian'sfamous love poetry, One Way Love starts us off. Born on June 16,1949, He is one of the better known contemporary love poets. As the title implies, it is on the well worn topic of unrequited love:

One Way Love

by Ara John Movsesian

A one way love can never thrive;

It needs reciprocation.

And so in order to survive

My love needs affirmation.

So throw your caution to the sky,

And let your heart command.

You'll find that it will not deny

A love which must expand.

Come now, to me, with open arms

And sweep me off my feet;

And then display for me your charms,

To make my love complete.

My one way love will terminate

Without your inspiration.

So, therefore, please reciprocate

With no more hesitation.

From modern famous love poetry, to medieval famous love poetry. John Wilbye (1574 - 1638) contributes the next offering. He was famous for his madrigals. The madrigal was quite popular in 16th and 17th century Europe as a short medieval poem, usually love poetry suitable for being set to music.

Wilbye published 2 sets of madrigals, both containing 64 poems between 1598 and 1609, and Love not me for comely grace is probably the best known:

Love Not Me

John Wilbye

Love not me for comely grace,

For my pleasing eye or face,

Nor for any outward part:

No, nor for a constant heart!

For these may fail or turn to ill:

Should thou and I sever.

Keep, therefore, a true woman's eye,

And love me still, but know not why!

So hast thou the same reason still

To dote upon me ever.

Carl Sandburg 1878-1967, was a poet and writer from Chicago, Illinois. He won two pullitzer prizes in 1940 and 1951. Here are two of his famous love poetry:

Maybe

Maybe he believes me, maybe not.

Maybe I can marry him, maybe not.

Maybe the wind on the prairie,

The wind on the sea, maybe,

Somebody, somewhere, maybe can tell.

I will lay my head on his shoulder

And when he asks me I will say yes,

Maybe.

Gone

by Carl Sandburg

Everybody loved Chick Lorimer in our town, Far off

Everybody loved her.

So we all love a wild girl keeping a hold

On a dream she wants.

Nobody knows now where Chick Lorimer went.

Nobody knows why she packed her trunk.

A few old things... and is gone.

One with her little chin

Thrust ahead of her

And her soft hair blowing careless

From under a wide hat,

Dancer, singer, a laughing passionate lover.

Were there ten men or a hundred hunting Chick?

Were there five men or fifty with aching hearts?

Everybody loved Chick Lorimer.

Nobody knows where she's gone.

Leigh Hunt (1784-1859), was an English Romantic poet. His poem "Abou Ben Adhem" is still for me, one of the most spiritually inspiring poetry ever. Jenny Kissed Me is his contribution to famous love poetry:

Jenny Kissed Me

- by Leigh Hunt

Jenny kissed me when we met,

Jumping from the chair she sat in;

Time, you thief, who love to get

Sweets into your list, put that in:

Say I'm weary, say I'm sad,

Say that health and wealth have missed me,

Say I'm growing old, but add,

Jenny kissed me.

Examples 8

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

If you like Famous Love Poetry and would like to receive more information directly in your inbox, subscribe to my Love Poetry of The World newsletter

Return from Famous Love Poetry to Love Poetry of The World