Short love poems give you the perfect words to express your love. Dive into a handpicked selection of love poems that are a deeply moving assertion of true deep feelings.
From classic love poems to modern romantic verses, we have curated a collection that will help you convey your feelings in a meaningful way. Whether you are looking for a short love verse, need a Valentine’s poem, or want to make a romantic gesture, these famous poems are a beautiful and timeless way to share your feelings of love.
So, get ready to explore the world of romantic love poems and find the perfect words to make your beloved feel truly cherished.
17 Classic Short Love Poems
Uniquely, classic short love poems also offer a fresh and contemporary take on expressing love. As a result, these poems embrace the essence of love and sentiments, providing a modern twist on age-old themes of love and affection.
So, whether you are looking for famous love poems, poems about marriage, falling in love poems, or just short rhyming love poems, we have a collection you’d enjoy.
For this reason, venture into the realm of romantic poetry to discover innovative ways to convey your love and passion to a very special person in your life.
1. THE PERFECT STILLNESS by Rabia Basri (c. 717-801)
Love is
the perfect stillness
and the greatest excitement, and most profound act,
and the word almost as complete
as His name.
2. THIS CHOIR by Rabia Basri (c. 717-801)
So amazing this choir of
socks, shoes, shirt, skirt, undergarments,
earth, sky, suns, and
moons.
No wonder I too, now,
sing all
day.
3. ONE REGRET by Hafiz (c. 1320-1389)
One regret that I am determined not to have
when I am lying on my
death bed
is that we did not kiss
enough.
4. MY LIPS GOT LOST by Rumi (1207-1273)
My lips got lost on the way to the kiss –
that’s how drunk I
was.
Luckily though I still connected
with the most tender part
of her.
The moon conceived – what
a wild-looking baby
we are going to
have.
5. SOON WE MAY BE KISSING by Kabir (c. 1440-1518)
There is dew
on these poems in the morning,
and at night a cool breeze may rise from them.
In the winter they are blankets, in the summer a place to swim.
I like talking to you like this. Have you moved
a step closer?
Soon we may be
kissing.
6. I GET DIZZY by Mirabai (c. 1498-1550)
I can’t forget about love
for more than two seconds.
I get dizzy if I think about anything
but the way you pant
in my
ear.
7. FRAGILE by Mirabai (c. 1498-1550)
So fragile this petal the earth,
as fragile as
love.
8. LOVE by Samuel Taylor Coleridge 1772–1834
Love is an endless act of forgiveness.
Forgiveness is the key to action and freedom.
9. To Be One with Each Other by George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans) 1819–1880
What greater thing is there for two human souls
than to feel that they are joined for life…
to strengthen each other…
to be at one with each other in silent unspeakable memories.
10. A Red, Red Rose by Robert Burns (1759–1796)
O my Luve is like a red, red rose
That’s newly sprung in June;
O my Luve is like the melody
That’s sweetly played in tune.
11. How Do I Love Thee? by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861)
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.
12. The Clod and the Pebble by William Blake (1757–1827)
Love seeketh not itself to please,
Nor for itself hath any care,
But for another gives its ease,
And builds a Heaven in Hell’s despair.
13. She Walks in Beauty by Lord Byron (1788–1824)
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.
14. Love Is a Fire that Burns Unseen by Luís de Camões (1524–1525)
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.
15. Heart, We Will Forget Him! by Emily Dickinson (1830–1886)
Heart, we will forget him!
You and I, tonight!
You may forget the warmth he gave,
I will forget the light.
16. How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43) by Elizbeth Barrett Browning
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
17. I Loved You by Alexander Pushkin (1799–1837)
I loved you, and I probably still do,
And for a while, the feeling may remain…
But let my love no longer trouble you,
I do not wish to cause you any pain.
I loved you; and the hopelessness I knew,
The jealousy, the shyness—though in vain—
Made up a love so tender and so true
As may God grant you to be loved again.
22 Haiku Love Poems
What is haiku? Usually, classic haiku poetry is composed of seventeen syllables written in a single line. Of course, there are recognizable challenges in translating haiku into English. So, they are often translated into a three-line or two-line poem. Usually, the syllable count follows the original 5-7-5 syllable pattern.
Because haiku are short poems, they are more accessible, sharable, and easy for anyone to remember. Most importantly, they are very deep, memorable, shareable.
In essence, haiku are perfect short poems. A classic haiku answers three questions in consise verses: What? Where? When?
In fact, how do you translate the word haiku? In Japanese hai means “unusual” and ku means “verse.” So, haiku are unusual verses or poetic views of the world that are different from common.
According to George Sansom, haiku are “little drops of poetic essence.” Furthermore, Harold Henderson called them “meditations.” Notably, haiku verse is like a quick snapshot of life that makes you stop and be in the moment.
1. Rainy Cottage by Ikuyo Yoshimura
after lovemaking
the scent of jasmine tea
2. Haiku by Dakotsu Iida
longing to kiss-sip
your round eyes –
autumn mist
3. Haiku by Takeo Nakajima
sharing this pomegranate
with you —
I split it open
4. Haiku by Yoshiko Yoshino
nights of spring –
tides swelling within me
as I’m embraced
5. Haiku by Ippekiro Nakatsuka
stepping around
the moss blossoms —
yearning for someone
7. The Irises by Kiyoko Uda
the irises —
I break off a stem
and go to my love
8. Rose by Sojo Hino
rose fragrance —
our first night
folds into whitening skies
9. Haiku by Nobuko Katsura
in the dark
where you undress
a blooming iris
10. Haiku by Kikuno Inagaki
the fire in my heart
can light
the withered fields
11. Haiku by Shuson Kato
I turn off the light —
my heart a precipice
before the moon
12. Moonflowers by Hisajo Sugita
moonflowers—
the deep folds
begin to open
13. Haiku by Shirome
If only I were sure
I could live as long as desired,
I would not have to weep when parting from you.
Next, there are a few haiku by a beloved haiku master of the 20th century, Suzuki Masajo (1906 – 2003). She was particularly known for her love haiku.
14. by Masajo Suzuki
Shall we die together,
my lover whispers—
evening fireflies
15. by Masajo Suzuki
The nape of his neck
draws me in —
moth to flame
16. by Masajo Suzuki
Longing for love
I place a single strawberry
in my mouth
17. by Masajo Suzuki
Deep inside the kimono
I have hidden his love letter
sun-bathing
18. by Sappho (translation by Michael R. Burch)
Eros harrows my heart:
wild winds whipping desolate mountains,
uprooting oaks.
19. by Sappho (translation by Michael R. Burch)
when you opened
my letter
were you surprised
my heart
fell out?
20. by Sappho (translation by Michael R. Burch)
next door
the lovemaking
subsides
stars fall
from other worlds
21. by Sappho (translation by Michael R. Burch)
an old photo
of my parents
young and happy—
of all the things I own
that is the saddest
22. by Ono no Komachi (translation by Michael R. Burch)
As I slept in isolation
my desired beloved appeared to me;
therefore, dreams have become my reality
and consolation.
16 Love Poems for Her
The list of the most beautiful love poems is not complete without sonnets by Shakespeare. As William Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets published in 1609, many of them speak of love.
Notably, all Shakespearian sonnets have 14 lines and are layered in multiple meanings. Consequently, they express thoughts on love, life, and sometimes, deep grief.
Sometimes, his poetic work is hard to understand as it is written in ‘old English.’ For that reason, many modern poetic interpretations help us read and comprehend these ‘love letters’ by a great master.
1. Sonnet 144: ‘Two Loves I Have’ by Shakespeare
Two loves I have of comfort and despair,
Which like two spirits do suggest me still:
The better angel is a man right fair,
The worser spirit a woman coloured ill.
To win me soon to hell, my female evil,
Tempteth my better angel from my side,
And would corrupt my saint to be a devil,
Wooing his purity with her foul pride.
And whether that my angel be turned fiend,
Suspect I may, yet not directly tell;
But being both from me, both to each friend,
I guess one angel in another’s hell:
Yet this shall I ne’er know, but live in doubt,
Till my bad angel fire my good one out.
2. Sonnet 18 by Shakespeare
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date:
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimm’d;
And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance or nature’s changing course untrimm’d;
But thy eternal summer shall not fade
Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest;
Nor shall Death brag thou wander’st in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou growest:
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this and this gives life to thee.
3. Sonnet 145 by Shakespeare
Those lips that Love’s own hand did make,
Breathed forth the sound that said ‘I hate’,
To me that languished for her sake:
But when she saw my woeful state,
Straight in her heart did mercy come,
Chiding that tongue that ever sweet
Was used in giving gentle doom;
And taught it thus anew to greet;
‘I hate’ she altered with an end,
That followed it as gentle day,
Doth follow night, who like a fiend
From heaven to hell is flown away.
‘I hate’, from hate away she threw,
And saved my life, saying ‘not you’.
Poetry by Atticus
Atticus is a poet who has decided to stay anonymous. However, he is the author of five best-selling books, including The ‘Dark Between Stars’, ‘Love Her Wild’, and ‘LVOE’ and ‘LVOE: Volume II’.
To clarify, after losing his celebrity friend to addiction, Atticus decided to remain anonymous. Where does the pseudonym ‘ATTICUS’ come from? Interestingly, Atticus was inspired by the philosopher ‘Atticus’ as well as the ancient Greek nation of ‘Attica,’ a society of philosophers, artists, and poets.
Sometimes, literary critics wonder if this is poetry you find mostly at the greeting card store or on social media. But in reality, is it a true love ‘sent from the shadows’, as Atticus himself explained to millions of his fans on Instagram? You decide!
4. by Atticus, from ‘Love Her Wild’
It was never the way she looked
always the way she was.
I would have fallen in love with her
with my eyes closed.
5. by ATTICUS (@atticuspoetry)
A piece of her—
all of her maybe—
missed the dark and wild chaos
of their long-forgotten love
6. by ATTICUS (@atticuspoetry)
My love for her was
forever a
constellation
guiding me ever on
through the rocky
roads of life.
7. by ATTICUS (@atticuspoetry)
She made
gentle the
wild oceans
of my soul.
8. ‘We were strange in love’ by ATTICUS (@atticuspoetry)
“We were strange in love
her and I
too wild to last
too rare to die.”
9. ‘I will follow you’ by ATTICUS (@atticuspoetry)
“I will follow you,
my love,
to the edge of all our days,
to our very last
tomorrows.”
10. ‘She was’ by ATTICUS (@atticuspoetry)
“She was forever a work in progress
a painting in the making
and every year gone by
was a brushstroke—
another wrinkle, another scar
a reflection of her long-battled journey—
and though she would never be finished
she was in all ways
perfect now.“
11. by Atticus (@atticuspoetry)
“We spend so much of our lives
worrying about the meaning of it all
maybe the answer is simple
to love and be loved
to find a bit of joy
and to embrace this little journey
wherever it may lead.“
12. Love Song by Rainer Maria Rilke (1875 – 1926)
When my soul touches yours a great chord sings!
How shall I tune it then to other things?
O! That some spot in darkness could be found
That does not vibrate when’er your depth sound.
But everything that touches you and me
Welds us as played strings sound one melody.
Where is the instrument whence the sounds flow?
And whose the master-hand that holds the bow?
O! Sweet song—
13. ‘She Walks in Beauty’ by Lord Byron (1788–1824)
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.
14. Love Sonnet XI by Pablo Neruda
Pablo Neruda is a famous Chilean poet who is celebrated for his passionate romantic poems. Altogether, they explore the complexities of feelings, love, and desire. Love Sonnet XI is no exception and gives the reader an example of a poetic portrayal of passion.
15. ‘Let Thine Eyes Whisper’ by Ameen Rihani
Grieve not, for I am near thee;
Sigh not, for I can hear thee;
Wash from thy heart all memory of past wrong;
Doubt not that doubts besmear thee;
Speak not, for I do fear thee;
Let thine eyes whisper love’s conciling song.
16. Amores (II) by E.E. Cummings
in the rain-
darkness, the sunset
being sheathed i sit and
think of you
the holy
city which is your face
your little cheeks the streets
of smiles
your eyes half-thrush
half-angel and your drowsy
lips where float flowers of kiss
and
there is the sweet shy pirouette
your hair
and then
your dancesong
soul. rarely-beloved
a single star is
uttered, and i
think
of you
15 Most Beautiful Love Poems for Him
Unique best poems can add a touch of thoughtfulness and sentimentality while conveying sweet emotion. Whether it’s an anniversary, a birthday, or just a spontaneous gesture of love, show the depth of your love with short love poetry.
1. Serenade by Djuna Barnes (1892 – 1982)
Three paces down the shore, low sounds the lute,
The better that my longing you may know;
I’m not asking you to come,
But—can’t you go?
Three words, “I love you,” and the whole is said—
The greatness of it throbs from sun to sun;
I’m not asking you to walk,
But—can’t you run?
Three paces in the moonlight’s glow I stand,
And here within the twilight beats my heart.
I’m not asking you to finish,
But—to start.
2. ‘Love’ by Elizbeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861)
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
3. “I Loved You First” by Christina Rossetti (1830–1894)
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;
I loved and guessed at you, you construed me
And loved me for what might or might not be –
Nay, weights and measures do us both a wrong.
For verily love knows not ‘mine’ or ‘thine;’
With separate ‘I’ and ‘thou’ free love has done,
For one is both and both are one in love:
Rich love knows nought of ‘thine that is not mine;’
Both have the strength and both the length thereof,
Both of us, of the love which makes us one.
4. ‘Thank you’ by Alison A. Malee
Thank you for loving me
through rain, through growth,
through change.
Thank you for loving me, still.
5. I ADMIT, IT IS COMPLICATED by Alison A. Malee
But love can be
as simple as grabbing
their packages from the
porch before it rains.
6. ‘To My Dear and Loving Husband‘ by Anne Bradstreet (1612–1672)
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.
7. ‘To Be In Love‘ by Gwendolyn Brooks (1917–2000)
To be in love
Is to touch with a lighter hand.
In yourself you stretch, you are well.
You look at things
Through his eyes.
A cardinal is red.
A sky is blue.
Suddenly you know he knows too.
…
Emily Dickinson is one of the most prominent poets of the nineteenth century. Altogether, her poetic heritage consists of nearly 2,000 poems dedicated to every aspect of life, death, nature, and love.
Short love poems by Dickinson are considered the best love lyrics ever written. Usually, these most famous love poems are written in the form of a brief conversation between two people. Explore her work to see if you can find your favorite beautiful short love poem worthy of sharing.
Ultimately, if you are searching for short rhyming poems about love, Emily Dickinson’s work will provide you with examples of big romantic messages in clever poetic metaphors.
8. ‘You Left Me’ by Emily Dickinson (1830–1886)
You left me – Sire – two Legacies –
A Legacy of Love
A Heavenly Father would suffice
Had He the offer of –
You left me Boundaries of Pain –
Capacious as the Sea –
Between Eternity and Time –
Your Consciousness – and me –
9. “Why do I love” You, Sir? by Emily Dickinson
Because –
The Wind does not require the Grass
To answer – Wherefore when He pass
She cannot keep Her place.
10. “If you were coming in the Fall” by Emily Dickinson
If you were coming in the fall,
I’d brush the summer by
With half a smile and half a spurn,
As housewives do, a fly.
If I could see you in a year,
I’d wind the months in balls,
And put them each in separate drawers,
Until their time befalls.
If only centuries delayed,
I’d count them on my hand,
Subtracting, til my fingers dropped
Into Van Diemen’s Land.
If certain, when this life was out,
That yours and mine should be,
I’d toss it yonder like a rind,
And take Eternity-
But, now, uncertain of the length
Of this, that is between,
It goads me, like the Goblin Bee,
That will not state its sting.
11. ‘My River Runs to Thee’ by Emily Dickinson
My River runs to thee –
Blue Sea – Wilt welcome me?
My River wait reply.
Oh Sea – look graciously.
I’ll fetch thee brooks
From spotted nooks.
Say, sea,
Take me!
12. ‘I cannot live with You – ’ by Emily Dickinson
I cannot live with You –
It would be Life –
And Life is over there –
Behind the Shelf
The Sexton keeps the Key to –
Putting up
Our Life – His Porcelain –
Like a Cup –
13. ‘They Put Us Far Apart’ by Emily Dickinson
They put Us far apart—
As separate as Sea
And Her unsown Peninsula—
We signified “These see”—
14. ‘I should not dare to leave my friend’ by Emily Dickinson
I should not dare to leave my friend,
Because—because if he should die
While I was gone—and I—too late—
Should reach the Heart that wanted me—
15. ‘Rainy Season Love Song‘ by Gladys May Casely-Hayford
The thunder rumbles about us, and I feel its triumphant note
As your warm arms steal around me; and I kiss your dusky throat;
The thunder’s in love with you darling. It hides its power in your breast.
And I feel it stealing o’er me as I lie in your arms at rest.
I sometimes wonder, beloved, when I drink from life’s proffered bowl,
Whether there’s thunder hidden in the innermost parts of your soul.
In Conclusion
After exploring these unique poems, you can easily bring them to life with our printable versions and iPhone wallpapers. With just a few clicks, you can have these heartfelt verses at your fingertips, ready to be shared with your loved one.
DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE VERSIONS OF SHORT LOVE POEMS
So whether you prefer to frame a printed poem as a gift or set a romantic wallpaper on your phone, these options give you the flexibility to express your love. Let these poems inspire you to create lasting memories and strengthen the bond you share in the overwhelming modern life.
In a world where expressions of love often get lost in the noise, these short and sweet romantic poems stand out as timeless ways to convey your deepest emotions. From classic love verses to modern romantic lines, there is something for every occasion and sentiment.
Looking for more printables? Check out these:
By downloading printable versions or iPhone wallpapers, you can easily incorporate these poems into your daily life and keep the flames of love burning bright. So, whether you’re celebrating a special milestone or simply want to remind someone of your affection, let these poems be your guide in the language of love.
After all, as Robert Frost once said, “Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired.“
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