There are so many love poems written by men for their lady love that it is hard to tell which one is better. Every love poem has a distinct flavor of romanticism. The long hours or days of thought process makes a love poem best. Not only that, but the emotions intricately placed in the lines also reflect the poet’s love for his beloved. Each love is unique on the planet where the love birds rule.
Let’s quickly dive into the worlds of love, the greatest poets of all time created in their amazing poems for “her”.
Best Love Poems for Her
Sonnet 116: Let me not to the marriage of true minds by William Shakespeare
The top spot on our list of “best poems for her” is ruled by William Shakespeare’s sonnet ‘Let me not to the marriage of true minds’. This amazing sonnet talks about the nature of love. According to Shakespeare,
… Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove.
It’s much more than that. The love between two true souls remains constant no matter what comes in their way. “Love’s not Time’s fool”. And Shakespeare was not wrong about his conception of love. This poem was dedicated to the “dark lady” in Shakespeare’s sonnets.
La Belle Dame Sans Merci by John Keats
In our “best poems for her” list, John Keats’ famous poem ‘La Belle Dame Sans Merci’, comes at the second spot. The title ‘La Belle Dame Sans Merci’ means “the beautiful lady without pity”. From the meaning of the title, it becomes clear that our John Keats is a disheartened lover. He is not disheartened for loving the beautiful lady. His dissatisfaction lies in the rejection of his love. Still, he finds it reasonable to dedicate a ballad for his lady love. If it would cheer her up again, our sad poet would also get some love in return!
She found me roots of relish sweet,
And honey wild, and manna-dew,
And sure in language strange she said—
‘I love thee true’.
A Red, Red Rose by Robert Burns
‘A Red, Red Rose’ by Robert Burns is a poem quoted very often while writing. In our list of “best poems for her”, it holds a position for the innovative images used in the poem. In the study of imagery, this poem by Burns is used to show what imagery should look like in poetry. The poet also uses some beautiful metaphors and similes in the poem to make his feelings about the lady more appealing and gracious. He belonged to an age when love had a unique grace. Burns’ poem reflects that in every sense. The last stanza of the poem needs a special mention here.
And fare thee weel, my only luve!
And fare thee weel awhile!
And I will come again, my luve,
Though it were ten thousand mile.
She Walks in Beauty by Lord Byron
In our list of “best poems for her”, Lord Byron’s ‘She Walks in Beauty’ is a very special one. It does not talk about passionate sexual love. There is a tone of pure love in the poem. In this poem, Lord Byron praises her artful moves and her physical radiance. There is a heavenly seeking in the voice of the poetic persona. He glorifies the lady in the way that she seems a goddess to the readers. The first few lines of the poem reflect her beautiful image in the poet’s mind.
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;
To His Coy Mistress by Andrew Marvell
How can we miss Andrew Marvell’s ‘To His Coy Mistress’ in our list of “best poems for her”! Those who have ever wandered in the roads of Restoration literature, have definitely read Marvell’s ‘To His Coy Mistress’. This poem presents the theme of “carpe diem” in an amazing manner. The poetic persona or the poet himself urges his lady love to make love with him. He is not that kind of a fool who openly asks anyone’s hand. His beloved is the only one he wants to make love with but in the poem, she is depicted as a “coy” and reserved lady. That’s why the poet tells his lady love,
Now therefore, while the youthful hue
Sits on thy skin like morning dew,
And while thy willing soul transpires
At every pore with instant fires,
Now let us sport us while we may,
And now, like amorous birds of prey
If she accepts his proposal of making love, they can make the most of the little youthful hours they had. The poet’s passion was too much!
But, in ‘The Definition of Love’, Andrew Marvell says the opposite.
The Good-Morrow by John Donne
‘The Good Morrow’ by John Donne is written for the poet’s newly married wife Anne More. In this famous metaphysical poem, John Donne presents his desire to continue his lovemaking all day long. He doesn’t have any interest in worldly affairs as he has something heavenly by his side, resting like a kingdom or a paradise! The “good-morrow” is for the commoners not for the lovers in the poem.
My face in thine eye, thine in mine appears,
And true plain hearts do in the faces rest;
Where can we find two better hemispheres,
Without sharp north, without declining west?
Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe
‘Annabel Lee’ by Edgar Allan Poe is counted as one of the “best poems for her”. The poet writes it like a children’s story. His feelings for Annabel Lee gets reflected in every line of the poem. The tragic ending of the poem definitely breaks many hearts. Still, it’s an all-time favorite poem about a poet talking about innocent love in his early days.
It was many and many a year ago,
In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of Annabel Lee;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me.
The Passionate Shepherd to His Love by Christopher Marlowe
‘The Passionate Shepherd to His Love’ by Christopher Marlowe is a beautiful pastoral poem on our “best poems for her” list. The learned imagery and the use of pastoral symbols make this poem more interesting while reading. The first two lines of the poem are very famous and quoted often. In brief, through this poem, the poetic persona invites his lady love to live with him.
Come live with me and be my love,
And we will all the pleasures prove,
(…)
If these delights thy mind may move,
Then live with me, and be my love.
Song: To Celia by Ben Jonson
On our list of “best poems for her”, ‘Song: to Celia’ by Ben Jonson is a poem focusing on the poet’s feelings for his beloved. There is a craving in the poet’s heart for the lady he loved. From the beginning of the poem, the poet makes it clear how much he needs her in his life.
Drink to me only with thine eyes,
And I will pledge with mine;
Or leave a kiss but in the cup,
And I’ll not look for wine.
Meeting at Night by Robert Browning
‘Meeting at Night’ by Robert Browning is a special poem on our “best poems for her” list. It talks about the poetic persona’s arduous journey to meet his lady love. The poem takes readers to a different level of imagination. Here the poet says much more just in a few words like the last four lines of the poem.
A tap at the pane, the quick sharp scratch
And blue spurt of a lighted match,
And a voice less loud, thro’ its joys and fears,
Than the two hearts beating each to each!
Isn’t it a special poem? Albeit, it is! The “tap” of the poet gets a reply of a “lighted match”. Think about how deep the connection was between the souls!
