The best poems about pining away for love selected by Dr Oliver Tearle
‘Love’ and ‘poetry’ go together to form a natural pair, but as Shakespeare pointed out, the course of true love never did run smooth. Sometimes the greatest lovers are those who pine away, hopelessly devoted to someone who will never return their affections. From the medieval courtly love tradition onwards, poets have been treating the subject of unrequited love. Here are ten of the best poems about love that is not reciprocated…
With how sad steps, O moon, thou climb’st the skies;
How silently, and with how wan a face.
What, may it be that even in heavenly place
That busy archer his sharp arrows tries?
Sure, if that long-with-love-acquainted eyes
Can judge of love, thou feel’st a lover’s case;
I read it in thy looks; thy languished grace
To me, that feel the like, thy state descries …
This poem, Sonnet 31 from Sidney’s sonnet sequence Astrophil and Stella, is a great Elizabethan poem about hopeless love (Stella, the object of Astrophil’s affections, is married to another man), although the sonnet appears to teeter on the edge of self-parody.
Farewell! thou art too dear for my possessing,
And like enough thou know’st thy estimate,
The charter of thy worth gives thee releasing;
My bonds in thee are all determinate.
For how do I hold thee but by thy granting?
And for that riches where is my deserving?
The cause of this fair gift in me is wanting,
And so my patent back again is swerving …
This is probably Shakespeare’s greatest poem about unrequited love – and we think it qualifies as an ‘unrequited love poem’ because, although the poet and the Fair Youth appear to have been in a relationship of sorts, with the younger man reciprocating the Bard’s affections, it’s clear Shakespeare feels that the Fair Youth is out of his league and doesn’t really love the poet the way he loves him.
I loved thee, though I told thee not,
Right earlily and long,
Thou wert my joy in every spot,
My theme in every song …
This poem by an often-overlooked voice in Romantic poetry, John Clare (1793-1864), strikes to the heart of what many of us have felt at some time in our lives: having kept his love of somebody a secret, the poet is doomed to transfer or deflect that love onto other people who remind him of his first, true love. Not so much a lost love as a love never had, this one – but poignant and affecting nevertheless.
You say you love; but with a voice
Chaster than a nun’s, who singeth
The soft Vespers to herself
While the chime-bell ringeth –
O love me truly!
This isn’t one of Keats’s best-known poems, but it’s his finest statement of unrequited love (something Keats knew all about, thanks to his unreciprocated feelings for Fanny Brawne). Although the addressee of this poem tells the poet she loves him, he doubts the sincerity of her words. The refrain, ‘O love me truly!’, becomes more and more despairing – and desperate – as the poem develops.
With blackest moss the flower-plots
Were thickly crusted, one and all:
The rusted nails fell from the knots
That held the pear to the gable-wall.
The broken sheds look’d sad and strange:
Weeded and worn the ancient thatch
Upon the lonely moated grange …
This early poem, published in 1830, ‘arose to the music of Shakespeare’s words’ (according to Tennyson) – the words in question being taken from Measure for Measure, in which ‘the dejected Mariana’ dwells ‘at the moated grange’, having been forsaken by Angelo, who promised to marry her but then broke his promise. The imagery of the poem is vivid and memorable, from the ‘mouse’ that ‘behind the mouldering wainscot shriek’d’ or the ‘blue fly’ that ‘sung in the pane’. It is perhaps Tennyson’s first great success as a poet, written when he was only just into his twenties. The recurring refrain, ‘He cometh not’, and ‘He will not come’, highlights Mariana’s status as a victim of unrequited love.
Because I liked you better
Than suits a man to say,
It irked you, and I promised
To throw the thought away.
To put the world between us
We parted, stiff and dry;
‘Good-bye,’ said you, ‘forget me.’
‘I will, no fear’, said I …
Housman didn’t publish this poem in his lifetime, perhaps because the second line, ‘Than suits a man to say’, hinted at Housman’s homosexuality. However, we think it’s one of the greatest poems about unrequited love ever written, and about promising to abide by the loved one’s wish that the lover put them out of mind. Part of its power comes, perhaps, from the fact that we know the speaker never did forget the one they so hopelessly loved: Housman certainly didn’t until his dying day in 1936.
Never give all the heart, for love
Will hardly seem worth thinking of
To passionate women if it seem
Certain, and they never dream
That it fades out from kiss to kiss …
So begins this Yeats poem. As the title of the poem makes clear, Yeats offers the would-be lover some advice: don’t dive headlong into love or infatuation, for your beloved won’t thank you for it. It’s best to keep a little passion back: ‘He that made this knows all the cost, / For he gave all his heart and lost.’
• henrywood
“Because I Liked You Better”
Oh, how the dead heart-fire stirs and spontaneously combusts when I read those words even after over 30 years of laying as cold ashes.
I did like him better than suits a man to say. And the day that I said it I could have bitten off my tongue though it was then far too late.
We later parted, not quite stiff and dry, but with a hug which he tried to keep formal, though I hungrily hugged him and hugged him because I knew it was the very last time ever …
His actual words *were* exactly the same, “Good-bye, forget me.”
I said nothing in reply, though I think I did nod in agreement.
And not a tear fell until he closed the hospital ward door behind him.
Short Love Poems
Express your affection by sharing these short love poems with someone you hold dear. Share them with someone that you care about and think the world of. Never take relationships for granted, always let the other person know how you feel; express your affection and appreciation to the one you love; sending or giving them a poem is a great way to express your thankfulness and appreciation for them being a part of your life! You will find lyrics for him and for her.Related Poems:
Is It Enough?
Most people suffer from broken relationships where the partners part ways to never see each other again. But then there are those who are still together but the spark has faded and they see their relationship dying a slow death, one accompanied by one too many ‘love hurts poems' and adjunct dead references to the love once had, now lost.
Forever We Said
We get into relationships with the hope of being together forever till our last breaths, but sometimes the love fades away and the passion vanishes leaving us with a million questions about what went wrong, and a penchant for googling ‘love hurts poems'.
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To The One I Love
There are times when we are unwilling to give up on the relationship even though we know that the one we love doesn’t feel the same way any more. We are willing to wait forever just with the hope of getting back together.
Nothing Left To Lose
There comes a phase when you realize you have lost all that you ever cared for and you have arrived at a point where there is nothing else left to lose. You feel that the part your life once revolved around is gone and that your life has come to a standstill; love hurts poems or otherwise.
Over For Now
Sometimes we have to move to get on with our lives but somewhere deep in our heart we hold on to the hope that our partner may change his/her mind and come back to us. We mask our pain with a “painted” smile while still looking out for the return of the one we long for.
I Will Wait Forever
Waiting for the one you love can never be time wasted. You hold on to the memories of the one you love and live each day thinking about how happy you were and could be if they returned. But sometimes isn’t it better to just move on into the next phase of life?
I Cry
There is always that time when you have just decided to part ways when you don’t understand what happened and why it happened. You question each moment and whether there was ever a real moment in the time when you were together. You read ‘love hurts poems', sing along to ‘the end songs' and ‘I'm sad' dialogues, dissecting every moment you spent together the whole time.
In A Daze
Life is happy like a blossomed flower when you’re in love but when you lose that person you feel like you’re lost without a cause. Every realization of your ended love brings a sinking feeling like a weight pulling you down.
Hurt And Pain
This poem beautifully speaks of the various emotions that one feels in a relationship and when it all comes to an end. But it also speaks of how one must be strong enough to think of it like a lesson and move on.
Every relationship has its ups and downs and is filled with emotions. But when things come crashing down, we are often at a loss of words and fail to express what our true feelings are. We hope these poems help you get your thoughts across in some way.
Ah, love is in the crisp, February air, and what a great muse it can be! Whether we are in a relationship or single, love can color our days in such beautiful ways. It can inspire our work as we make sense of our heartbreaks, dedicate words to those we love, or create new love stories through our works.
Love poems can be romantic or they can honor a friendship or other relationship. The power of love trickles into the cracks of our hearts to heal us and teach us about the world around us. While you ponder the immensity of this topic, here are some prompts to help get you started with your next great poem.
• Write a poem about a couple you admire.
• Red is often associated with love. Pick a different color and write a poem about its association with love.
• Write about your favorite qualities in a mate.
• Write about a relationship that ended, but you are grateful it did. What did you learn?
• Describe your ideal Valentine’s Day date night.
• Get creative. What is a Valentine’s Day gift you could give your love that isn’t flowers or chocolate?
• How does the person you love encompass what love means to you?
• If you haven’t met your love yet, write a letter to that person and tell them how excited you are to meet them someday. This could be fun to look at later.
• Write a haiku to give to your valentine. This can be a valentine for a friend, too. Let someone know they are loved and seen this holiday!
• Use the words “heart,” “soul mate,” and “flower” in a poem
• Describe your favorite things about a person that others may not notice.
• Write a letter to yourself acknowledging all the ways you’ve grown from past relationships. How has it strengthened the relationship you have with yourself?
• Create a “meet-cute” for two characters in a poem and write about it. ( A “meet-cute” is a charming story about how two people met and ultimately fell in love. Think rom-com!)
• They say opposites attract. Do you find that true in love? Write about your thoughts.
• Write a poem about two people who find their way back to each other after several years.
• Distance has a huge impact on relationships. Write about conquering the distance.
• Think about a couple who has been together through several trials and hardships. Write about enduring love and what you’ve observed about their relationship as an outsider.
• What is love? (Baby, don’t hurt me. Don’t hurt me. No more. Sorry for the Haddaway song reference.) But, truly, how would you define it?
• What is NOT love? Think about some things that are sometimes mistaken for love, and write about it.
• What is your favorite love song or movie? Let it inspire you to write something of your own.
• What is romance to you? Write about it in a haiku.
• Write a poem using the words “new,” “rain,” “card,” and “chance.”
• What is the best way to immortalize love? A poem? A love song? A life of devotion? Write about your thoughts.
• How has love changed your life or made a hard time feel hopeful? This can be romantic love or a friendship.
• Write about an unexpected bond between two people.
• Create a poem about two hearts you see at a gallery. One is in pristine shape. The other has been broken and glued back together, seemingly several times. Which is more beautiful? Why?
• Write a poem and dedicate it to someone special in your life. Tell them how much they mean to you.
• How can someone love you well? Write a poem about what that would look like for you.
• Think of the concept of “falling in” and “falling out” of love. What are your thoughts on this?
• Think of an ordinary moment that was magical because of the love you felt. Describe the memory or create a story about it.
What can I write for my crush to show him that I have feelings for him?
Write to him exactly how you feel and say exactly what you mean, no beating around the bush and hidden meanings, as you want to leave no doubt about your feelings. Use strong verbs such as need, want, love and desire.
How do I build up the courage to give it to him?
Try to be confident. You don't have to give it directly to him, maybe just put it in a place that you know he will find it.
What do I do if I still don't know how to write my feelings on paper because what if he doesn't feel the same about me?
Just say what is on your mind and if he doesn't feel the same, just say can we forget about it and can we still be friends? If he is a good friend he will understand and if not, you're well rid of someone who isn't kind at heart.
What should I do if I'm anxious about writing a poem?
Just write it, ask a trusted friend to read it and see what they think, then if they think it's fine you can give it.
I'm married with children. What kind of love poem should I write for my partner?
Poemwriter
Write a poem about your story. Write about your ups and downs and all your accomplishments together. Make it a family affair and ask your kids for help.
I'm into poetry. I had a girlfriend who left me, what can I write?
Write a poem telling her all the things you loved about her and find extraordinary in her. Tell her that she was your sun, your moon and your stars and that without her, the light has all but gone. Tell her that she is your tree of strength, your moonbeam of beauty and your rock of all ages. Ask that she reconsider leaving you and return to be by your side. Then pluck up the courage to send it to her or go and read it to her in person.
I have feelings for my best friend's friend and he has a girlfriend, and I don't think he has feelings for me. What do I do?
You should probably keep it to yourself until they break up, if they do. Then, if you feel confident, tell him how you feel. But if their relationship still seems to be going strong after a long time, it would be best to just accept it and try to move on.
How do I write a poem to a man that I feel I'm losing?
Focus your poem on all the great times you had with him. Describe a blissful future together, and how you are looking forward to the journey there with him.
How do I know if my poem came out alright?
It will reflect how you feel, without sounding to much like just a normal sentence. Have people read it and give you their feedback.
How do I know if I should write a love poem to my crush?
You just have to feel the power of your love to write a poem.
I am in love,
With someone who doesn’t exist,
I could tell,
From the way she disappears like mist,
The day she fell,
I could tell she would be missed,
I curled up in my shell,
For the first day of many, I wouldn’t be kissed.
I am in love,
With someone whose fate I cannot twist,
I am forever trapped in a cell,
Forever holding clenched fists,
Then I fall,
I roll into a ball,
Funny, how a man so tall,
Upon losing himself, can feel so small.
I am in love,
With someone, whose name I utter,
But never hear back,
With someone, whose radiance fluttered,
Whose loveliness never lacked,
Whose heart danced in time with mine,
Whose heart ached when I wasn’t fine,
Whose heart gave up,
And we ran out of time.
I am in love,
With someone who loved me too much,
Sitting together, watching the rain,
Holding hands, no longer in pain,
Whispering to each other,
How we wished if this could stay the same,
Sleeping together, breathing the same air,
Sharing blankets, nothing but care,
Whispering to each other,
How things were just so fair,
Arm in arm, walking down the roads at night,
Not a street light in sight,
Not a soul in sight,
All the shops were closed for the night,
The stars lit up our way back, they were bright,
Whispering to each other,
How perfect we were together.
I am in love,
With someone who just wanted to be mine,
And I, wanting to be hers.
I put on my best suit,
She put on her best gown,
We slid rings onto our fingers,
We shared a kiss,
In everybody’s cheers, we drowned,
I am in love,
With someone who made my days sufferable,
Who made my mornings brighter than ever imaginable,
For her eyes were the first thing that I saw,
When I woke up, from the unimaginable,
“Rise and shine,” she whispers, nudging her forehead softly with mine,
“Alright, alright,” I say, quite loud,
For she quickly put a finger to my mouth,
“You’ll wake the baby,” she whispered, softly and yet sternly,
Pointing to the cradle beside me,
“Right; the baby,” I say, nearly forgetting I was a father, nearly,
The mornings were bleak,
The job was boring,
The colleagues were rude,
The boss, always causing a feud,
I missed her already,
And it hadn’t even struck noon,
Finally, the hours rolled by, and I was home,
Where I knew, she’d be there, waiting patiently.
“How was your day?” She asks with a smile,
She asked with such enthusiasm,
“It was alright,” I said, trying to hide the pain,
She sensed my voice in vain,
“Oh, sweetie.” She said, taking my hand in hers,
She spoke four words,
And I took it to heart,
“It’s gonna be okay.”
The pain in me stopped.
I am in love,
With someone who I grew old with,
Her hair, once chestnut brown,
Was beginning to whiten, by now,
Her cheeks, once bubbly and full of blushes,
Was now beginning to sink,
Her skin, once soft and smooth,
Now wrinkly,
Distant was our youth,
By now, we sat at the far ends of the dining table,
Too busy watching our grandchildren bounce around, able,
Too busy watching our children go on about their fables,
But it’d be a lie if I didn’t say,
We always took a moment to glance at each other's way,
Even if she was old,
Even if her hair was grey,
Her smile was still as bright as it was back in the day,
We wished we could glance at each other, all day.
I am in love,
With someone who lies beneath the Earth,
Whose grave I stand upon,
Who knew her time would come along,
The days grew darker,
Her breaths became shorter,
The grip in her hands, ever looser,
For one moment, she was with me,
The next, we were never meant to be.
I am in love,
With someone who doesn’t exist,
Yet I know for certain,
I needn’t be told,
My love for her, will never fold,
I’ll seek warmth from the bitter cold,
And,
She’ll always exist in my world.