Love, Desire and Parting
Explore how poems shape attraction, fidelity, loss, farewell, and changing promises in intimate relationships.
31 items
When we Two parted
Recalling a parting marked by silence, tears and a cold kiss, the speaker links that chill to present shame at the other's broken vows and gossiped name, and imagines that any future meeting would repeat the same silence and tears.
Poetry · PoemFor Music
The speaker tells the addressee that their voice works like music over water, holding the waves still and the winds dreaming, so that the listening spirit bows in adoration while the midnight moon lies on a gently breathing sea.
Poetry · PoemThe Indian Serenade
Waking from dreams of the beloved in the first sleep of night, the speaker is carried by some spirit to her chamber window, and after listening to the faint airs and the nightingale he collapses, begging to be lifted, kissed and pressed to her heart.
Poetry · PoemFrom the Arabic
The speaker's spirit, sitting in the light of the beloved's looks, is left behind when a swift horse carries the beloved away, and he sends his heart—faster than storm or steed—to keep company through battle, darkness and need without claiming one smile in return.
Poetry · PoemLines
Starting from a shattered lamp, a scattered cloud and a broken lute, the poem argues that when hearts have once mingled love leaves first and the weaker one is left to endure alone, and asks why Love makes the frailest thing its cradle, home and bier.
Poetry · PoemWRONG not, sweet empress of my heart
The speaker asks his lady not to assume that a lover who sues for no compassion feels no pain, argues that silence in love shows more woe than witty speech, and returns to the opening plea.
Poetry · PoemA Birthday
The speaker likens a heart at the coming of love to a singing bird, a fruit-laden apple tree and a rainbow shell on a calm sea, then calls for a dais worked in silk, gold, doves and pomegranates because this day is the birthday of a life.