Teen Love Poems

A Surprising Choice for a Teen Love Poem

When you think of a teen love poem, you might think of something very contemporary. And there are certainly some wonderful poems by modern poets that fit this bill. You can find works by e.e. cummings, Rita Dove, and others that will use modern free verse and include the romantic and passionate sentiment that teens want to communicate. In fact, there are even some song lyrics from contemporary artists that would work well as love poems from one teen to another. However, there is one classic poem that is a teen favorite:

Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms
By Thomas Moore

Believe me, if all those endearing young charms,
Which I gaze on so fondly today,
Were to change by tomorrow, and fleet in my arms,
Like fairy-gifts fading away,
Thou wouldst still be adored, as this moment thou art,
Let thy loveliness fade as it will,
And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart
Would entwine itself verdantly still.

It is not while beauty and youth are thine own,
And thy cheeks unprofaned by a tear
That the fervor and faith of a soul can be known,
To which time will but make thee more dear;
No, the heart that has truly loved never forgets,
But as truly loves on to the close,
As the sunflower turns on her god, when he sets,
The same look which she turned when he rose.

Although this is very classically composed poem, with octet stanzas and a very traditional rhyme scheme, it is perfect for expressing teenage love. The appeal of this poem to teens is especially strong for teen girls. To hear that her teenage lover will continue to find her beautiful as she ages is very romantic.

This poem expresses a love that is beyond physical attraction and momentary infatuation. The poet speaks of love that originates from the heart and describes the heart as something that never forgets the original appearance of the beloved. When a teenager gives this to his loved one, he is communicating a deep and soulful love that will last.