Famous Love Poem

Ella Wheeler Wilcox was an American author and poet who lived from 1850-1919. Her goal was to write pieces that lifted people’s spirits. In this poem, she writes of the great expectation of falling in love--that it will be an earth shattering moment, but the girl she writes about finds that she has fallen in love with someone who has always been by her side and is considered a close friend. That love has stood the test of time. This poem is made up of quatrains, four-line stanzas, that have a rhyme scheme of ABCB. The structure is also very intentional. The first two lines of each stanza show what the speaker hopes for when it comes to love, and the second two lines of each stanza reveal her reality.

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I had an old book of EWW poems when I was young that had belonged to my Grandmother, who was born in 1904, given to her by my Grandfather. Reading them brings back some memories. I didn't...

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Famous Poem

Love's Coming

Ella Wheeler Wilcox By more Ella Wheeler Wilcox

She had looked for his coming as warriors come,
With the clash of arms and the bugle's call;
But he came instead with a stealthy tread,
Which she did not hear at all.

She had thought how his armor would blaze in the sun,
As he rode like a prince to claim his bride:
In the sweet dim light of the falling night
She found him at her side.

She had dreamed how the gaze of his strange, bold eye
Would wake her heart to a sudden glow:
She found in his face the familiar grace
Of a friend she used to know.

She had dreamed how his coming would stir her soul,
As the ocean is stirred by the wild storm's strife:
He brought her the balm of a heavenly calm,
And a peace which crowned her life.

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Has this poem touched you? Share your story!
  • Teresa Salcedo by Teresa Salcedo
  • 1 year ago

Smoldering. Lingering. Solid.
This describes a love that is forever.
Classic, indeed.

  • Virginia N. Pritts by Virginia N. Pritts
  • 2 years ago

I've grown quite a liking to this poem. It's both enjoyable and inspiring in any time period. This poem is truly a classic.

  • Maz by Maz
  • 7 years ago

I had an old book of EWW poems when I was young that had belonged to my Grandmother, who was born in 1904, given to her by my Grandfather. Reading them brings back some memories. I didn't know she was so popular, and now that I'm much older, it makes me realize what a romantic my Grandfather must have been!

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