15+ Significant Marriage Poems

(15 to start, 100+ to explore)

These heartfelt poems celebrate the union of two souls in love, navigating the journey of matrimony. They speak of the joys and challenges of building a life together, the growth of love over time, and the beauty of shared experiences.

These verses capture the essence of commitment, trust, and companionship, painting a portrait of the intricate tapestry woven by two hearts. Poets use powerful metaphors and tender imagery to convey the depth of emotions, making these poems a celebration of the eternal bond formed through marriage.

Poems about Marriage Visual Representation

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The Difficulty that is Marriage

by Paul Durcan

Durcan’s ‘The Difficulty that is Marriage’ explores love’s complexity in a candid ode to enduring partnership and acceptance of flaws.

This poem is one of the best about marriage and uses straightforward and clear language to convey the poet’s optimistic mood about marriage. It takes the form of a sonnet that is dedicated to the speaker’s partner and their long-lasting marriage. He professes his love for this person and how he believes that he could live forever if he was with this person.

We disagree to disagree, we divide, we differ;

Yet each night as I lie in bed beside you

And you are faraway curled up in sleep

I array the moonlit ceiling with a mosaic of question-marks;

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"> 98/100

To My Dear and Loving Husband

by Anne Bradstreet

‘To My Dear and Loving Husband’ by Anne Bradstreet is like a breath of fresh air. Her deep and genuine love for her husband is clear and evident in this poem.

The poet dedicated this piece to her husband and spent the lines declaring that the two are unified as one person. There are no such materialistic things that can be compared with their feelings for one another.

If ever two were one, then surely we.

If ever man were loved by wife, then thee.

If ever wife was happy in a man,

Compare with me, ye women, if you can.

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A Marriage

by Ronald Stuart Thomas

Thomas’ ‘A Marriage’ reflects on love’s endurance and life’s transience, capturing the beauty and inevitability of death in a lifelong bond.

This poem explores a fifty-year relationship and how a lifetime never seems like enough for real love. Death always comes, the speaker notes, and ends all human connections. He depicts Death as a device that ends all relationships, even the strongest ones.

We met under a shower of bird-notes. Fifty years passed,

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Marriage

by Gregory Corso

‘Marriage’ by Gregory Corso is a humorous and interesting poem about the pros and cons of getting married and everything that comes with it, like having children.

Marriage is, without a doubt, the most important topic in this poem. The poet describes what it would be like to be married in the worst way possible, including meeting your partner's parents and having children. This poem uses upbeat and often humorous language to the speaker about some very serious issues that most people face as they consider relationships, marriage, and having children.

Should I get married? Should I be good?

Astound the girl next door with my velvet suit and faustus hood?

Don't take her to movies but to cemeteries

tell all about werewolf bathtubs and forked clarinets

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Nationality: English

Emotion: Regret

Topics:

Marriage

Motherhood

Care, Family, Mothers and Daughters, Soul

Form: Sestet

"> 94/100

To My Daughter On Being Separated from Her on Her Marriage

by Anne Hunter

‘To My Daughter On Being Separated from Her on Her Marriage’ by Anne Hunter is a touching poem in which the speaker describes her hopes and dreams for her daughter as she marries.

This is a slightly unusual marriage poem in that it’s written from the perspective of a mother considering missing her daughter’s marriage. She conveys her hopes for her daughter’s future and suggests that she may never see her again.

Dear to my heart as life’s warm stream

Which animates this mortal clay,

For thee I court the waking dream,

And deck with smiles the future day;

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Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers

by Adrienne Rich

Adrienne Rich’s ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’ critiques the oppression of women in marriages using images of sewn tigers.

The poem delves into the oppressive gendered power dynamic inherent in traditional heterosexual marriages, where women like Aunt Jennifer are subjugated by their husbands. The 'ordeals' with which Aunt Jennifer is 'mastered' underscores men's dominance in such unions. The weight of 'Uncle's' wedding band further solidifies his authority, indicating that Aunt Jennifer's autonomy is eclipsed by his ownership. Women are trapped in marriage as divorce is not just socially unacceptable but practically unfeasible due to a lack of work opportunities and financial constraints. The poem aptly reveals the suffocating reality of traditional marital dynamics characterized by dominance and submission.

Aunt Jennifer's tigers prance across a screen,

Bright topaz denizens of a world of green.

They do not fear the men beneath the tree;

They pace in sleek chivalric certainty.

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Nationality: English

Themes: Celebration, Love

Topics:

Marriage

New Beginnings

Form: Free Verse

"> 90/100

The Beauty of Union

by George the Poet

George the Poet’s ‘The Beauty of Union’ is a thoughtful poem about marriage and partnership, specifically that of Prince Harry and Megan Markle.

This is a contemporary poem that was inspired by Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s marriage. It’s short, to the point, and spends its lines declaring what it takes to make a marriage successful.

There’s an indescribable beauty in union In two beings forming one new being Entering each other’s world Surrendering each other’s selves

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The Shadow Doll

by Eavan Boland

‘The Shadow Doll’ juxtaposes Victorian and contemporary bridal experiences, exploring societal constraints on women.

This less-than-optimistic poem describes marriage from the perspective of a Victorian woman. An unequal partnership was the reality of most Victorian marriages, including the main subject of this poem, who is transformed into a “shadow doll” through societal pressures.

They stitched blooms from ivory tulle

to hem the oyster gleam of the veil.

They made hoops for the crinoline.

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He loved three things, alive:

by Anna Akhmatova

‘He loved three things, alive:’ by Anna Akhmatova is a short poem in which the speaker describes her husbands likes and dislikes.

Marriage is a specific form of relationship that is central to the poem. The speaker reflects on the complexities of her own marriage, hinting at dissatisfaction and acknowledging the husband's dislikes. The poem suggests that even within the institution of marriage, love can be accompanied by moments of sadness, frustration, and tension. It provides a glimpse into the complexities of marital dynamics, highlighting the imperfections and struggles that can arise within this intimate union.

He loved three things, alive:

White peacocks, songs at eve,

And antique maps of America.

Hated when children cried,

#10

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A Word to Husbands

by Ogden Nash

‘A Word to Husbands’ offers succinct marital advice: admit when wrong, stay humble when right, nurturing love and honesty.

A humorous, classically Ogden Nash poem that speaks on themes of love, honesty, and humility in marriage. It is directed at men who want to continue their relationships with love and honesty.

To keep your marriage brimming

With love in the loving cup,

#11

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Part IV: The Merchant’s Tale

by Geoffrey Chaucer

This section of ‘The Merchant’s Tale’ by Geoffrey Chaucer revisits the counsel of January’s friends and introduces his new wife.

This section of the poem features the event that the previous 400 lines have been building to. In an extravagant display, January is finally wed to his young bride. Despite the superficial happiness of this day, numerous negative aspects of their marriage are alluded to throughout the scene. This includes the inequal happiness derived from the marriage, the introduction of lust, and the nature of their marital bed. Each component affirms to the audience that this new marriage will be an unhappy one.

Heigh fantasye and curious bisynesse

Fro day to day gan in the soule impresse

Of Januarie aboute his mariage.

Many a fair shap and many a fair visage

#12

PDF Guide

Nationality: American

Topics:

Marriage

Devotion, Home, Independence, Individuality, Life Struggles

Form: Free Verse

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Wife

by Ada Limón

‘Wife’ by Ada Limón investigates how women are portrayed within their marriages and challenges the patriarchal mindset that women have to be submissive to their husbands.

This poem challenges patriarchal assumptions of a woman’s role in a marriage. The poet specifically focuses on the connotations of the word “wife.” The speaker wants to love her husband and not fall into the trap of traditionalism.

I’m not yet comfortable with the word,

its short clean woosh that sounds like

life. At dinner last night my single girls

said in admonition, “It’s not wife-approved”

about a friend’s upcoming trip.

#13

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Part II: The Merchant’s Tale

by Geoffrey Chaucer

This section of ‘The Merchant’s Tale’ by Geoffrey Chaucer establishes January’s impossible expectations of a wife and his own shortcomings.

Marriage is a major theme throughout this section of 'The Merchant's Tale'. Chaucer highlights the flawed logic of marriage in wider society, relying heavily on religious morals to justify reasons for marrying yet focusing largely on the sexual opportunities it provides. The main character, January, only pursues the idea of marriage to gain the sexual gratification he has lost in his old age.

With face sad his tale he hath hem toold.

He seyde, "Freendes, I am hoor and oold,

And almoost, God woot, on my pittes brynke;

Upon my soule somewhat moste I thynke.

#14

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How Can You Say That?

by Jean Bleakney

‘How Can You Say That?’ is a humorous and thoughtful rebuttal of belittlement which reflects the struggle of women in the twentieth century.

The poem centers on the narrator's relationship with her husband. It highlights the dynamic and communication issues within their marriage. The husband's dismissive comment sparks the narrator's detailed rebuttal. This topic underscores the complexities and challenges in marital relationships.

I am your wife.

I can name and nurture

twenty-nine hardy geraniums.

#15

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Part I: The Merchant’s Tale

by Geoffrey Chaucer

‘The Merchant’s Tale’ by Geoffrey Chaucer features January’s quest for a wife and the Merchant’s satirical views on marriage.

The main theme in this poem is marriage, as it explores differing views on the subject. The Merchant delivers a long, satirical monologue about the merits of marriage. He expresses his belief that marriage is unconditionally miserable for men as women are disobedient and unfaithful. To substantiate his arguments that bachelorism is superior to married life, the Merchant repeatedly misquotes philosophers to depict them as foolish for endorsing marriage.

Whilom ther was dwellynge in Lumbardye

A worthy knyght, that born was of Payve,

In which he lyved in greet prosperitee;

And sixty yeer a wyflees man was hee,

Poems about Marriage FAQs

To write a poem about marriage or for a wedding, the writer should consider who the subject of the poem is. If it is your own partner, it is important to make the poem specific to your experience with this person. If the subject is another couple, consider what you know about them, what’s meaningful to them, and perhaps even the circumstances of how they met.

A marriage poem is a poem that delves into the complexities of married couples and the married state. Some marriage poems are uplifting and optimistic, while others are pessimistic and are intentionally written with the desire to question traditional relationships between men and women.

Yes, it is very common for guests, specifically those asked to make speeches, to read a poem at a wedding. Some brides or grooms may also choose to compose their wedding vowels in the form of a poem.

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