Finding the perfect poem for your lesbian wedding ceremony can add a deeply personal and romantic touch to your special day. Whether you’re looking for traditional vows, ceremony readings, or romantic lines for your wedding card, here’s a collection of beautiful lesbian love poems that celebrate the unique bond between two women.
“Married Love” by Carol Ann Duffy
I promise to love you
Like the tide loves the shore,
Coming back, always back,
With new treasures each time.
Perfect for: Opening ceremony readings
Britain’s first openly gay Poet Laureate (2009-2019). Her work often explores lesbian love and desire through both personal and mythological perspectives. She has lived openly as a lesbian throughout her career, breaking barriers in British poetry.
“Forever Is Our Today” by Sappho (Modern Translation)
What people say of us does not matter,
Our love speaks in eternal whispers,
In the quiet moments when your eyes meet mine,
I know this is where forever begins.
Perfect for: Traditional ceremony vows
The original lesbian poet who lived on the Greek island of Lesbos. Her poetry about love between women was so influential that both terms “lesbian” and “sapphic” derive from her name and homeland. Her work forms the foundation of lesbian literary tradition.
“Two Hearts” by Emily Dickinson
Two hearts that beat as one,
Two souls forever bound,
In nature's perfect harmony,
True love at last is found.
Perfect for: Wedding cards and invitations
While not openly lesbian during her lifetime, scholars have extensively studied her intimate letters and poems to Susan Gilbert, her sister-in-law, suggesting a deep romantic attachment. Her work often contains coded references to same-sex love.
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“My Love, My Wife” by Julie R. Enszer
In all the ways that matter,
You are my morning light,
My evening peace,
My lifetime's delight.
Perfect for: Personal vows
Contemporary lesbian poet and scholar who explicitly writes about lesbian relationships and community. She edits Sinister Wisdom, one of the longest-running lesbian literary and art journals.
“Today I Marry My Best Friend” by Rachel Pollack
Not just a lover or partner,
But my mirror, my comfort,
My challenger, my truth,
Today I marry my best friend.
Perfect for: Modern ceremony readings
Known for both her poetry and prose, Pollack came out as a transgender lesbian in the 1970s and wrote extensively about queer identity and relationships.
“Dancing With Her” by Pat Parker
Every step we take together,
Creates our own dance,
Our own rhythm,
Our own beautiful story.
Perfect for: First dance dedication
African American lesbian feminist poet who wrote openly about being Black and lesbian in the 1960s-80s. Her work deals explicitly with lesbian love, racism, and homophobia.
“Marriage Promise” by Adrienne Rich
This is a promise:
To walk beside you,
Not in front, not behind,
But together, always together.
Perfect for: Exchange of rings
One of the most influential lesbian poets of the 20th century. After coming out in the 1970s, she wrote extensively about lesbian experience and feminist theory. Her work redefined how lesbian relationships could be portrayed in poetry.
“Love’s Truth” by Mary Oliver
When we found each other,
We found ourselves,
Complete in ways
We never knew we could be.
Perfect for: Reception speeches
While private about her personal life, she lived with her partner Molly Malone Cook for over 40 years. Her nature-focused poetry often contains subtle references to lesbian love.
“The Journey Together” by Audre Lorde
We begin this journey as two,
But we walk as one,
Creating our path
With each step forward.
Perfect for: Ceremony entrance
Self-described “Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet.” Her work explicitly addresses the intersections of sexuality, race, and gender. She was a pioneering voice in lesbian feminist literature.
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“Our Love Story” by Jackie Kay
Some said our love was different,
But love knows no boundaries,
No gender, no rules,
Just two hearts beating true.
Perfect for: Ceremony program
Scottish poet laureate who often writes about her experiences as a Black lesbian in Scotland. Her work explores themes of identity, love, and belonging.
“Wedding Day” by Minnie Bruce Pratt
This day marks not a beginning,
But a continuation,
Of the love we've built
Day by day, year by year.
Perfect for: Anniversary celebrations
A lesbian feminist poet and activist who came out in the 1970s. Her work often addresses the challenges of being a lesbian mother and the loss of custody of her children due to her sexuality. Her poetry collection “Crime Against Nature” won the Lamont Poetry Award.
“Forever Yours” by Ellen Bass
I choose you today,
And tomorrow,
And all the days after,
In this life we build together.
Perfect for: Closing ceremony readings
An openly lesbian poet who co-authored the groundbreaking book “The Courage to Heal.” Her poetry explores lesbian love, relationships, and domestic life with remarkable intimacy and clarity.
“This Morning” by Alice Walker
I reach for you
As naturally as the sun
Reaches across the sky,
Making each day ours.
Perfect for: Morning wedding ceremonies
Bisexual poet and author of “The Color Purple,” her work explores the intersections of sexuality, race, and gender. She has written openly about her relationships with both men and women.
“What We Share” by Judy Grahn
More than rings of gold,
More than spoken words,
We share a love that builds
Its own sacred space.
Perfect for: Alternative ceremonies
A prominent lesbian feminist poet and scholar who helped establish the Women’s Press Collective. Her work celebrates lesbian identity and has been fundamental in developing lesbian feminist theory.
“After Years” by Dorothy Porter
Every morning I wake to find
I love you more than yesterday,
Each day adding to our story,
Each moment precious and new.
Perfect for: Long-term couples’ vows
Australian poet known for her frank explorations of lesbian desire and sexuality. Her verse novels, particularly “The Monkey’s Mask,” broke new ground in lesbian detective fiction and poetry.
“Together” by Gertrude Stein
Two lives now joined,
Like rivers meeting,
Flowing stronger,
Growing deeper.
Perfect for: Unity ceremonies
Modernist writer who lived openly with her partner Alice B. Toklas in Paris. Her experimental poetry and prose often contained subtle references to lesbian love and relationships.
“In This Moment” by June Jordan
Here, before these witnesses,
I promise you my heart,
My truth, my tomorrow,
My forever.
Perfect for: Exchange of vows
Bisexual poet and activist whose work addresses sexuality, race, and political justice. She wrote openly about bisexuality and her relationships with women.
“Love’s Language” by Elizabeth Bishop
Some love speaks in whispers,
Some in gentle touch,
Ours speaks in the silence
Of complete understanding.
Perfect for: Intimate ceremonies
While private about her personal life, Bishop had several significant relationships with women. Her poetry often contains subtle explorations of same-sex love through metaphor and imagery.
“Wedding Dance” by Marilyn Hacker
We move together now,
In perfect rhythm,
Creating our own music,
Writing our own rules.
Perfect for: First dance moments
An openly lesbian poet whose work directly addresses queer relationships and identity. Her poetry collections have won numerous awards and she’s known for her formal mastery.
“My Beloved” by Chrystos
In you I find
My home, my heart,
My reason for being,
My perfect match.
Perfect for: Personal vows
Two-Spirit Native American lesbian poet whose work addresses Indigenous identity, sexuality, and political activism. Their poetry often challenges colonial and heteronormative perspectives.
“Forever Us” by Jane Hirshfield
Two paths converging,
Two hearts deciding,
Two lives combining,
One love abiding.
Perfect for: Unity rituals
While private about her personal life, her poetry often explores themes of love and intimacy between women through Buddhist-influenced perspectives.
“Marriage Morning” by Elsa Gidlow
Dawn breaks on this day
Of promises and dreams,
Where two women choose
To walk life's path as one.
Perfect for: Morning ceremonies
Published the first openly lesbian love poetry in North America. Her 1923 collection “On a Grey Thread” was groundbreaking for its time.
“Our Symphony” by Rita Mae Brown
Like music we blend,
Each note essential,
Creating harmony
In love's perfect song.
Perfect for: Musical ceremonies
Activist and writer who was expelled from university for lesbian activism. Her poetry and prose have been instrumental in lesbian feminist literature.
“This Ring” by Ruthann Robson
Circle of promise,
Symbol of forever,
Marking the moment
When two become one.
Perfect for: Ring exchange
Legal scholar and poet who writes about lesbian identity and relationships. Her work often explores the intersection of law, sexuality, and literature.
“Wedding Vows” by Kitty Tsui
I promise to love you
Through all seasons,
Through all changes,
Through all of time.
Perfect for: Traditional vows
Asian American lesbian poet and activist whose work celebrates lesbian sexuality and Asian lesbian identity.
“Love’s Truth” by Joan Larkin
In this gathering of hearts,
We speak our truth:
That love knows no bounds,
No limits, no rules.
Perfect for: Modern ceremonies
Openly lesbian poet whose work addresses sexuality, addiction recovery, and lesbian relationships with unflinching honesty.
“Our Garden” by Paula Gunn Allen
Like flowers in spring,
Our love blooms anew
Each day we choose
To grow together.
Perfect for: Garden weddings
Native American lesbian poet and scholar who wrote about the intersection of lesbian identity and Indigenous traditions.
“Forever Dance” by Olga Broumas
In this sacred space
We begin our dance,
Partners in life,
Lovers in soul.
Perfect for: Reception readings
Greek-American poet whose work explicitly celebrates lesbian love and sexuality, often through mythological references.
“Morning Promise” by Robin Morgan
Each sunrise brings
New chances to love you,
New ways to show you
How much you mean.
Perfect for: Sunrise ceremonies
Feminist poet and activist whose work includes explorations of lesbian feminism and women’s relationships.
“Union” by Staceyann Chin
Two spirits joined
In celebration,
Two hearts united
In perfect love.
Perfect for: Closing ceremonies
Openly lesbian Jamaican performance poet whose work addresses sexuality, Caribbean identity, and political activism.
These poems celebrate the beauty of lesbian marriage and the unique journey of two women committing their lives to each other. Whether you’re planning an intimate ceremony or a grand celebration, these verses can help express the depth of your love and commitment.
Looking for more wedding inspiration? Check out our guides on Lesbian Wedding Traditions and Creative Wedding Proposal Ideas for Same-Sex Couples.
Further Reading
