Some of these are really gorgeous, especially the "I like you" poem, and the ee cummings and john donne must be some of the best love poetry ever.
Can I nominate "Hard to Say" by Carol Ann Duffy? If it's not too, er, steamy (there is actual steam)
"Hard to Say"
I asked him to give me an image for Love, something I could see,
or imagine seeing, or something that, because of the word
for its smell, would make me remember, something possible
to hear. Don?t just say love, I said, love, love, I love you.
On the way home, I thought of our love and how, lately,
I too have grown lazy in expressing it, snuggling up to you
in bed, idly murmuring those tired clichés without even thinking.
My words have been grubby confetti, faded, tacky, blown far
from the wedding feast. And so it was, with a sudden shock of love,
like a peacock flashing wide its hundred eyes, or a boy?s voice
flinging top G to the roof of an empty church, or a bottle
of French perfume knocked off the shelf, spilling into the steamy bath,
I wanted you. After the wine, the flowers I brought you drowned
in the darkening light. As we slept, we breathed their scent all night.
If it's a civil partnership, can I also plug "White Writing" -another Duffy one . Is this in your book yet sgb? Would do for men too if you eliminate the skirt verse (but who am i to judge skirt-wearers)
No vows written to wed you
I write them white,
my lips on yours,
light in the soft hours of our married years.
No prayers written to bless you,
I write them white,
your soul a flame,
bright in the window of your maiden name.
No laws written to guard you,
I write them white,
your hand in mine,
palm against palm, lifeline, heartline.
No rules written to guide you,
I write them white,
words on the wind,
traced with a stick where we walk in the sand.
No news written to tell you,
I write it white,
foam on a wave,
as we lift up our skirts in the sea, wade,
see last gold sun behind clouds,
inked water in the moonlight.
No poems written to praise you,
I write them white.