(7 June 1917 – 3 December 2000 / Topeka, Kansas)

poet Gwendolyn Brooks
#63 on top 500 poets
What do you think this poem is about?

To Be In Love

To be in love
Is to touch with a lighter hand.
In yourself you stretch, you are well.
You look at things
Through his eyes.
A cardinal is red.
A sky is blue.
Suddenly you know he knows too.
He is not there but
You know you are tasting together
The winter, or a light spring weather.
His hand to take your hand is overmuch.
Too much to bear.
You cannot look in his eyes
Because your pulse must not say
What must not be said.
When he
Shuts a door-
Is not there_
Your arms are water.
And you are free
With a ghastly freedom.
You are the beautiful half
Of a golden hurt.
You remember and covet his mouth
To touch, to whisper on.
Oh when to declare
Is certain Death!
Oh when to apprize
Is to mesmerize,
To see fall down, the Column of Gold,
Into the commonest ash.


Anonymous submission.

Submitted: Thursday, January 01, 2004


Read poems about / on: weather, freedom, winter, beautiful, remember, spring, together, water, red, sky, death, light

Comments about this poem (To Be In Love by Gwendolyn Brooks )

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  • Naveed Akram (8/6/2008 3:45:00 PM)

    I like the swing of the poet. It gives us a long look, and a brief shape to the aspect of being in love. The abstract cares are finally uplifting the poem’s enterprise, and unique glimpses are made on the beauty of the subject. It can release a passion, just as the matter itself can release excitement. Much of the poem strives for a natural appraisal of being in love, with a similitude that is perfect, and an ending so metaphorical.

    7 person liked.
    		4 person did not like.
  • Emancipation Planz (2/24/2008 2:27:00 AM)

    These lines 'You are the beautiful half Of a golden hurt.' are truly magical symmetry of two lovers....

    8 person liked.
    		2 person did not like.
  • Blue angel Florida (10/2/2007 3:44:00 PM)

    Lovely Piece, deep love, well described.

    5 person liked.
    		5 person did not like.
  • Shelley L Baxter-Stanley (6/15/2007 12:45:00 AM)

    I love this true attest to Love and all the wonderful imagery you bring to great piece of poetry...true thoughts were shared and enjoyed.Wish U were still around to write more...may be now you are entertaining the Angels with your great works Gwendolyn...10/10
    =Shelley=

    4 person liked.
    		3 person did not like.
  • Kailynd McGregor (4/19/2006 10:09:00 PM)

    I love this poem.....it is just how I feel about someone right now

    5 person liked.
    		4 person did not like.
  • Christina Wagner (5/19/2005 4:17:00 PM)

    It's a great poem. Very vivid in its description of what love is.

    5 person liked.
    		3 person did not like.
Read all 6 comments »

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