Poems that Explore the Depths of Obsession with Love

Love, a powerful force that can uplift us to unimaginable heights or plunge us into the depths of despair. When love takes hold, it can become an obsession that consumes our thoughts, actions, and even our very existence. In the realm of poetry, this intense fixation with love has been captured beautifully by numerous poets throughout history. Join us as we delve into the world of poems that explore the complexities and allure of love's obsession.

1. "Annabel Lee" by Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe, renowned for his macabre and melancholic poems, takes us on a haunting journey of love in his famous poem "Annabel Lee." This obsessive love is so profound that the narrator believes his soul is forever entwined with that of his beloved. Poe's words paint a vivid picture of an eternal connection that even death cannot sever:

But our love it was stronger by far than the love
Of those who were older than we—
Of many far wiser than we—
And neither the angels in Heaven above
Nor the demons down under the sea
Can ever dissever my soul from the soul
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee.
(Excerpt from "Annabel Lee" by Edgar Allan Poe)

2. "Mad Girl's Love Song" by Sylvia Plath

Sylvia Plath's poem "Mad Girl's Love Song" showcases a different facet of love's obsession – the unrequited kind. Plath's speaker portrays a deeply troubled mind, oscillating between longing and despair, trapped in a cycle of unfulfilled love. The poem's repetition and vivid imagery perfectly capture the tumultuous emotions that come with an all-consuming obsession:

I think I made you up inside my head.
The stars go waltzing out in blue and red,
And arbitrary blackness gallops in:
(Excerpt from "Mad Girl's Love Song" by Sylvia Plath)

3. "When You Are Old" by W.B. Yeats

In "When You Are Old," W.B. Yeats explores the theme of unrequited love and the enduring power of obsession. The poem reflects upon a love that was never reciprocated, where the speaker implores his beloved to remember their past and the love that once burned within them. Yeats' words evoke a poignant sense of longing and the bittersweet nature of holding onto a love that remains unfulfilled:

But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face;
And bending down beside the glowing bars,
Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled
And paced upon the mountains overhead
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.
(Excerpt from "When You Are Old" by W.B. Yeats)

Love, in all its intricacies, has the power to consume our hearts and minds. The poems mentioned above are just a glimpse into the vast array of poetry that explores the obsession with love. They remind us of the intense emotions love can evoke, from the joy of reciprocation to the ache of longing for what can never be. These poems are a testament to the enduring allure and complexity of love's obsession, forever immortalized in the world of poetry.