Erotic Poems That Ignite Desire
Poems for adults only (18+). Some entries include sexually explicit poems.
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If you’re searching “erotica sex” because you want something that feels intimate, poetic, and a little dangerous (in the best way), welcome. Erotic poetry does this neat trick where it can be bold without being loud, tender without being tame, and sexy without feeling like it’s trying too hard.
Below is a curated list of erotic poems and sex poems that swing from soft-heat to full-body-blush. I’ll point you toward legitimate places to read when they’re available online, and when they’re not, I’ll nudge you toward the right collections to request from your library.
Quick picks by mood
When you want a fast answer (and not a dissertation), try this:
For “sweet, then spicy”: “basket of figs” by Ellen Bass
For mythic, oceanic sensuality: “Sea Poppies” by H.D.
For hands-on, playful seduction: “At the Touch of You” by Witter Bynner
For classic, shameless flirting: “To His Mistress Going to Bed” by John Donne
For Black erotism and gorgeous intensity: “Recreation” by Audre Lorde
For a tiny poem that still hits like a spark: “Aubade” by Amy Lowell
A quick note before we get spicy
Erotic poetry is personal. What feels like “sexy eroticism” to one reader can feel like “close the tab, close the laptop, move to a new country” to another.
A few ways to keep it fun:
If you’re reading with a partner, do a quick comfort check first.
If a poem hits a nerve, skip it. You’re not “failing literature.”
If you’re reading out loud at a poetry night, give a gentle heads-up that you’re bringing poems about sex and not cozy haikus.
The erotic poems
“Sea Poppies” by H.D.
This one is sensual in a sea-glass way: shimmering, sharp-edged, and strangely intimate. The desire here feels like it rises out of the tide, not a bedroom. It’s a great pick if you like erotic poetry that’s more atmosphere than action.
Try it when: you want longing with salt on its collarbone.
“basket of figs” by Ellen Bass
A modern classic for a reason. It’s sensual without performing for anyone, and it uses food and tenderness in a way that makes you feel seen and slightly undone. If you’re looking for erotic poems that feel grown-up, generous, and real, start here.
Try it when: you want heat that still feels kind.
“At the Touch of You” by Witter Bynner
Flirtatious, direct, and very much about the physical spark. It’s the poem version of “no big speech, just come closer.” Short, vivid, and easy to read out loud.
Try it when: you want a quick rush, not a slow burn.
“To His Mistress Going to Bed” by John Donne
A classic “sex poem” that does not pretend it’s above wanting what it wants. It’s witty, forward, and built around undressing as devotion. If you like your erotica sex with a dash of historical scandal, Donne delivers.
Try it when: you want bold seduction with old-school swagger.
“Fragment 38” by Sappho
Sappho can turn a single line into a whole-body reaction. “Fragment 38” is often referenced for its intense, stripped-down expression of desire. The numbering of Sappho’s fragments varies by edition and translator, so you may see the same line catalogued differently elsewhere.
Try it when: you want the raw spark of wanting, no extra padding.
“The Floating Poem, Unnumbered” by Adrienne Rich
This poem is intimate in a quiet, inevitable way. It’s sensual, yes, but also deeply human: bodies, memory, tenderness, and the way desire can feel like a haunting you actually want.
Try it when: you want erotic poetry that feels like love and gravity.
“Recreation” by Audre Lorde
Short, blazing, unforgettable. Lorde writes desire as power and creation, not performance. If you want black erotism in poetry that’s intense, embodied, and unapologetic, start here.
Try it when: you want heat with depth and authority.
“Assurance” by Emma Lazarus
Dreamlike, romantic, and softly sensual. It reads like a kiss you can still feel the next morning. If you want poems about sex that lean toward yearning and sweetness (instead of explicit detail), this is a lovely lane.
Try it when: you want romance-first, spice-second.
“Lust” by Yusef Komunyakaa
Komunyakaa’s language is vivid and tactile. This poem makes longing feel physical: taste, texture, hunger, devotion. It’s a great example of sexpoetry that’s lush rather than graphic.
Try it when: you want sensuality that feels alive on the tongue.
“Sonnet XVII” by Pablo Neruda
If you want Neruda’s most famous tender-obsessive energy without hunting through sketchy reposts, Poetry Foundation has “Sonnet XVII.” It’s intimate, sincere, and quietly consuming.
Try it when: you want devotion that still reads sexy.
“Love Sonnet XI” by Pablo Neruda
Many readers go looking for this one because it’s one of Neruda’s most widely shared “dirty poems” in translation. It’s commonly referred to as “Love Sonnet XI” from One Hundred Love Sonnets (Cien sonetos de amor), which is published in multiple English editions. If you want the cleanest route, borrow a reputable translation through your library or pick up an established print edition.
Try it when: you want hungry, breathy longing that doesn’t whisper.
“The Encounter” by Louise Glück
This one is frequently shared as a short, intense snapshot of desire and vulnerability. Some sources associate it with Glück’s work in The Triumph of Achilles. If you can’t find it through a legitimate publication page, your best bet is a library copy of Glück’s collections so you’re reading it the right way.
Try it when: you want intimacy that’s a little unsettling, in a good way.
“Aubade” by Amy Lowell
Four lines, sharp and sweet, and it lands. Desire as careful unwrapping, devotion as touch. Proof that erotic poems do not need to be long to be loud.
Try it when: you want a tiny poem for adults only that still makes you blush.
Bonus: “In a Garden” by Amy Lowell
If you want a more scene-like sensual poem from Lowell, “In a Garden” is lush, vivid, and loaded with yearning. It’s practically a whole moodboard by itself.
Try it when: you want candlelight energy without clichés.
Spice notes (so you can pick your lane)
Some readers want “soft and romantic.” Others want “sexiest erotic poems I can read with a fan in one hand.” Here’s a simple way to think about it:
Soft heat: longing, romance, suggestion (Lazarus, Neruda XVII)
Medium heat: sensual imagery, bodies, touch (H.D., Rich, Komunyakaa)
High heat: bolder seduction, more direct desire (Donne, Lorde, some Neruda translations)
If you’re hosting a “spicy poetry night”
This is where erotic poetry really shines. A few tips:
Keep the lineup mixed: one tender poem, one funny one, one intense one.
Ask readers to keep excerpts short (and legal).
Offer an “opt-out” moment where anyone can step out for water without it being a whole thing.
Want conversation prompts for after? Our Book Club Discussion Questions guide is perfect for steering the chat back to feelings, craft, and themes (instead of everyone nervously laughing into their drinks).
Related reading on His & Hers Book Club
Erotic poems are great, then you might want a palate cleanser, a classic romance, or just something witty to bring your nervous system back to earth.
For cozy inspiration: 100 Quotes About Reading
For classic banter: Pride and Prejudice Summary and Pride and Prejudice Quotes
For sharp humor: Oscar Wilde Quotes and Oscar Wilde Books in Order
For gifting your fellow reader (or your fellow flirt): How to Gift a Kindle Book and How to Gift an Audible Book
For present ideas: 21 Best Book Club Gifts for 2025 and 18 Best Book Lover Gifts for 2025
FAQ
What’s the difference between erotic poetry and porn?
Erotic poetry is built around voice, imagery, and emotional charge. It can be explicit or suggestive, but it’s shaped like literature, not a script.
Are these sexually explicit poems free to read online?
Some are legally available online through reputable archives and poetry organizations. Others are best read in print collections or via library copies.
What are good erotic poems for beginners?
Start with Ellen Bass, Adrienne Rich, or Neruda’s “Sonnet XVII” if you want tender heat before you go bolder.
Any recommendations for Black eroticism in poetry?
Audre Lorde is a powerful starting point, especially if you want desire written as strength and selfhood.
I searched “dirty poems” and got a mess. Where should I look?
Stick to reputable sources (Poetry Foundation, Academy of American Poets, Project Gutenberg, library editions). Repost sites often mis-credit work or mangle the text.
Below is a curated list of erotic poems that swing from soft-heat to full-body-blush. I’ll point you toward legitimate places to read when they’re available online, and when they’re not, I’ll nudge you toward the right collections to request from your library.