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Oct 18, 2024
If you’re looking to connect and tap into your inner queerness, sapphic poetry might be just what you need. From heart-fluttering confessions to soul-deep yearning, sapphic poetry is the tender, emotional rollercoaster you didn’t know you needed.
Whether you’re all about the soft, romantic vibes or the raw, unfiltered feels of queer love and heartbreak, these poets will make you feel seen in a way that hits differently. Seriously, it’s like they took all your sapphic daydreams and turned them into art. Get ready to feel all the things, y’all—because sapphic poetry is a whole mood.
When you think of sapphic poems, your first thought is probably, well, Sappho. And that’s for good reason! For folks who don’t know, the identity “Sapphic” is directly named after an ancient Greek female poet named Sappho.
That’s right- her queer poems are so legendary that we actually named queerness after her. (Not to mention the fact that she came from Lesbos- and that is why we call women who love women lesbians too) She’s an absolute icon. Her poetry is still chef’s kiss thousands of years later. Known for writing some of the most gorgeous, romantic, and emotionally raw poems about the love between women, Sappho’s words have that timeless soft girl energy mixed with intense longing. She’s basically the blueprint for all sapphic art and verse today—like, this woman was giving us queer poetry before it was cool.
Unfortunately, a lot of her work has been lost to time. Though it’s thought that she had written over 10,000 lines of poetry in her career, only one full poem has survived. The rest of the writings that we have from her are fragments, notes, and sometimes just a word here and there.
The longest work that we have from Sappho, and arguably one of the most famous, is the poem “Fragment 44”. It’s about the wedding of Hector and Andromache, two characters from Greek mythology. The poem vividly describes the festive and celebratory scene as Andromache is brought to Troy to marry Hector, capturing the grandeur of the procession, music, and the excitement of the people. Unlike many of Sappho’s more personal, romantic works, this fragment focuses on a legendary event with a communal, joyful tone.
But, it’s not a super queer poem. For that, we can look to “Fragment 31” also called “phainetai moi”. This poem describes the sapphic yearning and love that Sappho feels for a young woman. While relationships between men were fairly common historically, especially in Greece and Rome, WLW relationships are far less documented. This is part of what makes Sappho’s work so special. A passage of this poem reads:
and laughing delightfully, which indeed
makes my heart flutter in my breast;
for when I look at you even for a short time,
it is no longer possible for me to speak
but it is as if my tongue is broken
and immediately a subtle fire has run over my skin,
I cannot see anything with my eyes,
and my ears are buzzing
Even thousands of years ago, it was hard to talk to girls! It’s kind of remarkable that after all these centuries, the gay panic of having to talk to women is still relatable. The way that Sappho even just describes women in her poetry is beautiful, and reminds us of all the queer memes that simply just say “because women”. Because, well, women! We’re going to leave you with a quote from “Fragment 96”:
…And her light
stretches over salt sea
equally and flower deep fields.
And the beautiful dew is poured out
and roses bloom and frail
chervil and flowering sweetclover.
Sapphic poetry has come a long way since the days of ancient Greece, but the core of it has always stayed true: celebrating the love, desire, and emotional depth between women. It all started with Sappho, who was out here on a Greek island pouring her heart out in verses about longing, beauty, and love that hit you right in the most romantic, longing part of your being. Her influence set the foundation for centuries of queer woman poets who followed, turning queer love into timeless art, even when it wasn’t “mainstream”, or even safe, to talk about.
Fast forward to today, and sapphic poetry is everywhere—from Insta poets spilling their hearts in short, punchy lines to spoken word artists owning their truth on stage. The evolution has been wild, with more openness and diversity in how sapphic love is expressed.
Whether it’s ancient Greece or a Tumblr post, the core of sapphic poetry remains about capturing that deep connection and emotional truth between women. It’s honestly a whole mood that’s only gotten stronger and more relatable through the ages. We’d like to think Sappho would be proud of how loud we can shout our love from women from the rooftops, whether it’s in TikToks or at queer open mic nights at our local lesbian bar.
We’re fortunate enough to live in an age where sapphic representation in media has never been greater. From sapphic kisses on mainstream TV shows like “House of Dragons” to the meteoric rise of sapphic songwriters like Chappell Roan & Janelle Monae, we are loud and we are proud. With so much representation in other forms of writing like songs and literature, why should you give poetry a try?
Sapphic poetry tends to dive deep into themes of love, longing, and emotional connection between women. It often focuses on deeper themes of intimacy, everlasting beauty, and desire in a way that’s super personal and most distinctively: soft. It’s all about the emotions. Whether that feeling is unrequited or forbidden love, romantic yearning, or celebrating a deep bond, sapphic poets pour out that raw, emotional vulnerability and we love them for it. There’s usually this blend of romance and heartache that feels timeless like the poet is speaking directly to your soul.
Other forms of queer literature, especially in gay male and trans narratives, can explore similar feelings of love and desire, but often with different cultural contexts and layers. Gay male lit might focus more on navigating identity, coming out, or even dealing with societal pressures and the complexities of masculinity. Trans literature frequently delves into themes of self-discovery, body autonomy, and the journey to finding one’s true self. While sapphic poetry stays mostly in the territory of emotions and feelings, other more traditional queer literature can be more focused on the struggle for identity and acceptance. Both hit hard, but the way they approach love, selfhood, and queerness can come from different emotional angles. And sometimes, what you need is that dewy, raw emotion that is best served in a poem.
While we love Sappho, there’s a big wide gay world out there of queer poets who are baring their souls as we speak. Here are some sapphic poets of the 21st century that we adore.
Let me introduce you to Donika Kelly, a modern black queer poet you need on your radar. Her work is all about blending personal and mythic themes with raw, beautiful poems that dive into love, identity, and the complexities of queer relationships. She writes with this deep emotional honesty that’ll hit you right in the heartstrings. If you’re into poetry that explores everything from nature to the body, with a strong sapphic energy, Donika Kelly’s work is gonna be your new obsession.
I have never known a field as wild
as your heart.
-From “Love Poem: Centaur
You might know this name, but did you know she does poetry too?! She’s not just an amazing singer-songwriter (you’ve probably heard her voice on Macklemore’s Same Love), but also an incredible sapphic poet. Her poetry is all about being real. She writes with unfiltered vulnerability about queer love, mental health, and self-acceptance. She’s an open book, even exploring tough themes like body image. Mary’s words feel like a warm hug and a deep cry at the same time, making her poetry both relatable and healing. If you love honesty and heart, Mary Lambert’s got you covered.
I want every piece of me to crash into every piece of you,
I swear to god that’s how they make stars.
Franny Choi is the sapphic poet who’s bringing all the fire. Her work mixes sharp social commentary with tender, vulnerable moments. She dives into everything from queer identity and love to race and futuristic worlds. Franny’s poetry hits hard. It’s smart, emotional, and sometimes a little surreal, with that perfect balance of thought-provoking and heart-wrenching. If you’re into poetry that challenges the norm while also giving major queer, feminist vibes, Franny Choi is the poet to check out.
“Lord, I confess I want the clarity of
catastrophe but not the catastrophe.
Like everyone else, I want a storm I can
dance in.
I want an excuse to change my life.”
-The World Keeps Ending, and the World Goes On
Repping queer Chicana culture, Claudia Rodriquez’s work is all about blending the personal with the political, exploring themes like love, identity, and social justice in a way that feels real and honest.
Her poetry shines a light on queer Latino experiences while celebrating desire and resistance. She’s got an unapologetic energy, making her voice a super powerful one in the world of sapphic poetry. If you’re into poetry that challenges, empowers, and makes you feel seen, Claudia Rodriguez is the one for you.
Sabrina Cates is a talented Black sapphic poet, reiki healer, photographer and event hostess who has called many places home, where the rich cultural tapestry of her surroundings deeply influences her work. With a focus on themes of identity, love, and resilience, Sabrina’s poetry reflects her unique perspective as a queer black woman navigating the complexities of life, loss, and relationships. She often draws inspiration from her Southern roots, blending lyrical storytelling with powerful imagery that resonates deeply with her audience. As an advocate for mental health and spiritual wellbeing, Sabrina uses her voice not only to share her own life experiences but also to uplift and empower others in the queer community. We actually recommend that you listen to her read her own poetry. Her voice is captivating and mesmerizing, and her performative poetry pieces have us under her spell.
“i am just a woman,
who loves being a woman,
who loves women.”
We couldn’t write a piece about sapphic poets and not include some of the best-known poets around. These are sapphic poets that you’re probably more familiar with. You might have had to read them in high school or university, but they’re worth reading in your free time, too.
Wu Zao seamlessly blended her Chinese heritage with her queer identity, crafting poems that explore love, desire, and the beauty of being true to yourself. Wu’s work has this ethereal, dreamy sort of tone that makes it hard to put down. She used lush imagery and emotional depth to draw you into her world. Whether she was reflecting on personal experiences or tackling broader social themes, her poetry still hits with that perfect mix of heart and honesty.
“We paint each other’s beautiful eyebrows,
I want to possess you completely-
Your jade body
And your promised heart”
-For The Courtesan Ch’ing Lin
Emily Dickinson is an iconic sapphic poet from Massachusetts who kept her loves mysterious. Living in the 19th century, she was all about writing down her intense feelings and secret romances in beautifully, delicately crafted poems. She often explored themes of longing, identity, and most importantly, nature. With her unique style and unconventional life where she spent her days reclusive and out of sight, Dickinson’s work is filled with a hauntingly romantic energy that still resonates today.
“If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain.”
Gertrude Stein was a sapphic poet and literary powerhouse who was ahead of her time! Living in the early 20th century, she was not just a poet but also a key figure in the avant-garde scene. She hosted some of the most iconic and most famous literary salons in all of Paris.
With her experimental style at the time, Stein redefined both poetry and prose. Like a true creator, she turned language into playful, rhythmic art. She didn’t shy away from her queer identity either. Her relationship with fellow artist Alice B. Toklas was pretty public and known and was key to inspiring her work and influencing the LGBTQ+ community beyond. If you’re looking for bold, innovative writing that breaks all the rules while celebrating love and creativity, look no further.
“You look ridiculous if you dance
You look ridiculous if you don’t dance
So you might as well
Dance.”
– Three Lives
Audre Lorde was an influential Black American sapphic poet and fierce advocate for social justice. She used her poetry as a weapon against oppression, blending her experiences as a Black lesbian feminist with themes of love, identity, and empowerment. With her raw and unapologetic voice, Lorde’s work resonates on so many levels even today. She challenged societal norms while simultaneously uplifting marginalized voices. If you’re all about poetry that inspires change and speaks to the soul, Audre Lorde is a must-read.
“I am not free while any woman is unfree,
even when her shackles are very different from my own.”
Hailing from India, Suniti Namjoshi blends mythology, feminism, and LGBTQ+ themes in her poetry. This creates these stunning, thought-provoking pieces that celebrate love and identity. With her unique voice, she challenges societal limitations and oppression and confronts issues like gender and sexuality, all while weaving in elements of folklore and storytelling. Her work is both playful and profound, making you rethink everything while also giving you that warm, fuzzy feeling inside. If you’re looking for a poet who breaks boundaries and redefines what it means to love and exist, Suniti Namjoshi is definitely someone you need to check out!
“When we make love you and I are both sacred and secular.”
In a world where sapphic voices are finally getting the recognition they deserve, it’s clear that these poets have shaped history and are still shaping sapphic culture today. From Sappho’s timeless verses to Audre Lorde’s powerful activism, these women have poured their hearts into words that inspire, challenge, and empower us. Their stories remind us that love knows no bounds and that art can be an act of rebellion and revolution.
We hope that you check out these sapphic poets and let us know if there are any we might have missed. Remember, your words have power—write your truth and let the world feel it!
Robyn is the CEO & Founder of HER. Find her on Twitter.
