The Timeless Beauty of Sappho's Lesbian Poems

When we think of ancient poetry, one of the first names that comes to mind is Sappho. Known for her lyric poetry, Sappho was a Greek poet who lived on the island of Lesbos in the 7th century B.C. While only fragments of her work have survived, Sappho's poems are celebrated for their emotional depth, vivid imagery, and exploration of love and desire.

Exploring Love and Desire

Sappho's poems often center around themes of love and desire, particularly the love between women. In her work, she expresses the intensity of her emotions and the longing she feels for her beloved. Sappho's poems celebrate the beauty of love in all its forms, including the love between women.

The Influence of Sappho

Despite living thousands of years ago, Sappho's poetry continues to resonate with readers today. Her work has had a lasting impact on the literary world, inspiring countless poets and writers to explore themes of love, desire, and relationships. Sappho's poems have also been a source of empowerment for members of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly lesbians.

Examples of Sappho's Lesbian Poems

Poem 1

Fragment 31:
That man seems to me to be equal to the gods
Who sits opposite you
And close listens to your
Sweet speaking
And lovely laughing—oh, its enough for me to
Look at you for a short while
To make me strange-silent—

Poem 2

Fragment 105a:
As the sweet-apple reddens high
on the tip-top branch
high on the tip-top branch
and the apple-pickers have forgotten it—
no, they have not forgotten
but together they cannot gather it—

Poem 3

Fragment 130:
Someone will remember us
I say
even in another time

Sappho's lesbian poems continue to captivate readers with their timeless themes of love, desire, and longing. Her work serves as a reminder of the universal emotions that connect us all, regardless of time or place. Sappho's legacy as a poet who embraced love in all its forms is one that will endure for generations to come.