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True Love
What is true love? It is a question people have asked for generations, and the answer may be a little different for each of us. For some, true love is found in loyalty and companionship. For others, it is shown through kindness, sacrifice, forgiveness, and simply being there through both the happy and difficult times.
True love is more than words spoken when everything is going well. It is a love that remains steady through life's changes, values another person without selfish motives, and becomes even more precious as the years pass. It can bring happiness during good times and comfort when the road becomes difficult.
In this famous poem, John Imrie reflects on the lasting power of true love. He describes love as a treasure that riches cannot replace and reminds us to cherish it when we are fortunate enough to find it. His words offer thoughtful answers to that timeless question: What is true love?
Updated September 29, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.
True Love
Poet: John Imrie
'Tis a magic spell,
Which lovers know well,
In sunshine and shower the same;
Ever old, yet new,
Both constant and true,
And seeks neither self nor fame.
Unheard or confest,
As seemeth it best,
Its tale it may never unfold;
Yet all know the pow'r
Of Love's happy hour,
Its memory never grows old!
'Tis a golden key.
Be it sigh or plea,
That opens the door of the heart;
And treasures untold
Doth ever unfold,
Which riches could never impart.
Then cherish with care
A jewel so rare,
And dim not its lustre with scorn;
'Twill lighten the gloom
From cradle, to tomb,
And heal the heart bleeding and torn.
Love never can die.
Its home is on high,
And God will yet claim what He gives;
And love He hath giv'n.
To make earth a heav'n.
True love in the heart ever lives!
Key Reflections In This Poem
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True love remains constant.
John Imrie describes love as being the same in both "sunshine and shower." True love is not only present during happy times but remains steady when life becomes difficult.
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Love does not seek attention or reward.
The poet tells us that true love seeks neither self nor fame. Genuine love is often shown quietly through caring actions rather than through a desire for recognition.
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Love opens the heart.
Imrie compares love to a golden key that reveals treasures within the heart. The riches found through loving and being loved are worth more than material possessions.
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True love should be cherished.
Love is described as a rare jewel that deserves our care. When we value the people we love and treat that love with kindness and respect, it can bring light even during difficult times.
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Love has a lasting influence.
The final verse reminds us that true love reaches beyond the passing circumstances of life. The love we give and receive can remain in our hearts and continue to influence us for years to come.
Popular Pages
Discover more poems about romantic love, God's love, and the many ways love can be expressed and celebrated.
Read timeless verses from well-known poets who have written about the joys and emotions of love in our Famous Love Poems.
Share your feelings with someone special through these romantic and heartfelt Valentines Day Poems.
Find poems about faith, God's guidance, and Christian living in this collection of Christian Poems.
Reflect on the enduring love God has for us with these inspiring Poems About God's Love.
Conclusion
John Imrie's words remind us that true love is much more than a passing feeling. It is constant through sunshine and storms, gives without seeking recognition, and offers a richness that money could never provide. When we find this kind of love, it is something worth protecting and cherishing.
True love is often seen most clearly in the little things we do for one another each day. A kind word, a helping hand, patience during difficult moments, and simply being there can say more about love than grand gestures ever could.
Perhaps that is why true love leaves such a lasting mark on our lives. People and circumstances may change, but the love we have shared can remain in our hearts. As Imrie reminds us, true love is indeed a rare jewel, and one we should never take for granted.
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