The aim of the study was to identify the peculiarities of depicting the images of war and love in Kyrgyz and American poetry by analysing the works reflecting these themes. The study used comparative-literary and structural-semantic methods to identify the specific features of the perception of war and love in each national tradition, as well as to identify the poetic techniques used and their functional role. The analysis of the works showed that in American poetry war was predominantly portrayed as a destructive force leading to moral crisis, loss of traditional values and rethinking of human existence. The poetic texts emphasised individual tragedy and inner conflict of a person, which was expressed in the use of the symbolism of chaos, natural disasters and the inevitability of destruction. On the contrary, Kyrgyz poetry conceptualised war as a duty to the motherland, requiring steadfastness and selflessness. Unlike the American tradition, which focuses on personal experiences, Kyrgyz poets emphasised the collective aspect of war, perceived as a test that unites the people. American poetry depicted love as personal, variable, and changeable, according to love lyrics. Love was viewed as either an all-consuming sensation that transcended time and place or an unstable state reliant on external factors. Kyrgyz poetry depicted love as a noble sensation linked to national values, the homeland, and culture. The idealised female picture symbolised spirituality and genuine love. The study found that Kyrgyz and American poetry depicted war and love differently due to cultural, historical, and national differences.