Love Lessons"Before doing my story, I had
never even thought about many
of the things in the story
template, and they’re important."
V.B.
What kind of love poems would light my fire?
Because poetry relies so much on metaphor and other forms of symbolic language, it can have a profound effect on people when they read it. Good poetry can force you to look at the world—and yourself—differently.
How you respond to various kinds of love poetry could tell you something about your deepest emotional needs and desires.
That’s why I recommend reading all sorts of love poetry from many different eras to see what sort of writing moves you. For example, in reading Elizabeth Barrett Browning, an English Victorian poet, you maybe surprised to realize you’re much more of a romantic than you thought. And perhaps you’d like your dream man to be a romantic sort too. (They do exist, trust me!)
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach…
Or perhaps you prefer a more pragmatic 20th Century American poet like Edna St. Vincent Millay. Some of her love poems read like torch songs and are filled with high drama. If you respond to her, are you really craving more excitement from a relationship?
I looked in my heart while the wild swans went over.
And what did I see I had not seen before?
And don’t be afraid to venture off in far-flung directions. Chilean master Pablo Neruda writes some of the most passionate love poetry, and much of it is beautifully translated into English. (Neruda is also the central figure in the delightful romantic movie of a few years back, Il Postino.)
Quiero hacer contigo lo que los cerezos hace con la primavera.
I want to do with you what spring does with cherry trees.
If that got your heart pumping, then you may need to be sure your ideal guy knows how to bring out your passionate side.
So, as part of getting clear about what you want in a man, consider using the great poets to help you understand what you really, really want.
