Some of the best and some of the worst poetry written over the centuries has been love poetry – but even the very worst of it was bound to have made somebody very happy. Love poems are intensely personal. They are the perfect romantic gift because they show that the writer invested real time and effort, not just playing with words, but thinking about his or her beloved.
Men, especially, should consider writing something special for the special women in their lives. Men often have difficulty expressing their emotions verbally. Sitting down with a pen and paper for an hour or two and honestly working at emotional communication can deepen and improve even a longstanding relationship.
Since men usually need the most help, this article is directed to men writing for wives or sweethearts, but the principles apply for anybody in any romantic relationship – and, with minor adjustments, to anybody writing for any loved one, including parents, sons and daughters, siblings, and others.
Thinking About Love
Start by thinking of the happiest times you and your partner spent together, and make a list. Then imagine each of those occasions, one at a time, and try to isolate the emotions you were experiencing: joy, excitement, warmth, comfort, pride, etc. Note those feelings down on your list.
Think about the times you first were together, and the physical and mental effects you experienced. Did your heart beat faster? Did you feel that warm glow? Were you nervous, or tongue-tied? Was it hard to concentrate on other things because your thoughts kept going back to her, over and over? Add those things to the list.
Also list the things about her that appeal to you most – both physical characteristics and personality traits. Everybody likes to feel attractive, so everybody likes to be complimented.
Look over your lists. If you truly worked at it, you have the makings of a wonderful love letter — a catalog of ways and times she brought you great happiness. Put things in logical order, use descriptive language, and always focus always on her impact on you. Write it by hand on good quality paper, and it will be a hit. If you are more ambitious, though, make it into a poem.
Using Poetic Devices
Common poetic devices include meter, rhyme, alliteration, imagery, and simile or metaphor. You learned about them all in high school, but a quick review might be helpful. Try to include at least some of them:
-Meter is the rhythm of a poem, and it is the main thing that separates poetry from prose. Think of the way the lyrics of a song fit the rhythm of the music, and try getting your words to flow in a similar way.
-Rhyme is pleasant if you can manage it, but not necessary – and it just might distract you from what you really want to say. Don't force a rhyme scheme on your poem unless it actually makes the poem better.
-Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds, like the "s" sound in "softly sat beside me." It improves the sound of a poem, but should not be overused.
-Imagery is using words to appeal to the senses, evoking memories of sights, sounds, aromas, tastes, and tactile sensations. If you decide to describe some special shared experience, for example, try to include all the senses.
-Simile and metaphor are poetic ways of drawing comparisons – love as deep as the ocean, eyes that sparkle like the dew, etc. Try to think of some new ones, though, instead of just reusing the old clichés.
Good and Bad Love Poetry
Writing personalized poetry for someone you love is one of the few activities where you can expect an A for effort. The content matters far more than the skill or style – so even if the words are awkward and the meter uneven, it really is the thought that counts. Just the same, leave time for some editing and rewriting, and make your poem as polished as you possibly can.
Showing real effort means avoiding shortcuts, like borrowing lines from published poems and songs. Also, remember that she will want to show your poem to her friends, so use good judgment – sexy is fine, but explicit probably is not a good idea. Write in modern English – "thee" and "thou" just sound silly in a contemporary poem. Finally, be absolutely certain that if any humor creeps in it is self-deprecating, never aimed at your partner. Your objective is to convey how much you love, need, and appreciate her. Save the teasing for other occasions.
So sharpen your pencil, and get started! You can write a love poem – and when you see how much it pleases her, you will know it was well worth the effort.
Author Paul Nchemba
Men, especially, should consider writing something special for the special women in their lives. Men often have difficulty expressing their emotions verbally. Sitting down with a pen and paper for an hour or two and honestly working at emotional communication can deepen and improve even a longstanding relationship.
Since men usually need the most help, this article is directed to men writing for wives or sweethearts, but the principles apply for anybody in any romantic relationship – and, with minor adjustments, to anybody writing for any loved one, including parents, sons and daughters, siblings, and others.
Thinking About Love
Start by thinking of the happiest times you and your partner spent together, and make a list. Then imagine each of those occasions, one at a time, and try to isolate the emotions you were experiencing: joy, excitement, warmth, comfort, pride, etc. Note those feelings down on your list.
Think about the times you first were together, and the physical and mental effects you experienced. Did your heart beat faster? Did you feel that warm glow? Were you nervous, or tongue-tied? Was it hard to concentrate on other things because your thoughts kept going back to her, over and over? Add those things to the list.
Also list the things about her that appeal to you most – both physical characteristics and personality traits. Everybody likes to feel attractive, so everybody likes to be complimented.
Look over your lists. If you truly worked at it, you have the makings of a wonderful love letter — a catalog of ways and times she brought you great happiness. Put things in logical order, use descriptive language, and always focus always on her impact on you. Write it by hand on good quality paper, and it will be a hit. If you are more ambitious, though, make it into a poem.
Using Poetic Devices
Common poetic devices include meter, rhyme, alliteration, imagery, and simile or metaphor. You learned about them all in high school, but a quick review might be helpful. Try to include at least some of them:
-Meter is the rhythm of a poem, and it is the main thing that separates poetry from prose. Think of the way the lyrics of a song fit the rhythm of the music, and try getting your words to flow in a similar way.
-Rhyme is pleasant if you can manage it, but not necessary – and it just might distract you from what you really want to say. Don't force a rhyme scheme on your poem unless it actually makes the poem better.
-Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds, like the "s" sound in "softly sat beside me." It improves the sound of a poem, but should not be overused.
-Imagery is using words to appeal to the senses, evoking memories of sights, sounds, aromas, tastes, and tactile sensations. If you decide to describe some special shared experience, for example, try to include all the senses.
-Simile and metaphor are poetic ways of drawing comparisons – love as deep as the ocean, eyes that sparkle like the dew, etc. Try to think of some new ones, though, instead of just reusing the old clichés.
Good and Bad Love Poetry
Writing personalized poetry for someone you love is one of the few activities where you can expect an A for effort. The content matters far more than the skill or style – so even if the words are awkward and the meter uneven, it really is the thought that counts. Just the same, leave time for some editing and rewriting, and make your poem as polished as you possibly can.
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Showing real effort means avoiding shortcuts, like borrowing lines from published poems and songs. Also, remember that she will want to show your poem to her friends, so use good judgment – sexy is fine, but explicit probably is not a good idea. Write in modern English – "thee" and "thou" just sound silly in a contemporary poem. Finally, be absolutely certain that if any humor creeps in it is self-deprecating, never aimed at your partner. Your objective is to convey how much you love, need, and appreciate her. Save the teasing for other occasions.
So sharpen your pencil, and get started! You can write a love poem – and when you see how much it pleases her, you will know it was well worth the effort.
Author Paul Nchemba
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