How to Write Love Poems

Go where love leads

Love has a multiplicity, complexity and diversity of expression found in love poems.

"How can I write love poems?" an aspiring love poet might ask.

How to write love poems is a question that true love poets don't need to ask. They just write. Many of them prefer not to divulge the 'how to write' aspects of their love poetry, because they would rather write love poetry, than write about it.

Here are some guidelines on how to write love poems.

Focus on the topic of love.

Focusing on the topic of love and only on love is important for a poet who aspires to write love poems.

For example, if a poet chooses to write about his or her love for horses, then it is not appropriate to focus on the beauty of the mountains. The beauty of the mountains might fit into the poem somewhere, but the primary focus should be on the love for horses.

Portray the fragility of love.

Love is a fragile commodity that cannot be bought or sold. Everyone needs love. The fragility of love allows room for tenderness, compassion and mercy which every reader desires to have in his or her life. The moment that a poet opens that doorway, the reader is enticed to read on. It is as if his or her heart finds something that he or she has been wanting, needing or seeking. Thus, portraying the fragility of love in love poetry, becomes an effective mode of expression and communication.

For example, a piece of poetry entitled "Hungry Child" has the potential of awakening love and its future implications, with respect to the reader's love for children, everywhere. The inspired reader may choose to act according to his or her capacity to love and demonstrate that love in terms of compassion, by feeding hungry children.

Manifest the strength of love.

Part of the strength of love has to do with its inherent power. Love is extremely potent in its own way. Trying to find the best way to express that power can challenge to the love poet. Love can be covered over, but it can never be erased. Perhaps that is one of love's secrets and it is what allows love poetry to dimino and stand the test of time. So, when writing love poetry, use imagery that manifests its strengths. The reader will grasp its strengths and cling to them, as he or she clings to life itself, by a lifeline.

For example, consider writing a poem about love and its manifestations from generation to generation. Every person can relate to that, either in terms of its presence or its absence. Love binds the generation and bridges the generational gap. Love is the lifeline, even when it seems to be only a thread.

Awaken love within the reader.

Every reader of poetry has love within himself or herself, though he or she may not realize that reality. What is needed by the reader is an awakening of that love, from deep within his or her heart. The words a love poet writes have the same kind of inherent potential that a smoldering spark has, even while it lies dormant in the ashes of life. Once the flame of love is kindled, the fire will grow. Fanning that flame and fueling the fire is important.

For example, write about the bright side of love, in contrast to its dark side. Which one will rise to the surface? Of course, it will be the one that the love poet depicts as being awakened.

Light rises; darkness falls.
Love wins; hate loses.

Reveal love's vulnerability.

Opening the door of hospitality to strangers with your poem, reveals love's most vulnerable side. It allows room for the dark side of humanity to be at its worst, but the interaction of the black and white allows for the possibility of color in your poetry.

For example, consider the following piece of poetry:

Love says,
"Come to me,"
Man answers,
"No, I am afraid."
He turns his back on love.
"I will always love you."

This piece of poetry invites a total stranger to come. What happens? This could turn into the most perfect love poem ever written. Or, it could result in a total disaster, as love is rejected. Love exposes the critical element of vulnerability in this love poem. Rejection is the hardest thing of all for man to deal with, but is man rejected by love? No, man rejects love's invitation. The color that lives on depends upon the interpretation of the reader.

Let your imagery sparkle.

Love poetry has imagery constituted of mere words. Vibrant, colorful words can be used in a way that transforms the darkness of the blackest night into an amazing scenario, with the power to surpass the most vivid imagination.

For example, if you are writing love poetry that has stars in it, let them the most wonderful, magnificent stars that you can possibly imagine. "Omnipotent Star of Beauty" would be a good title to write on, or "The Epitome of Love".

Following these guidelines will help you, as a love poet, to enhance your love poetry. Go where love leads and celebrate its multiplicity, complexity and diversity of expression. You can succeed as a love poet.