Early this year, I mentioned to Vicki that I had written 25 million words of journalism, memoir, fiction and radio scripts, but never a word of poetry.
“Perhaps you weren’t inspired,” was her simple response.
Since then, I have written 70 poems, about a third of them love poems to her. Who knew it was as easy as being inspired. My wife woke up my muse.
My wife is my primary audience, but I do not wish to overwhelm her. So, three days a week I leave a poem on her breakfast plate, alternating between originals by me and poems by her favorite poet, Rumi (although I still think “I’d like to do to you what spring does to cherry trees,” by Pablo Neruda, is the best love poem ever written. Kind of like the best short story ever: “For sale, one pair of baby shoes, never used.”)
I am not trying to brag, or even humble brag. I am suggesting you give this a try. Start putting out love poetry for your significant other, especially if it says things you feel but lack the words to say yourself. Like the effect I hope my love songs had on you and your mate. It doesn’t hurt to sing to them on occasion too (as I do), even if you “can’t sing.”
I am running out of Rumi and of new means to express and describe my Love. I may go into reruns.
A dear friend of long standing responded when I said that:
“I trust you will never run out of means...your heart is boundless for your Beloved ... & beautiful love poetry throughout the ages could never grow old .. .& can be summoned with a magic wand...”
One other note. If you look at the top of the right hand column of this blog, you will see you two love songs. I paid a man to put my love poetry to music.
It reminded my daughter Rae of a scene in Jane Austen‘s Emma, in which Mr. Martin has the shepherd’s son sing to Miss Harriet Smith. My wife noted I am acting in the same tradition as mariachi bands, whom you pay to sing to your lover, except I write the lyrics.
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