Valentine’s Day is coming up soon, and what better way to show your love and appreciation than with a poem. We’re going to show you what it takes to write a love poem that will blow your loved one away, with examples and instructions. From historical poems that never age, to sweet and short poems, there are so many to admire and learn from.
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash.
Top 5 Famous Valentine’s Day Poems for Inspiration
1. “Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds” (Sonnet 116), by William Shakespeare (1564 –1616).
“Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds” by William Shakespeare is a famous love poem. Within this poem, Shakespeare dives into the connection formed between two people in love and explains how nothing can come between them. He continues on expressing how love is not weak and can stand the test of time.
2. “How Do I Love Thee,” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806 –1861).
“How Do I Love Thee” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a classic love poem. This poem is a bit more straightforward than Shakespeare’s, focusing more on rhythm and rhymes with true love in mind.
It’s great to take inspiration from Browning’s poem as she begins her lines with all the way she loves her significant other. If you’re looking at writing your loved one a poem, it is a great way to list all (or some of, as this may be a very long list) the ways you love them. Even if it doesn’t rhyme, it is the perfect way to make this a very special Valentine’s Day for them.
3. “10 Things I Hate About You.”
This iconic poem from 10 Things I Hate About You, is a reversed romantic poem. If you’ve seen the movie, you will probably understand why I also cry every time I hear this poem.
In this poem, all the things Katarina hates about her love interest are listed, which she addresses some of their issues, but resolves it in the last segment, saying she doesn’t hate them at all. This poem is sincere, and although the author doesn’t list all the way she loves them, it remains a true romantic statement showing she does care deeply about them.
4. “When You Are Old,” by William Butler Yeats.
Yes, don’t worry. I am also currently reaching for a tissue after reading this poem.
Another beautiful romantic love poem is When You Are Old by William Butler Yeats. Peering into the future is romantic and saying you’ll still care for your loved one, no matter how old you are, is a truly romantic statement.
Thinking of growing old with someone shows you want them in your life for eternity and shows you’re confident in the relationship. In this poem, Yeats explores ideas of love beyond physical attraction, expressing love for their soul and will love them even as they age.
5. “A Hope That Will Not Lead Me Astray,” by Alexandra Vasiliu.
Our fifth and final poem for this article is “A Hope that Will Not Lead Me Astray” by Alexandra Vasiliu. This poem gives you a taste for short and sweet poems, which are great for first-time poem writers.
Expressing love for someone doesn’t have to be a long, rhyme-induced poem that’s absolutely perfect. Writing any sort of poem is a romantic gesture and short and sweet poems will still sweep them off their feet.
How to write your own Valentine’s Day Poem
Power Poetry recommends basing your poem off your feelings and what comes to your mind when you think of your loved one. Once you have an idea of the theme of your poem, you can start structuring your ideas. Some inspiration to include in your poems:
- Try to list a few of the things you love about them, then try to make it flow.
- When you first met/ first date / when you knew you loved them.
- Use similes [a figure of speech which compares two things to give a deeper meaning to a description (e.g. she was as sharp as a knife)], metaphors [a figure of speech that compares two things which are not alike (e.g. heart of gold)] or romantic comparisons.
- Ensure it still sounds natural and like you. Don’t stray too far from your normal tone of voice.
- Try to rhyme where you can, but don’t stress about basing the poem on rhyming.
So, after reading our examples and tips, it’s time to start experimenting and writing your own poem for your loved one this Valentine’s Day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Valentine’s Day
What day is Valentine’s Day 2021?
Sunday, Feb 14th 2021.
What are some easy Valentine’s Day gifts?
- Poems!
- Flowers (or a plant).
- Chocolates.
- Movie tickets.
- Tickets to a concert or sporting game.
- Skincare.
How did Valentine’s Day start?
There are various theories about how this romantic day began and most point to the ancient Romans. One popular theory is Valentine’s Day originated from ancient Rome, when two men both named Valentine were executed on 14 February of different years by Emperor Claudius II in the 3rd century A.D. It’s believed they were celebrated with St. Valentine’s Day and the Roman festival Lupercalia.
The Roman festival Lupercalia occurred annually from 13-15 Feb, when names of girls were placed in a box, which boys then drew from. After drawing a name, the boy and girl would be a couple for the day and in some cases, get married.
Looking to buy materials for your Valentine’s Day poem? You can find all your supplies at craft stores on Localsearch.com.au.
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