Over the years, I’ve written my wife poems for anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, and just because. Today’s poem (which will be in my upcoming book, The Anonymity of Waiting) was written around the time of our 25th anniversary. It didn’t end up being an anniversary gift because I felt it lacked the gravitas equal to such an occasion (plus, I forgot to give it to her for awhile 😬😆). In any case, I eventually got it to her and, I think, she eventually enjoyed it.
Those familiar with poetry will notice that most of the lines are adapted from other famous love poems; everyone from Shakespeare to Poe to Plath is represented. Naturally, it’s a sonnet, a form that Shakespeare and others made almost synonymous with love poems. Anyway, I hope readers will enjoy this frolic.
The Practical Poet’s Guide to Love
I won’t compare thee to a summer’s day
or itemize a list to count the ways
I love thee. And God forbid I think I made
you up inside my head or pace half crazed
while raving to a raven perched above
a grave bust of Pallas. Hamlet said love
increased its appetite by what it fed
on. I won’t cannibalize that thought. Instead,
I’ll say if poor poets like me had money,
we’d put it where our mouths are rather than
whispering riddles to the wind in hopes
that fragrant, cinnamon sentiment floats
to one we crave and wakens craving in
them too for nectar far more rich than honey.
A Wandering Minstrel 