This column by Tom Radzienda, an instructor in poetry and culture at Srinakharinwirot University, aims to encourage your interest and develop your skill in creating poetry. Poetry is a combination of visualisation, observation, imagination and creative use of language. Discover your poetic side, too!

February 11, 2003

I poetry you

How many ways are there to say, "I love you"? You’d better find an effective way because Valentine’s Day is just a heartbeat away and your sweetheart is waiting for the precise words to blossom from your lips. Now is the time to develop the skill of saying the world’s most important words. It's helpful to have a hundred different methods available, especially as the years pass, love evolves, and you become as creative with your love as you do with poetry. Try saying, "I love you" by using each of the following techniques and patterns.

Techniques for saying "I Love You"	Examples
With a simile	O my luve is like a red, red rose (Burns)
Through metaphor	My love is the wild horse…
Using personification	My love jumps…dances…swings…
Create a symbol	A single red rose by the open window…
Use words that alliterate with "l"	Love looks like lilies…
Use words that alliterate with "v"	Waves of love above the violet…
Use stressed syllables in the following pattern: strong, weak, weak; strong, weak, weak;	Love is a blessing of You upon Me
Use stressed syllables in the following pattern: weak, weak, strong; weak, weak, strong;	When I see that your love has arrived at my door
State your love backwards	You love I that know must you silence in even
Say "I Love You" upside down
Say "I Love You" with colours
Emulate the style of Percy Shelley	She breathes her beauty like the wind
Mimic the style of e.e. cummings	Love does up at me Leap piggling wiggling our toes
Say "I Love You" to every person you love

Genuine and authentic love

Writing a love poem for your beloved requires more than simply making sweet comparisons and using clever techniques. A great love poem includes genuine details about your beloved and your relationship. Genuine details make the poem much more authentic, memorable and unique.

Using genuine, actual details in a love poem makes every poem special and fresh (and impossible to write the same love poem for several different lovers). Authentic details help you demonstrate your appreciation and faithfulness to your truly beloved.

While there is still time before Valentines Day, or before your loved one’s next birthday, brainstorm details from your experience together.

Authentic memories	Place, Time, Description
The best holiday
The most enjoyable meal
The most unique place visited
The scariest moment
The craziest laugh
The darkest cry
What makes you proud of your beloved?
Describe your usual meeting place
Best feature of your beloved
Most exciting adventure
Where did you meet?
Describe your beloved’s hands
Describe your beloved’s smile

Constructing the poem

The construction of a poem requires careful and creative blending of authentic details with poetic devices. The exercises above help you collect the raw materials for your poem. Now put the elements of the poem together. Review your examples from above. Select and revise the best lines for your poem.

There are several options in constructing your love poem.

Write the poem in a sonnet of fourteen lines. Decide whether or not you want to rhyme the poem.
Create a "shape" poem. This could be done in the shape of a heart, your hand, or some other interesting shape that your beloved would appreciate.
Make a collage of items from recent dates together. Arrange various movie tickets, photos, brochures, etc. into a card and write your poem among these items. This will be much more personal and effective than pre-printed verses of love from the greeting card shop.
Some people send mass-produced greetings of love via electronic mail. Nice, but not very special. Design your own electronic card with your own authentic verse to send to your loved ones.
Read the poem aloud to your sweetheart. This is not an option, but a requirement. There is nothing more loving than the voice itself. This can also be done via Internet by attaching a voice file.

I poetry you

"I Poetry You" translates as "I Love You." Both expressions are deep within the heart of the poet. These suggestions should help you express your love towards the special people in your life.

Contact poet tree c/o
Learning Post
Eighth Floor Bangkok Post Building
136 Na Ranong
Klongtoey 10110, Bangkok

You can send your poem by email. Mark the subject line: Poet Tree and send to this address: learningpost@bangkokpost.co.th

Visit Tom's poetry column at www.bangkokpost.com/poetry

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