How to write a love poem that speaks from the heart

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, you might still be searching for a meaningful gift for your loved one. Something more personal than flowers or chocolates. What if you could give them something timeless? Something that will capture your feelings in a way no store-bought gift ever could?

A self-written love poem.

There is nothing more intimate than a handwritten declaration of love, a piece of your heart put into words. Whether it is about your love story, a secret confession, or even a wedding proposal hidden within the poem. Poetry allows you to speak with an open heart and honestly express how you feel. Unlike roses that wither or chocolates that disappear, a love poem will last forever.

Poetry has always been the language of love. From Shakespeare to Rumi, from Pablo Neruda to E.E. Cummings, lovers throughout history have turned to poetry to express what their hearts could not contain. If your heart is bursting with love for someone, then let it pour in a beautiful, meaningful, and poetic way. 

But how do you write a love poem that feels personal, honest, and unmistakably yours?

Picture source: Debby Hudson on Unsplash

1) Write it like only you could have written it!

Instead of focusing on love in the broad, general sense, make your love poem more intimate by writing about the actual person you love. 

Start off by making a small list of things only you would notice. And yes, it is all in the details when it comes to making this list.

You could think of their eyes and just say “You have beautiful eyes!” Instead, go for a more in-depth description. What mesmerizes you about their color? What do they remind you of? Or maybe the way the light hits them when they are met with wonder? 

Here are some easy exercises to try out: 

• Try making a sensory list of memories (the way their hair smells when they hug you, how their laughter sounds when they are clearly overtired, the lingering scent of their hoodie that is always lying around, or the soft humming when you hear them singing in the shower)

• Create a list of a few songs, flowers, weather patterns, nature elements, or objects that remind you of them. Try to explain why they remind you of them in a more poetic form. Extra special, if these are some of their own favorites!

• What is something only you would know? Maybe a nickname, an inside joke, or a phrase that only the two of you say

  
  

These small, intimate details will make out the heart of the poem. A deeply personal connection penned down in the written word. And honestly, everyone appreciates it when someone truly notices them, especially the small, quirky details that make out who we are. 

2) Let the ordinary things become the poetry.

Love is not only in the grand moments of life. It really thrives in those small, easy, and quiet moments shared between two people. The mundane moments of daily life that we don't always notice until we actually seek them out. Poetry can be found in the way they make your coffee just perfect, or how they leave the lights on because they know you are afraid in the dark. It is in the way they dance when no one is watching or how they will always text you to make sure you got home safe after a night out.

• Spend a day simply observing. What are the little things they do that make your world brighter and better? Then, weave some of those into your poem.

Intimacy is often found in those moments when we think no one is watching. These small moments are the real poetry of a love story.

Picture source: Olga Shashkina on Unsplash

3) Don’t overthink it!

When people hear the word “Poetry”, they often think of complicated rhyme schemes, structured sonnets, and fancy, big words. But the best love poems don’t need to be perfect. They just need to be honest.

Now, I am no Shakespeare myself but that has not stopped me from writing love poems, and neither should it for you. Forget about the flowery words, the forced rhymes, or searching on a thesaurus to put in some big words they know you looked up. Just speak from the heart without all these rules and see what pours out. Just like love, authenticity is all a poem really needs. 

• Write your first draft without worrying about rules. Let it be messy and raw. Afterward, do an edit and weave it into a poem.

• Don’t put too much pressure on yourself about the length of your poem. So much can be said in only a few words. 

• Using cliches can make your poem feel less personal unless you add your own twist to it. 

• And if you love wordplay, puns, or humor, then don’t be afraid to include them! A love poem should always feel like you.

  
  

4) Now for the courageous part!

Writing the poem is one thing. Giving it to the person you love? That takes courage. But love itself is an act of courage. The words on the page already hold everything that your heart wants to say. 

So take a deep breath. Fold the paper. Send the text. Whisper the words. 

Because there is nothing more beautiful than telling someone:

Here. This is how I see you, and I love you just the way you are.

I hope these tips will help you on your way to writing your own love poem for your special one.

I would love to hear from you if you gifted someone a personal and timeless love poem! Please let me know in the comments!

If you found these tips and exercises helpful, consider subscribing to the newsletter for more easy writing tips.

Thank you so much for reading and engaging! I am grateful for all your loving support. 

Sending all my love,

CoraLynn

Ps: On Valentine's Day, I will be sharing some fun and creative writing prompts for you to play with. Anyone joining in on the event and writing for the prompts will also be featured on my Instagram stories during the Valentine's weekend. I hope to see you there!