Writing Love Poetry: Part 2

Love Poetry - original poem included:  The Interesting Man

In the first article - Writing Love Poetry - there was an example given of how to write about love in an indirect manner. It demonstrated a way that was more subtle than the obvious loudly expressive passionate declaration of love so commonly written in the past century of notable literature. That poem depicted in a unique way the unusual relationship between long-married people who were complete opposites.

Romance Poetry

According to the Romance Writers of America site romance writing basically qualifies if it has a love story as the main focus of the write. Most romance writing relies heavily upon the belief of emotional justice - that good people are rewarded and evil people are punished. The lovers are supposed to struggle for each other and demonstrate unconditional love. Also, the ending must be optimistic and emotionally satisfying for the reader. In the past decade the definition in the romance writing world has changed a lot and become a less restrictive and predictable formula. More complex characters and plot lines have finally developed along with historical and futuristic settings. This isn't your grandmother's romance writing anymore.

Before you scoff and scowl much more consider just how large a business romance writing truly is. The 2007 statistics are that romance fiction generated close to $1.4 billion in sales compared to $819 million for religion/inspirational, a close second. Almost 8100 titles were released that same year. One in five people who read books in 2007 read a romance novel. Romance novels made up the biggest fiction category too. Romance readers are so demanding they keep the publishers hopping to please. They want new writers on a regular basis.

Romance is another concept of love poetry to consider writing. Romance is generally defined as a brief intense love affair where the relationship is often idealized because it is exciting. Romance writing often expresses or evokes tender emotions. True, this is also an area known as chic novels. Your writing doesn't have to be the drug store version that gets churned out for mass consumption and summer beach reading. Write a short poetry version. You would be surprised how many ways you can interpret romance. In the following poem I considered romance poetry as a prolonged tension-filled tease.

Last summer I experienced an unusual and intense romance. That man was so charming and magnetic that he had me at Hello! It isn't what you consider to be the usual romance - or is it? Read on and enjoy a good chuckle. I know that intense moment stayed with me for so long that I had to write about that shameless pick-up artist. I met him at an outdoor food market one early August summer morning.

An interesting man I one day met

Downtown he lazily strolled near

The Saturday morning food market

He was long retired, happily

He took his well muscled relaxing ease

He eyed all the prettiest ladies

His attention rested first upon me

Other women took notice of us

Magnetized, a horde drifted our way

Loving his chilled demeanor we remarked

A steady gaze he wore like a fine silk suit

Ethan was his name

Ethan loved women

And women loved Ethan

Many men, riveting their gaze,

Feeling threatened and

Too curious, turned our way,

"Who is this guy causing such a stir?"

As the crowd swelled more

In a tight and intimate embrace

I cupped my hand to his throat

Ethan shifted his weight obligingly

He leaned into me, eagerly greeting my hand

"He's a leaner," offered his embarrassed young friend

Again, and again, I stroked Ethan ever so gently

A woman in the growing crowd loudly declared,

Certainly for All too loudly well heard,

"So, you say he's retired from the race track?

And a Red Brindle Greyhound breed at that?!"

Ethan grinned.

That famous Greyhound smiling grin.

Ethan loved women

And women,

Well,

We loved Ethan.

Sigh...

Denny Lyon

Copyright 2009

All Rights Reserved 

Note: Please consider adopting a former racetrack greyhound. They are generally retired at ages 2 - 5 years old, affectionate and good with older children. Some are high energy and some are mellow temperaments. They tend not to suffer from hip dysplasia like other tall breeds and live long, up to 14 years. You never know, you might get lucky and find another confident chilled guy like Ethan!

For more greyhound facts:

http://www.recycledracers.org/FAQ/faq.html

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Blogs by Denny Lyon

The Social Poets - a blog to read poetry, nonjudgmental place for aspiring writers, also online coffeehouse for discussing the social issues in a convivial atmosphere.

The Soul Calendar- wondering about the Universe without as well as within: psychology, astronomy, neuroscience, physics and more.

The Healing Waters - a welcoming place to stress down and approach health from many angles, healthy recipes too.

*** Thank you for visiting and a big thank you to HubPages, Yahoo, Google, AOL, Facebook, Mister Wong and StumbleUpon readers for all your great support!

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More Poetry Articles by Denny Lyon

Writing Humor Poetry - Too often poetry is used to exclusively express exultation or terrible sadness. Humor can also be considered as more than a comedic rhyme. Ancient teachings: Humor is good for the soul and brings the gift of merriment to the heart. Why not try your hand at an amusing poem to lift your heart?

Writing Love Poetry (part one) - This first article about love poetry is another writing idea of how to approach the vast subject of a love relationship from the perspective of "opposites attract." This is a subtly techniqued exampled of declaring love.

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Photo Credits

Please take a moment to view the generous photographers over at flickr who make their work available freely for online content writers. They are delightful people with a wide variety of photos for everyone to enjoy so take a look! The following links will get you to their personal pages at flickr:

Photo by Kjunstorm at flickr - Great Flamingos

Photo by linda yvonne at flickr - cardinals in love

Photo by Lin Pernille at flickr - L - O - V - E

Photo by notsogoodphotography at flickr - couple in love, sunset at beach

Photo by Abhi at flickr - circled Love graphic

Photo by liza31337 at flickr - brindle greyhound

Photo by oceanfrog at flickr (no longer flickr member) - white faced greyhound