Explore poetry for sentiments of love

"How do I Love thee? Let me count the ways." - Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Come Valentine's Day, many people feel compelled to spout words of love to those they care about. However, it may have been some time since they engaged in a little creative writing. The option to select a mass-produced, store-bought card instead can be very tempting.

Poetry has long been the means to deliver words of affection. Throughout history poets have professed desire and love through the stanzas of their poems. From Emily Dickinson to W.H. Auden to Lord Byron to The Bard himself, William Shakespeare, many writers can base a portion of their fame on memorable love poems.

There are many different types of poems, but it doesn't take a lot of knowledge to produce an amateur attempt at a love poem this Valentine's Day. Here are some of the better-known types of poetry and their rudimentary components.

Acrostic: This type of poem is one in which the first letter of each line of poetry spells out its own word. These types of poems are often written based on a person's name or a sentiment, such as love.

Ballad: A short narrative poem that features stanzas of two or four lines with a refrain. The last words of the second and fourth lines often rhyme.

Epic: This type of poem is a long narrative usually celebrating the adventures and achievements of a hero.

Epigram: If your Valentine has a sense of humor, try an epigram. This poem is short and satirical, ending with a humorous statement or a sarcastic punchline.

Etheree: This poem is 10 lines, where each line has a certain number of syllables, from 1 in the first line to 10 in the last.

Free Verse: This type of poem does not have any specific rules, leaving the flow of words and line breaks entirely to the poet.

Haiku: This poetry is formed of unrhymed verses that follow the 5-7-5 pattern of syllables.

Limerick: Having originated in Limerick, Ireland, this is a rhymed humorous or nonsense poem of five lines.

Quatrain: A poem consisting of four lines of verse with a specific rhyming scheme.

Sonnet: This type of poetry features 14 lines in iambic pentameter with a particular rhyming scheme.

There are many different ways to express emotions through poetry. Explore the different styles and find one that fits for you.