Poetry Inspired by Love Letters & Courtship Stories
Every love story is worth telling. In poetry, it can live forever.
I created the graphic shown above. The photo is a negative image of my maternal grandmother sitting on a Virginia lawn sometime in the 1930s. The backdrop is a copy of one of many letters my grandfather wrote to her before they were married. He was away in the service, and the longing he expressed for her company was tangible.
“Love has always found its voice through poetry. Long before text messages and social media, couples exchanged handwritten letters filled with hope, longing, and devotion. These personal messages, sometimes preserved for generations, offer glimpses into the heart’s truest expressions. When transformed into poetry, love letters and courtship stories become timeless tributes, and they connect us to the emotions of those who lived and loved before us. Whether you’re a poet, a genealogist, or someone who cherishes family history, these stories offer a beautiful way to explore love across time.”
This week’s article at Goin’ Poetic provides links to two handfuls of poems that focus on love and relationships. You can read those missives and learn how some poets (and even the authors of the Bible) waxed poetic about love. You’ll also find a checklist to follow when you begin to write those poems about your ancestors’ connections. You can write about a courtship, a romance, a marriage, or your gratitude that they were part of the long legacy of creating you.
If you do write a poem, please share it with me in the comments, either here or at the blog!