by Marijane Suttor

Created on: September 20, 2008   Last Updated: June 25, 2010

Receiving a personal written love poem can be a wonderful and memorable gift.  It shows that the writer took the time and care to pen something especially for that one significant person. Unfortunately many love poems tend to be less than the greatest works of poetical genius.

These are seven tips for writing a highly effective short love poem.

Length

Consider a length of 12-18 lines to be appropriate length. If the poem is too short it will appear to be shallow and lack substance. If it is too lengthy, the loved one won't to take the time to read it. Keep the length in mind right from the start. Common love poems are written as sonnets, which have 14 lines.

Rhyme.

One of the most common mistakes that people trying to write love poems make is using a sing-song rhyming that makes the verse seem frivolous and empty. If this is going to be a genuine poem of genuine emotion, avoid the cheap rhymes. Consider using a rhyme scheme abab/cdcd/efef/gg as is often used in a traditional sonnet.

Versions of "Roses are red...”

Spare the loved one any type of version on this classic trite verse. No one wants to hear "Roses are red/Violets are blue/Will you me wed/Before I get the flu". It is forcing the message into a trite overused rhyme and although cute, it is a groaner, which will not impress the reader.

Metaphors and Similes

Selective and creative uses of comparisons can paint the picture of your love. Just make sure that the painting is the one you want. Don't compare your love to an old stinky gym sock that you hang onto for luck or that your heart beats like the roar of a NASCAR race. They just are not images that the loved one want associated with the emotion of love. Choose images that will have positive and romantic connotations.

Too many conflicting images.

Sometimes the flaw is that the poet is so filled with emotions and great ideas that it never gets limited down. It isn't a good idea to cram every good idea into one poem. Consider the possibility of writing more poems further down the line. If possible, just use one theme and develop images from that theme. If your love is being compared to a hummingbird, use words associated only with that theme such as: sweet allure; fast beating; hovering close; tasting the sweet nectar of his or her kiss.

Presentation

Consider how the love poem will be given to the loved one. The greatest poem ever could be written on a Buffalo wing stained napkin, but the presentation loses its appeal. Follow through with the presentation. Avoid torn pieces of notebook papers, napkins, grocery sacks and so on. Although handwritten always trumps typed on a computer. A poem that is handwritten demonstrates personal feelings. The material that it is written on reflects thought and effort. Consider tying the presentation to the theme. Give a little figurine of a hummingbird along with the poem themed with a hummingbird or use a permanent marker and write the poem on a leaf.

Time to rest

Give the poem time to rest. Don't write it minutes before you want to give it to someone. It is important to let the poem rest for a day or two and then look at it with fresh eyes. Sometimes more reasonable heads prevail in time and that's when the alarm bells ring on the gym sock love poem. It is always good to come back and look at the poem later.

Writing a love poem can be a treasured and heartfelt gift. Slip a love poem under a loved one's pillow or on the steering wheel of his or her car. Leave a love note in their lunch bag or even text it on their cell phone with a picture of you as a couple. Whatever the place or the occasion, love poems can be a great way to share emotions with the one you love.

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