Heartstrings: Weaving Love Poems
Chapter 03 - Pen, Paper, & Heart Vol. 01
In found poetry, the theme of love presents an expansive and diverse canvas, echoing the depth and breadth of the emotion itself.
From tender whispers of affection to the profound echoes of heartbreak, love-themed poems derived from existing texts probe deep into the core of human connections, encapsulating the multifaceted nature of love in all its forms.
This exploration not only uplifts the beauty and happiness love brings but also recognizes its intricacies and the trials that may accompany it.
Through this artistic process, found poetry offers a unique lens to view love's rich tapestry, highlighting its capacity to transform, challenge, and enrich our lives, painting a vivid narrative that resonates with the universal journey of love.
My Shining Morning
Return to me my shining morning,
punish me not a mournful eye.
With tender cheeks
she fell and rose in rejoice.
As her hands in flight
reached my neck,
I fell in silent lament.
Return to me my shining morning,
punish me not a mournful eye.
Having recovered,
for now,
our spring filled eyes,
we fled to golden mountains.
With a degree of composure
we ate our fill
and repaired her beautiful mind.
Return to me my shining morning,
punish me not a mournful eye.
But not far off
they called her return-
a sharp knife and burning grieve
inflicting her golden face.
I called her fallen tender wings,
"fly now, resist, and rejoice,
and behold my love in your mind."
And return to me my shining morning,
punish me not a mournful eye.
A Tapestry of Connections
Love's vast spectrum extends beyond the romantic realm, embracing the profound ties of family, the treasured bonds of friendship, and the touching truth of loss.
Found poetry provides a unique medium for poets to delve into these aspects of love, using a lens that accentuates both its universal and intimate characteristics.
By sourcing from a wide array of texts, we can craft works that echo the collective experiences of love, striking a chord with readers from varied backgrounds.
Rich Sources of Inspiration
The resources for crafting love-themed poems are as limitless as the emotion itself.
Timeless literary classics deliver enduring expressions of love and longing,
while personal letters and diaries offer windows into the private feelings and thoughts of individuals.
Even mundane exchanges, whether direct conversations or overheard dialogues, can unearth deep insights into love's essence.
These varied inputs merge under the poet's creative touch, evolving into fresh stories that honor love's lasting impact on human life.
"Heartstrings" in Found Poetry
Through the art of found poetry, the intricate beauty of love is illuminated, piecing together expressions from different eras and contexts to encapsulate love's true spirit.
By repurposing existing texts, poets guide us across the emotional terrain of the heart, showcasing love's ability to elevate, mend, and occasionally harm.
These compositions serve as affirmations of love's influential force, mirroring its foundational place in the human saga that unites us.
Behind the Scenes Example
"My Shining Beauty"
"Beautiful Misfortunes"
"My Shining Morning" showcases the remarkable potential of revisiting the same source material to unearth new creative treasures. This approach underscores the value of extracting as much inspiration as possible from a given text, a skill that enhances with practice.
The challenge of limiting oneself to a handful of main sources highlights the importance of this technique.
By deconstructing the original text, it becomes possible to reconstruct its elements in a way that aligns with one's unique voice and vision.
It's important to recognize that the depth of your source material can influence the scope of your creativity, but it shouldn't be seen as a barrier.
In the process of crafting "My Shining Morning," the absence of words like “tearful” or “crying” led to the serendipitous use of “mournful” and “spring filled,” each adding a richer, more vivid layer to the poem's imagery.
The key takeaway is to immerse yourself in the creative process, explore the limits of your poetic capabilities, and remember to share your discoveries along the way.
This journey not only fosters personal growth but also contributes to the vibrant tapestry of the found poetry community.
Stay Poetic!
Source Material: Bulfinch, Thomas. “Bulfinch’s Mythology: Stories of Gods and Heroes.”, Canterbury Classics, 2015, pp. 93