Writing Poetry

My deep philosophical thought for this...decade I guess, is that love is like writing poetry. No seriously, go with me on this one, just for a minute.

Remember back in grade school when your assignment was to write poetry of some kind? Whether it was a haiku, an acrostic, a couplet, or a sonnet, the moment you were required to write one, you couldn't. The problem wasn't always coming up with things to say. It was making what you had to say fit into a specific form. In the same way, love can't be forced to fit a certain mold. The moment you are expected to provide it, you are unable to do so. It's not that you can't love, the problem is making it fit the expectations. It doesn't ever look the same, and expecting love to always be a perfect 5-7-5 haiku is naive.

Poetry writing is also hard to force. Sometimes it's there and it flows out of you creating something unique and beautiful. Other times, you sit staring at a blank page for hours on end without anything coming out. Trying to force poetry will only cause frustration. Similarly, love can't be forced. Nor should it be. When it's there, it will flow out of you and create something unique and beautiful. Trying to force love can only bring frustration.

Writing poetry isn't a surface hobby. Poetry can be simple, light and fun, but there is always an underlying deeper emotion. Poetry is best, is most meaningful, when it comes from deep within your soul. Love isn't a surface emotion. It can be simple, light and fun, but it is only real when it comes from deep within you.

Poetry exposes you. Because poetry comes from within you, it exposes part of who you are every time you write something. Poetry isn't about hiding, it's not about being on your own, it's not meant to be kept to yourself. Love also exposes you. Loving people isn't about hiding, it's not about being alone, and it certainly isn't meant to be kept to yourself.

Writing poetry is a lot like love. It doesn't always happen when you want it to. But when inspiration hits, when love comes, it can't be stopped. You might wait days, months, or even years. But just like the paper is always ready to have something written on it, your heart will always be ready to be invaded by love.