Shakespeare poems that’ll awaken the lover in you

Underestimate the power of poetry? Write a note for the one you love this Valentine’s day with a little inspiration from a Shakespearean sonnet or two…

Sonnet 241

The planets move inside my ancient heart;

I sense them burning brightly as they go;

The vastness of their bodies love can chart,

Within the mindful emptiness I know.

Do not displace the music from mine ears;

Whatever I must suffer, love or tears,

The essence of my better self remains.

These poems are not perfect, nothing be,

As such, I see perfection in their errs;

The lights are coming closer, do you see?

The star of our destruction horror scares.

The universe will frown at heaven’s crime;

The bells of ceaseless steel mark his time.

Sonnet 425

I wait for you to say the word, my sweet;

Perhaps I judge you ill, but since your lips

Have nibbled both on fear and passion’s meat,

I must observe engagement’s rules and tips:

A little mark of doubt did come to pass,

And though it as no major flag of red,

I still am trained to look through filtered glass

For any sign of danger, as I tread.

Yet, having said all that, your every line,

Now whispered to me, far across the earth,

Suggests I should suspect a love divine;

That we may more than practise giving birth.

I know this fact: pure beauty is your face,

But should my art demand, I ne’er replace.

Check out Ryan J-W Smith’s 500 Shakespearean Sonnets at ryanjwsmith.com