It's Not That Bad #5: 7 poems on love, because it’s February
“there are times when / anything feels / like a love poem” — Linda Pastan
Happy Feb! We finally made it out of the longest January ever - albeit more broke, dry-skinned versions of ourselves. Proud of you!
Over the years I’ve written many a Valentines-think-piece, each reads as if it was written by a different person, because my opinion on the 14th of February has flip flopped back and forth. 2017 me thought it was purely commercial bullshit, driven by consumerism with no redeeming qualities, 2020-Chloe had less of a hard take, and chose to focus on self-love and feeling whole on your own, and now, in 2022, after a couple dumpster fire years, I’ve decided to embrace it. Despite its cheesiness, the ways it can isolate those not in relationships and for how it makes Instagram turn even more competitive, Valentine’s Day is a chance to celebrate love. And love isn’t commercial bullshit. And love deserves to be celebrated. Self-love, platonic love, romantic love. All the loves.
Below are a few of my favourite poems on love and Valentine’s Day. They serve as the perfect V-day card inscriptions.
Before you scroll on, I’d love to take this moment to ask you to head on over to Blood Moon Poetry Press and get yourself a copy of Trigger Warning, it is an anthology around sexual assault and voice that I had the privilege of Guest Editing, and all proceeds are going to Rape Crisis.
1. Love poem again, By Linda Pastan
There are times when
anything feels
like a love poem
standing on line at the post office
for instance
waiting to lick
a stamp
I will buy with
the last loose
change in my pocked
(my own Dan anointing
the envelope)
so I can send you
this message
2. Like You, By Roque Dalton, translated by Jack Hirschman
Like you I
love love, life, the sweet smell
of things, the sky-blue
landscape of January days.
And my blood boils up
and I laugh through eyes
that have known the buds of tears.
I believe the world is beautiful
and that poetry, like bread, is for everyone.
And that my veins don’t end in me
but in the unanimous blood
of those who struggle for life,
love,
little things,
landscape and bread,
the poetry of everyone.
3. Isn’t every love an unfinished love poem? By Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz
Praise the ear.
Praise the hair curling
around the ear.
Praise the music
we never turn on,
only make.
Praise the caps
of your shoulders, my lips
pressed against them.
Praise the poem
I was trying to finish
when you showed up
at my door.
4. Getting into Bed on a December Night, By Ellen Bass
When I slip beneath the quilt and fold into
her warmth, I think we are like the pages
of a love letter written thirty years ago that some aging god still reads each day
and then tucks back into its envelope.
5. Sunshine belt machine, By Sophie Robinson
happy valentines i am not
at my jazziest matching sweat
shirt hair in a cheerful pony so dirty
it would stay up by itself “i hope
you’re as good at sucking dick
as you are at being lonely” unknown
quantity of poems inside me unknown
quantity of living moments moon’s outside
almost full blood on my pillow
never these days
i take care of myself okay
like a baby something
like a mama something
& my eyes
dressed like candy
big as the moon
& it’s fine to be full
of pretty much anything
just for a while i love life i love being
alive one day after another
forever. what’s next.
6. Not Anyone Who Says, By Mary Oliver
Not anyone who says, “I’m going to be
careful and smart in matters of love,”
who says, “I’m going to choose slowly,”
but only those lovers who didn’t choose at all
but were, as it were, chosen
by something invisible and powerful and uncontrollable
and beautiful and possibly even
unsuitable —
only those know what I’m talking about
in this talking about love.
7. Things to always say in the moment, By Chloe Laws (that’s me).
I miss you
Thank you
I’m sorry I hurt you
I love you
You make me laugh more than anyone
This makes me uncomfortable
Stay a while longer
Could I get extra cheese on that
I love you
Text me when you get home safe
Are you really okay?
Let’s stay in touch
That dress is amazing
I love you
Actually, I will
I prefer when you do it like this
This situation makes me anxious
I’m not feeling completely like myself
I love you
I want to leave now
You’ve made my day
Can you not cut my hair any shorter?
I’m not being sensitive I’m just feeling
I love you
