Just recently I have submerged my hunger for love into a romantic collection of 17th-19th century poems and Love Letters by 'Everyman's Library Pocket Poetry.' Written words ranging from great poets such as John Keats to the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. As of late I have taken time away with these love letters, filled a bath, lit candles, turned on music and have had a glimpse into the love life of many. It's a beautiful thing to be on the 'outside' of love per say...to be a witness to that which people share so deeply, intensely, & unselfishly. I believe that along the way to our 20th century travels our passion for love has been slowly shaved away by overwhelming schedules and unending reliance of technology. It's not that we don't feel love or passion for someone, it's that we are so wrapped up in the daily nuisance of living the demanding schedule lined in our blackberrys or iPhones, that we forget what it's like to properly process and express our feelings. We've lost simplicity. For example, most text messages are a summary of a larger message we want to send. We've lost our luster for sweet verbiage, expression of the want that should bleed from our ball point pens. I'm terribly saddened that letter writing has almost become a thing of the past. Letters are such a personal piece of an individual. WORDS hold power & meaning, especially when written on a piece of paper that can preserve a message for ages. Even the interpretation of the receiver's perspective of the deliverer's handwriting...the way he dots his 'i's', the way she signs her name...all precious land marks on the page for the beholder's keeping. The allure of every written detail. Not to mention the small detail that most men and women refuse to divulge such feelings on paper. God forbid the person doesn't reciprocate your love letter, right? Are you a fool for putting your heart on paper? If you ask my opinion, I say NEVER a fool is the one who lives by passion and holds not a care of human mockery, nor rejection. I have made a fool of myself many times by being an open festering wound for love but the person I express it to never has to go to their grave wondering how I felt for them. So I ask you, who should you profess your love for on paper? Don't let fear keep you from sharing what's inside. Vulnerability has been covered in reckless pride. Be open, be free. Maybe even release your first letter into the wind...it's good practice because once you give the words away, they belong to the one who receives it! LET IT GO! Ah, 'tis a sweet thing. I'm a corny person and I DON'T care! Hahah.
Here's a few excerpts from different love letters in 'Every Man's Library Pocket Poets':
Bernard Shaw to Stella Cambell February 14, 1913
'I must break myself of this: there is some natural magic in it, some predestined adorability for me in you, that makes me quite reckless when I am within reach of you...'
John Keats to Fanny Brawne October 19, 1819
'My Creed is love and you are its only tenet. You have ravished me away by a power I cannot resist; and yet I could resist until I saw you; and even since I have seen you I have endeavoured often 'to reason against the reasons of my Love'. I can do that no more-the pain would be too great. My love is selfish. I cannot breathe without you.'
Napoleon Bonaparte to Josephine Bonaparte 1796
'The day you say 'I love you less', will mark the end of my love and the last day of my life. If my heart were base enough to love without being loved in return I would tear it to pieces.'
Gustave Flaubert to Louise Colet September 18,1846
'You have awakened all that was slumbering, or perhaps decaying, within me!'
Katherine Mansfield 1918
'you might drop your heart into me & you'd never hear it touch bottom.'
