Writers Collective: Love Poems
by Enmanuel Candelario | originally posted on March 8, 2010
February is both Black History Month as well as the month of love. So it was a great time for the Writers Collective to read Nikki Giovanni’s “Love Poems.” Being inspired by Giovanni’s poems, members of Writers Collective wrote poems based on the lines of their favorites from the book.
A popular line that many of the writers connected with was “and i’ve begun/(as a reaction to a feeling)/to balance/the pleasure of loneliness/against the pain/of loving you” from the poem Balances. They spoke to many of the complex relationships that young people face, like loving someone who takes you for granted or disrespects you. The exercise was the perfect occasion for the members of Writers Collective (WC) to explore their expectations for and as girlfriends, boyfriends, and partners, and to lay the foundation for healthy relationships. Some of these poems are about innocent high school crushes, and some give poignant insight into long-term relationships. All of the poems demonstrate WC’s talent at wordsmithing and speaks to their development as reflective, thoughtful, and loving young people.
“Love Poems” by Writers Collective:
a small collection dedicated to all our family and loved ones.
One is to four
As 1 is to love
One is to three
As three is to you
I love you equals being scared
Scared is to hope
That love will never let go
Letting go sometimes is better
Then to hold on is to give up
But moving on leads to learning
And discovering that true love will soon come
Kisbel Garcia
I have seen beauty at its fullest,
I have stood at the face of the omniscient god,
Shaken hands with the devil,
Surrounded by the darkness,
Yet I walk in the light,
I have touched the stars
And I have left footsteps on the moon.
Moon walked over the surface of the sun,
Smiled at the point of death,
Yet it can’t compare
To one look, one glance, one touch.
She washes my pain away,
With small gestures.
Enmanuel Diaz
L.O.V.E. = LOST OF VIRTUE ENDING
Taina Duarte
You are the reason why I save money for 365 days
For something that will make you feel
The same way as I do for only 3 seconds.
You are oxygen to my lungs,
Melody to my ears,
You are also my biggest fear.
Because with one word you can end my universe.
You are radiant light,
That shines up the moon at night.
Lighting my path so I don’t get lost.
You are my reason to laugh, cry, and dance.
You are that tingling sensation
That my soul gets every time
You say,
I love you.
Maxwell Veloz
I like the way you look
I like the way you smile.
We don’t have to talk,
But I’ll listen to you.
I would want you to be my valentine,
But who knows maybe one day it’ll be more.
Tyrone
Enmanuel Candelario is a chapter leader and Writers Collective program facilitator. He is also an alumni member of Lyrical Circle, the original Writers Collective group, who have since performed in venues and colleges across the country, and authored and published Off the Subject, a collection of their poetry.
Bro/Sis Photo@Random
