A sonnet for Valentine’s Day

I was thinking about writing a post for Valentine’s Day, but I had already written a love letter to running for our anniversary.  So this post started out with apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning as I butchered the heck out of How do I love thee? – with complete disregard for rhyme and rhythm rules, I might add.  Then I suddenly remembered that I need to write some poetry for a class I am taking.  To be perfectly honest I don’t really like writing poetry – while I like reading it, and I love vivid imagery, I think I am a bit too…ah…literal to write a good poem.  But since I had to do it anyway, I figured, what better time to write a poem than Valentine’s Day?  And being Valentine’s Day it had to be a sonnet of course!

Just an FYI…it is way harder to write a sonnet than it first appears.  Anyway, several hours and sheets of scrap paper later, I bring you 14 lines of iambic pentameter – an Endorphin Junkie original – with apologies not only to Elizabeth Barrett Browning, but to everyone with even the slightest appreciation for poetry.  Happy Valentine’s Day, iRunNation!

Though in my heart the run may seem to glow,
I’m guarded for the flame may burn too hot.
More like a tree my love will surely grow,
Unswerving patience will pay out its lot.
For now each root laid down builds broad my base,
And branches spread so leaves may drink the light;
And through the rain, the snow and wind I face,
I grow steadfast; gain strength and will to fight.
But though I may be forced down to my knees,
And body broken, felled while roots do tear,
While willows weep, I am unlike the trees;
My heart cannot be crushed beyond repair.
I trained my spirit; pain I can endure,
For joy delights my heart; this love is pure.