Love Poem

Love Poem

By John Frederick Nims

My clumsiest dear, whose hands shipwreck vases,
At whose quick touch all glasses chip and ring,
Whose palms are bulls in china, burs in linen,
And have no cunning with any soft thing

Except all ill at ease fidgeting people:
The refugee uncertain at the door
You make at home; deftly you steady
The drunk clambering on his undulant floor.

Unpredictable dear, the taxi drivers terror,
Shrinking from far headlights pale as a dime
Yet leaping before apopleptic streetcars—
Misfit in any space. And never on time.

A wrench in clocks and the solar system. Only
With words and people and love you move at ease;
In traffic of wit expertly maneuver
And keep us, all devotion, at your knees.

Forgetting your coffee spreading on our flannel,
Your lipstick grinning on our coat,
So gaily in love’s unbreakable heaven
Our souls on glory of spilt bourbon float.

Be with me, darling, early and late. Smash glasses and
I will study wry music for your sake.
For should your hands drop white and empty
All the toys of the world would break.

Summary of Love Poem

• Popularity of “Love Poem”: The poem is admired for its realistic portrayal of love toward an imperfect partner, resonating with readers who appreciate candid expressions of affection.
• “Love Poem” As a Representative of Love: The poem displays the beloved’s strengths and weaknesses and the speaker’s unwavering love. It opens by describing her clumsiness with playful comparisons, yet highlights the comfort and stability she brings. The poem celebrates unconditional love and acceptance.
• Major Themes in “Love Poem”: Acceptance of imperfection, celebration of love, and humor are the main themes. The light‑hearted tone blends affection and wit, emphasizing that love can flourish despite flaws.

Analysis of Literary Devices Used in Love Poem

Literary devices give writers the tools to craft style and meaning. The poem uses several of these devices, which are discussed below.

1. Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds. For example, the long “a” in “your coat” and the short “e” in “deftly you steady” create a musical flow.
2. Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. The repeated “s” in “smash glasses” and “spilt bourbon” draw attention to those phrases.
3. Consonance: Repeated consonant sounds within words, such as the “r” in “whirl” and “world” and the “t” in “deftly.” It subtly links the lines together.
4. Enjambment: A line continues into the next without a pause. The passage that begins “Except all ill at ease” and continues through “The drunk clambering” flows without punctuation, mirroring the speaker’s continuous thoughts.
5. Hyperbole: Exaggeration for emphasis. Lines such as “Unpredictable dear, the taxi drivers terror” and “My clumsiest dear, whose hands shipwreck vases” heighten the contrast between her flaws and the speaker’s affection.
6. Imagery: Vivid language that appeals to the senses. Examples include “spilt bourbon float” and “shrinking from far headlights pale as a dime,” which paint clear mental pictures.
7. Metaphor: A comparison without “like.” Phrases such as “bulls in china” and “shipwreck vases” describe the beloved’s untamed nature.
8. Symbolism: Objects or ideas that represent something else. The “shipwreck vases” symbolize careless care, while the “spilled bourbon” suggests a life lived fully, even if messy.

Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in Love Poem

Poetic devices focus on the sound and structure of the poem. Here are key elements used in this piece.

1. End Rhyme: Rhyming words at line ends. The rhyme pairs “sake” with “break,” “coat” with “float,” and “dime” with “time” give the poem a musical rhythm.
2. Quatrain: A four‑line stanza. Each stanza of the poem is a quatrain, giving the poem an orderly and balanced shape.
3. Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows an ABCB pattern in each stanza, creating unity and predictability.
4. Stanza: A unit of lines. The poem has six stanzas, each with four lines, allowing the speaker to develop ideas gradually.

Quotes to be Used

The following lines from “Love Poem” are valuable for discussions about love and the challenges people face in connecting with those they cherish.

Be with me, darling, early and late. Smash glasses and
I will study wry music for your sake.
For should your hands drop white and empty
All the toys of the world would break.

These lines capture the poem’s central message: a willingness to accept imperfections and find joy in the uniqueness of another person. The speaker does not seek perfection; he offers acceptance and celebrates the beloved’s untamed spirit.