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Writing About Love and Its Opposite

Posted on January 25, 2021

"Rebellious" Iranian poet Forugh Farrokhzad

With Valentine's Day swiftly approaching, we'd like to recommend 3 love poems:

  1. Persian poet Forugh Farrokhzad's sizzling "Connection"
  2. "To kiss a forehead is to erase worry," a Russian poem that casts a spell of protection---or tries to.
  3. "Poems for Parting," a wistful, relatable breakup poem from ancient China
    4. Panel from "Sharing"
    Panel from "Sharing," by Duncan Jepson and Xie Peng.

    Or, take students beyond the usual hearts and flowers with the dystopian graphic fable "Sharing," from China. This story asks: when love is measured in commodities, what does it ultimately mean?

    You'll also find many other stories of love---spanning cultures, ages, and even several species---on our website. Just go to the Find page and select "Love Stories" under "Themes" on the right-hand side, or follow this link. And visit our Korea unit in February for brand-new love stories.

    What to do with all these love and anti-love stories? You might have students read several different stories, and then discuss which of the stories seems to represent love the most "truthfully."