Writing About Love and Its Opposite

Posted on January 25, 2021

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



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."