For today’s post, I thought I’d share one of my favourite love poems. It’s by the wonderful William Shakespeare, Sonnet 130.
I love Sonnet 130 because he describes his mistress in the most realistic way, without exaggerating her beauty, but by writing her as she is. I think this is perfect because we live in a world where we idealise perfection, we want to appear perfect, have perfect relationships and be perfect ourselves (especially on social media).
So today, on St Valentine’s Day, I urge you all to love the imperfect in everyone; friends, family, partners and most importantly in yourself. Love doesn’t have to be perfect.
My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips’ red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damask’d, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground:
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.
Thank you for reading.
