Writing Emotions – Love
Less is more, in my opinion. A kiss, using non-gory, but eloquent terms, can say much more than a description that focuses on a sordid way to tell about something that’s supposed to be beautiful. Especially, since I’m a Christian writer, I don’t like too much. It cheapens our language and I believe the author as well.
There are different kinds of love. There’s parental love for a child, and a child’s love of their parents. There’s a brotherly-sisterly love between siblings. There’s affectionate love of friends who are close to us. There’s romantic love, which is mainly what I’m talking about here.
There’s also our love of God, and His for us – and that’s why I write. I want you to know more about Him, from my perspective. But I’m going to write about Him from a romantic writing perspective.
Have you ever read the Song of Solomon? It’s said to be King Solomon’s greatest song/poem of all the thousands, yes thousands, of songs he wrote as king of Israel nearly 3,000 years ago. Let’s look at the Song. It’s a romantic poem, written in ancient Hebrew style of poetry, using language in its most beautiful form, without cheapening the message.
The very first verse of the poem: “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth – For your love is better than wine.” Here’s more: “The king has brought me into his chambers.” That’s from the girl’s point of view. Let’s hear from the king’s point of view.
“I have compared you, my love, To my filly among Pharoah’s chariots. Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments. Your neck with chains of gold. You have dove’s eyes. Your hair is like a flock of goats Going down from Mount Gilead.”
True Love weds – Katie & Derek
Back to the Girl, the Shulamite. “My beloved is white and ruddy. His head is like the finest gold. His locks are wavy and black as a raven. His eyes are likes by the rivers of waters. His cheeks are like a bed of spices. His lips are lilies, dripping liquid myrrh.” She continues her description in Song 5:14-16.
Once more from the Beloved, the king. “How beautiful are your feet in sandals…The curves of your thighs are like jewels. Your navel is a rounded goblet. Your waist is a heap of wheat set about with lilies. Your two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle. Your neck is like an ivory tower…” And he goes on in Song 7:4-9.
Amazingly enough, this is scripture. It’s in the Bible. It’s that descriptive and explicit. Most of our writing can leave something to the imagination. Readers don’t need the gory details, do they? Mine don’t.
But think about this and think hard: why is this poem in the Bible? Leave a comment and let me know.
Donna L.H. Smith 