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My Ode to Romance Countdown to Valentine’s Day

I am my beloved’s and his desire is toward me

#10 of 14 My Favorite Love Poems

“I am my beloved’s and his desire is toward me” – Song of Solomon 7 verse 10

“Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments.  Love is not love which alters when it alternations finds” – William Shakespeare (Sonnet 116)

“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.  I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach.” – Elizabeth Barrett Browning (Sonnet 43)

“Grow old along with me the best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made” – Robert Browning

“O my Luve is like a red, red rose that’s newly sprung in June; O my Luve is like the melody that’s sweetly played in tune” – Robert Burns

“Drink to me only with thine eyes and I will pledge with mine or leave a kiss within the cup, and I’ll not ask for wine” – Ben Jonson 1616

“Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave” Song of Solomon 8 verse 6

My Ode to Romance Countdown to Valentine’s Day

setting a romantic mood to a memorable evening.

#9 of 14 Setting the Mood

Setting a romantic mood to a memorable evening can consist of wine, chocolate and candlelight. All three of these items separately or together make an evening light and full of love.  Wine brings a couple joy as they set aside time together.  Chocolate is a natural sex enhancer as it promotes blood flow to the sexual organs, increases sensation, satisfaction and desire because it contains a certain amino acid called L-arginine. Candlelight or dim lighting dilates the pupils very similar to the reaction experienced when two people are attracted to each other.  

“but I found him whom soul loveth; I held him, and would not let him go.” Song of Solomon 3 verse 4

My Ode to Romance Countdown to Valentine’s Day

Whispering sweet nothings…

#8 of 14 Sweet Nothings

Be Mine Tote Bag With Red Flower Petals

Couples in love speak a special language, called Sweet Nothings.  The whisperings of love and romantic talk to each other.  Sweet nothings was first noted in a poem by English novelist Mary Elizabeth Braddon in 1776, “as low he bend o’er her he loves so dear, to whisper some sweet nothing in her ear.”

“…it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh,” Song of Solomon 5 verse 2 

My Ode to Romance Countdown to Valentine’s Day

Many waters cannot quench love

#7 of 14 Love

Ophelia

Love encompasses a range of strong and positive emotional and mental states, from the most sublime virtue or good habit, the deepest interpersonal affection, to the simplest pleasure.[1][2] An example of this range of meanings is that the love of a mother differs from the love of a spouse, which differs from the love of food. Most commonly, love refers to a feeling of strong attraction and emotional attachment.[3] (Wikipedia.org 2021)

“Many waters cannot quench love neither can the floods drown it.” Song of Solomon 8 verse 7

My Ode to Romance Countdown to Valentine’s Day

Attraction means a person or thing that draws, allures

#6 of 14 Attraction

Romantically speaking, a person can be attracted to another person by the way they look, how they move, how they smell, what they say and even how they say it. For example, when meeting someone for the first time, the senses are immediately invoked and heightened, leading to the creation of either a positive or negative assessment. 

Attraction means a person or thing that draws, allures or entices and scientifically speaking, there is such a thing as an magnetic force where opposites attract.

“Draw me, we will run after thee.” Song of Solomon 1 verse 4

My Ode to Romance Countdown to Valentine’s Day

I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.

#5 of 14 The Love Song

Troubadour’ Entry – Jakob Emanuel Gaisser

Love songs express the emotions felt by the writer or singer to the one they love.  One such song can be found in Song of Solomon ( 22nd book of the Bible)

Also called Canticle of canticles.  It is a song or a chant known to be written by King Solomon approximately 930 BC of the old testament Bible.  The song tells of simple love between a husband and his wife, emotionally, spiritually and physically.  Metaphorically speaking it is also a relationship between Christ and his bride, the Church. 

“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.” Song of Solomon 6 verse 3

My Ode to Romance Countdown to Valentine’s Day

A kiss is the touch or pressing of one’s lips…

#4 of 14 – The Kiss

“Let him kiss me…” Song of Solomon 1 verse 2a

‘A kiss is the touch or pressing of one’s lips against another person or object. ( Wikipedia -English 2021) And can express the sentiments of love, passion, romance, affection, respect, greeting, friendship even betrayal among other things, depending on the context and culture.’

side view of romantic couple kissing while standing amidst plants against sky in park during sunset - black women kissing white men stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

My Ode to Romance Countdown to Valentine’s Day

as the lily among thorns so is my love among the daughters.

#3 of 14 Language of Flowers

In the Victorian Era, flowers were used to express emotions that cannot be spoken.  For example, a flower given by the right hand meant a “yes” to a question and if the flower was handed over with the left hand, it meant ” no”.

Flowers, plants and herbs have meaning as well.  Blackeye Susan’s means justice and mint means virtue.  The rose is a symbol of love but the colour of the rose has different meanings altogether.   

  • White rose – purity, innocence, reverence a new beginning, a fresh start
  • Red rose – love, I love you. – great for that one true love on Valentine’s day
  • Deep, dark crimson rose – mourning
  • Pink rose – grace, happiness, gentleness
  • Yellow rose – jealousy, infidelity
  • Orange rose – desire and enthusiasm
  • Lavender rose – love at first sight
  • Coral rose – friendship, modesty, sympathy

(The Old Farmer’s Almanac )  

A bridal bouquet of red roses and baby’s breath is an collective expression meaning “I love you purely”.  Likewise, a flower in the button hole of the groom is an extension of the Medieval tradition of a knight wearing his lady’s colours declaring his love and their relationship.

“As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters” Song of Solomon 2 verse 2

Lily = happiness or unconscious sweetness

My Ode to Romance Countdown To Valentine Day

Chivalry is still alive today

#2 of 14 Chivalry

“Love suffers long and is kind” 1Corinthians 13:4

Tristram and Isolde, 1916 - John William Waterhouse
Tristram and Isolde by William John Waterhouse- 1916

In medieval times, acts of chivalry were used by knights to demonstrate commitment, respect, compassion and trust as well as to show noble bravery to a lady when pursuing an honourable relationship with her. 

Chivalry is still alive today and can be seen in acts of kindness such as opening a door, pulling out a chair or as simple as returning a warm greeting.  Valentine’s Day supports a somewhat chivalrous behaviour by the giving of flowers, chocolate, having a candlelight dinner or showing love and compassion to others in kind words and deeds.

My Ode to Romance countdown to Valentine’s Day

Thou hast ravished my heart.

“Thou hast ravished my heart.” – Song of Solomon 4 verse 9a

#1 of 14 Romance

Romance is defined as an emotional attraction towards another person and the courtship behaviours undertaken to express these feelings ( Wikipedia 2021) Romancing someone can be expressed by giving gifts, spending time together or saying special words of affirmation.  These could all be examples of courtship, which is a period where a relationship develops.  (The Five Love Languages – Gary Chapman)