Romantic poetry uses words, rhythm, imagery, and metaphor to express feelings with lyricism intended to kiss the heart of its recipient. It's never out of fashion. Since the dawn of modern civilization, poetry has been written to bring understanding to deep, heartfelt thoughts, desires and unvoiced sentiments. It allows us to speak our hearts, without uttering a word.

The tradition of romantic poems goes back some thirty-five centuries ago when Arab love poems told the tales of longing for unattainable ladies, who, at that time, were segregated from the rest of society. Yes, we can trace the development and significance of these love expressions through the European minstrels, ancient Greek and Egyptian poets and in the great love stories far and wide.

There is a universal understanding that poetry is a very special way of communicating our thoughts; of allowing that special person to grasp our inner most emotions. As a part of the courtship ritual, poetry has stood the test of time in its ability to reveal love, affection and consuming passion. We don't need to look any further than the heart-wrenching love story of Cyrano and Roxanne to appreciate how poetry defined their interactions.

The written word can put our emotional state into an expressive form that may not be as easily voiced. We have the opportunity to select the words and phases as they make sense in the desirous, longing, love captivated, sorrowful state we may be in. We can give deep thought to the way that person makes us feel and how they speak to our soul.

The cadence or rhythm sets the tone that sweeps the reader into a state of mind that is open to receiving its message, be that fast and flowing, lilting and smooth or arresting and deep.

We are telling a story with poems line by line. The images are laid out, painting the pictures that give form to what we are trying to communicate. Your story has a specific focus. Do you want to talk about a particular instance that transpired between the two of you or make a statement of love, yearning, sorrow, or devotion? The words you choose will create a collage of images that reflect how you are thinking and feeling about that state.

The rich metaphors create an experience that is mysterious, yet so intimate. Poems can express the various stages of your relationship. Whether you write it yourself or select one from another source, it will reflect where you believe your relationship is and most likely, where you want it to be. Don't be intimidated by the idea of putting your thoughts on paper, this is for the person closest to your heart, not for publication.

Look to poetry as a resource, a tool to explore your lines of communication, to affirm and reinforce some things you have said or want to say. Communication is a powerful tool in a relationship and one of the first areas to suffer when things are not going right. Embrace a tried and true method of connecting or reconnecting –romantic poetry. Isn't it a wonderful feeling to find the words that express exactly what is deep in your heart and to share them with your one and only?

There's nothing quite as stimulating as attempting something new within the sphere of your relationship building. Use poetry often, if you can't write it, you can certainly find it on the web. Here are some suggestions to start you off:

• Send one online. There are plenty of sites to give you a wide selection to choose from.

• Write or print one out on a nice piece of stationary. Find an opportunity to slip it into a book, bag or briefcase that your sweetheart carries. It will be a delight for them to find it during the course of their day.

• Recite one to your sweetheart the next time they answer one of your phone calls. What could break the routine of initiating your conversation than pouring out words that exalt your love to the level of queen or king of your world?

• Make a cassette, CD or DVD recording of one. This could be a very special gift that will certainly be treasured. Your voice reciting some very special words will leave on indelible print on their heart.

The more expressive you are in your relationship, the deeper your connection can be. Years down the road, you may have occasion to look back on the poetry you have exchanged and marvel at how your love has grown.