Angst in Contemporary Love Poetry

One cannot write about contemporary love poetry without acknowledging the angst in every era, as contemporary love poets document the pain, suffering and tragedies evidenced in their lifetimes.

This is not to suggest that contemporary love poetry is deficient in any way, or otherwise lacking in love. In fact, the opposite is true as the contemporary love poet feels, experiences and writes about personal angst in relation to that of others, or circumstances above and beyond his or her control.

Pain and suffering, not recognized or acknowledged as such, would demonstrate lack of concern, or the absence of love. If love was missing or absent, and as previously suggested, love is truly the heart of all contemporary love poetry penned by entrepreneurs, then there would be no contemporary love poetry.

Acknowledgment of angst in contemporary love poetry plays an important role historically, in that it is also instrumental in initiating human awareness with the distinct hope, possibility and likelihood of effective change over time. Humankind instinctively seeks change for the better in each era, not for the worse, and the persistent voice of love reiterated throughout the course of history, makes this possible.

The angst in the voice of the contemporary love poet may speak on many different levels including that of his or her own languishing spirit. It may be heard on the level of a significant other, for example a friend, partner or spouse. It may also emanate forth to a group, a family or community and even extend further than that to the far reaches of the contemporary love poet's own country or that of others, as it gradually becomes a voice of love that pleads for reconciliation or peace among man.

One cannot under-estimate the merit, value or scope of love in relation to peace, in contemporary love poetry, even though it may not be immediately evident. It may have its most profound influence historically with respect to time, as the voice of the contemporary poet lives on and never ceases to carry out its predestined task. Its task may simply be that of arousing the curiosity of humankind from generation to generation.

The angst in the voice of the contemporary love poet acts like a sword, piercing hardened hearts and minds again and again.  It touches young and old alike and moves one individual after another to respond. It may anger some, particularly those who see senselessness, frustration and helplessness in their own or the inability of mankind to respond, resist or react in some way that would effect positive change. But even anger brings about a release of adrenaline which in turn, triggers a release of energy that can be used in a positive, constructive manner or direction. It may become wasted energy if mankind does not use it appropriately. Unfortunately, mankind in every era, has to choose how to respond to the angst in contemporary love poetry and the choices can bring about less than desirable results.

But love is more powerful than non-love and thus love invariably wins, although not always in the way that the contemporary love poet or others might expect or hope.

The role of angst in contemporary love poetry often empowers the contemporary love poet in such a way that his or her voice becomes that of a powerful leader, whereas otherwise, his or her voice may be silenced, at least momentarily. Perhaps that has to do with the spiritual nature of love, far often beyond the natural comprehension humankind.