I Like You And I Love You

Author: Oliver Wendell Holmes

    I LIKE YOU Met I LOVE You, face to face;
    The path was narrow, and they could not pass.
    I LIKE YOU smiled; I LOVE YOU cried, Alas!
    And so they halted for a little space.

    "Turn thou and go before," I LOVE YOU said,
    "Down the green pathway, bright with many a flower;
    Deep in the valley, lo! my bridal bower
    Awaits thee." But I LIKE YOU shook his head.

    Then while they lingered on the span-wide shelf
    That shaped a pathway round the rocky ledge,
    I LIKE You bared his icy dagger's edge,
    And first he slew I LOVE You, - then himself.
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Type of Poem: Narrative Poem

Date Written:

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Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

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Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is a profound exploration of the volatile interplay between love and liking. The anthropomorphizing of these emotional states as characters creates a dramatic, narrative structure, which is both engaging and thought-provoking. The poem's tone is somewhat melancholic, mixing romantic imagery with a tragic finale, thus painting a vivid picture of the struggle between two conflicting feelings.

The theme of the poem revolves around the emotional turmoil between the security of liking someone and the passion of loving them. It suggests that love, with its intensity and vulnerability, can be fatal, while liking, portrayed as a more passive and less demanding emotion, can be destructive in its own right. The poet cleverly uses the metaphor of a narrow path to represent the tight space in human hearts, often not enough for these two emotions to coexist peacefully. The intriguing twist at the end, where 'I Like You' kills 'I Love You' and then himself, highlights the destructive potential of suppressed desires and unfulfilled love. Structurally, the poem is well-crafted with regular rhyming patterns that maintain a steady rhythm, enhancing the overall reading experience.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.