The Best Books for Poetic Seduction

Even if you think you know nothing about poetry, you know the opening line of one of these amazing love sonnets, written by the poet to her husband, Robert Browning (who was no slouch in the pentameter himself): "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways."

A sterling collection that represents not only authors of various eras and cultures, including the majestic Rabindranath Tagore, Sappho and Pablo Neruda. It's sort of a Whitman's Sampler of Love Poems; there's bound to be something in here that suits your mood and fancy.

If you will, an even more eclectic collection of poems, pressing more towards the passionate and erotic. Read it cover to cover and see if your ability to speak of passion and desire with greater eloquence isn't enhanced.

Although there is poetry fully realized within this, the focus is on the broader eloquence of the love letter, as we read the actual words penned by great and effective communicators as they express their passions.

While not necessarily as well known as Pablo Neruda, Octavio Paz demonstrated all he ever needs to as a romantic poet with his line "the world is born when two people kiss." Many of the works in this bilingual volume are not strictly romantic, but even Aphrodite looks to the side from time to time.