Ingenious concepts, stubborn conceits, passionate arguments, sublime paradoxes and far-fetched images are just a few characteristics of metaphysical poetry. Poetry that allows its audience to journey with the poet through the battles, luxuries and treasures of life is simply a phenomenon. Today we are fortunate to have the luxury of possessing many metaphysical poems; however, today we will only explore two. It is a Valediction forbidding mourning and its timid mistress. The two poems possess different themes and characteristics that will be compared and contrasted throughout, but are linked through the discourse of love. The four letter word that has so much meaning, but what is love really? Can we assign a specific meaning to it, or is it perhaps a matter of opinion? John Donne's poem, A Valediction Forbidding Mourning is a plea written to Donne's wife asking her not to mourn his absence. The Latin title gives an insight into the poem's meaning: "when we part, we must not cry" or, in simpler terms, "to bid farewell" (A Valediction Forbidding Mourning, 2009). Donne explains that a maudlin display of emotion would only denigrate their love. This allows us to make the connection with the fact that the love shared between Donne and his wife is something more special than that of a normal or mundane relationship. They are alone and even though they are physically separated, they will remain together spiritually. Therefore, the key discourse found in this poem is that of love. A Valediction Forbidding Mourning was written in an effort to comfort Donne's wife while he was away on business. In 1611, Donne was sent on a diplomatic mission to France; while his wife remained at home in England, hence the creation of A Valediction...... middle of paper ......does not rhyme with the one that precedes it. Both A Valediction and To His Coy Mistress follow iambic tetrameter. Overall, Donne and Marvell did a very good job of portraying their views on love. The two poems present a different argument about what love is and perhaps even compare lust to love. In A Valediction Forbidding Mourning, Donne tries to convince his lover that they don't need a physical relationship to keep their love strong, while in To His Coy Mistress; Marvell tries to make his lover believe that they need a physical relationship. Metaphysical poems allow readers to momentarily leave the life they are living and join the transcendent world of the poet. Ingenious concepts, stubborn conceits, passionate arguments, sublime paradoxes and far-fetched images are just a few characteristics which together constitute the brilliant phenomenon of metaphysical poetry..