April 21 to May 21 marks the Taurus season, and there’s plenty to celebrate about these beautiful bulls. The sign of icons like Adele, Aidy Bryant, and Cher, Taurean traits include perseverance and stubbornness, but also patience, gentleness, and a deep appreciation for beauty and luxury. Though Taureans can be accused of hedonism and greed, they simply know how to indulge, how to get in touch with their sensual side, and how to claim the self-care and self-love they deserve.
Think of Taureans as having two modes. On one hand, they can be peaceful and grounded, often homebodies or nature lovers, easily satisfied by their own creative projects. On the other, they can be restless—called the “wandering bull” for their need to travel and to explore different belief systems or ways of life—and easily pushed to fight for the things that matter most to them. Following this dual nature, Taurus season invites people of every zodiac sign to pamper themselves, engage in mindfulness, and find contentment, while also finding their own voice and the boldness to speak up and charge forward where it counts. These words of these four Taurus poets show us the way.
“Sonnet 40: Take all my loves, my love, yea, take them all” by William Shakespeare
Yep, Shakespeare himself was a Taurus. This shouldn’t be surprising, given that the poet wrote prolifically about love. Taureans are true romantics, known for their charm, commitment, and loyalty. And once a Taurus finds the match of their dreams, they’ll remain dedicated and focused on preserving the connection and spark for the long-haul.
In “Sonnet 40,” Shakespeare spends all fourteen lines reiterating and emphasizing his love, fitting with the Taurus characteristics of stubbornness and expressiveness. “Take all my loves, my love, yea, take them all: / What hast thou then more than thou hadst before? / No love, my love, that thou mayst true love call— / All mine was thine before thou hadst this more,” Shakespeare insists.
“I’m No Persephone” by Sierra Lindsay
Emerging poet Sierra Lindsay uses writing to comment on the body, power, and consumption— all distinct themes of her zodiac sign. In her poem “I’m No Persephone,” she reflects on tattoos as a way to reclaim the body from illness and lack of control, exemplifying Taureans’ appreciation for beauty and artistry.
“forbidden fruit is such a terrible cliche but there’s something / reverent in it,” Lindsay writes, inspired by her pomegranate tattoo. “something about the desire to taste / & the punishment after, the thrill of darkness / the wet / heat of a bite.” Later, Lindsay evokes Tauruses’ capacity for indulgence: “Forgetting growth / as a process, I cleave seed from skin—greedy for / the burst of sweet juice, a reward.”
“Midsummer” by Loise Glück
Glück’s poem exhibits the sensual wistfulness of a Taurus, reminiscing on a youthful summer of first love. After giving the poem a strong sense of place—describing the humidity, the influence of nature, and the nightly mystery—the speaker remarks on leaving and returning, in a typical Taurean journey for discovery and self-improvement.
“The summer night glowed: in the fields, fireflies were glinting,” Glück illustrates. “And for those who understood such things, the stars were sending messages: / You will leave the village where you were born / and in another country you’ll become very rich, very powerful / but you will always mourn something you left behind, even though / you can’t say what it was / and eventually you will return to seek it.”
“Power” by Adrienne Rich
Taurus poet Rich depicts the strength, determination, and fierceness of her sign in this poem about Marie Curie.
“Today I was reading about Marie Curie: / she must have known she suffered from radiation sickness,” Rich writes. “She died a famous woman denying / her wounds / denying / her wounds came from the same source as her power.”
Happy Taurus season! As a testament to Tauruses’ unyielding commitment to their values, write a poem about something that brings out your strong, stubborn side. Let your poem convey why it’s worth fighting for.
