Imagine yourself back in the 16th or 17th century. You need to express to your lover how you feel and how you are longing to spend long, intimate moments together. How? There are no cellphones, telephones, e-mails -- nothing. Nothing to ensure communication save quill, parchment and perhaps an errand boy to deliver your passionate missive. The letter is full of desire and yearning. It conveys to the lucky recipient just how much you care and long to be in his or her arms.

As we are catapulted into the 21st century and envelope ourselves in all its modern comforts, we inadvertently leave behind some pleasurable traditions that would leave one trembling with excitement and anticipation - traditions that are worthy of preservation and cultivation. The art of writing a love letter should be nurtured and perfected when one wants the romance to grow and flower.

The love letter can fire the imagination of the one who is writing it as well as the one who receives it. The pleasure of imagining different ways to write about your love and passion is just part of the joy. Sharing that imagination with your chosen through the written word rounds out the experience.

A love letter need not be pages and pages of gushing mush, either. Think of whatever delightful, decadent, even naughty expressions that would ignite the mind and strike flaming anticipation in the body. Build up your vocabulary to include a variety of words to describe the intimacy or the sensual nocturnal games you could share.

The letter may describe what pleasures await when you next meet or feelings of love and tenderness. Take the time to tailor your letter for the moment. If a bit of romance is the order of the day, start your letter by using adjectives like darling, dear heart, my love. Go on to express tender feelings and how it is for you when you spend intimate moments with your chosen. It