A write head for perpendicular magnetic recording having a write pole and first and second return poles. The write head can include a first magnetomotive force source for delivering a magnetomotive force to the first return pole and the write pole and a second magnetomotive force source for delivering magnetomotive force to the second return pole and the write pole. The first and second magnetomotive force sources can be operated independently of one another so that different relative amounts of magnetomotive force can be applied to the first and second return poles. A trailing magnetic shield can be connected with one of the return poles, such as the second return poles, and the variation in magnetomotive force can be used to increase the amount of flux flowing through the trailing shield when increased field gradient is desired (such as when writing a transition), and to decrease the amount of flux through the trailing shield when decreased field gradient and increased write field are desired (such as when writing a long magnetic section on a magnetic medium).