I tried to write a Valentine's Day poem but I couldn't decide on a theme - should it be funny? romantic? historical? or perhaps, should I just write about the proliferation of pudgy, winged children with arrows and explore the possibility that this is a mutation brought about by environmental pollutants?  After a time spent in the eye-straining pink and red card stores, I finally ended up with this:


I searched the aisles and the rows
of hearts and flowers and pretty prose
For words that said just what I meant
amongst the Hallmark sentiments
There were I "heart" you's everywhere
But does that say I really care?
When a bumper sticker thinks it's grand
To proclaim to "heart" the high school band
And those that "heart" horses and quilting bees
Make the heart's song a wilting wheeze
I needed a card that says that I comprehend
how rarely an acquaintance becomes my friend
When finally I spied just the right emotion:
"Congratulations on your promotion!"

Then while searching through my document files, I ran across this unfinished thing:

Do you see?
I have painted the room in sun-
washed colors, red and gold
I have made your bed
in tranquil tones
I have bathed you in moonlight
and lain beside you  
I pulled the petals from the single rose
and made a halo on your pillow

Which reminded me of one of my favorite poems by Christopher Marlowe:

The Passionate Shepherd to His Love

Come live with me and be my love,
And we will all the pleasures prove
That valleys, groves, hills, and fields,
Woods, or steepy mountain yields.

And we will sit upon rocks,
Seeing the shepherds feed their flocks,
By shallow rivers to whose falls
Melodious birds sing madrigals.

And I will make thee beds of roses
And a thousand fragrant poises,
A cap of flowers, and a kirtle
Embroidered all with leaves of myrtle;

A gown made of the finest wool
Which from our pretty lambs we pull;
Fair lined slippers for the cold,
With buckles of the purest gold;

A belt of straw and ivy buds,
With coral clasps and amber studs;
And if these pleasures may thee move,
Come live with me, and be my love.

The shepherds's swains shall dance and sing
For thy delight each May morning:
If these delights thy mind may move,
Then live with me and be my love.

So, there you have a hodgepodge of Valentines, and you can choose from them.

I think I will just go eat some chocolate-covered cherries and wait for a real holiday, like National Quilting Bee Day or something.