Saint Valentine

an eccentric consideration of whose day with bows and arrows

Valentine’s
in a little while
(there
you have a free reminder)

named
and erstwhile remembered
for a saint
with followers
and they sent notes of
love
that was encouragement
against prison also
persecution
generally
wherever the believers might have lived
or might have had
to hide

we’ve added pink and lace
cut flowers
with
of course
the chocolate
at least for those not allergic to
chocolate or
flowers
or lace or pink

for whom we learn
what else might delight
and so
acquire and present these

and I guess
it has become a day
for two
and not for more
and not for
one

and
sorry
we put pressure on ourselves
at any number

that might have started
in some places with
peers and
cards
and crafted mailboxes
in classes
and maybe there was a rule
that everyone
give
everyone a greeting
and how socially
disastrously
all that might have gone
and
then
we grew into
the grown-up versions
of all that

so that might I aske
simplicity
anew
to pinkly and lacily approve
however many
shall
have the day and night
of Valentine’s

I’m sure
the eponymous hagiographic presence
would be
pleased
as there might be something to
the ministry
of saints
for each
and two
and three of more
and
all of us

have a good
pink or unpink
day

n.b.

and oh
yes
we let Cupid in
the imp from ancient Grecian
lore

to shoot
two hearts with love
and so
eccentrically
and maybe in reverse-order show
that
love hurts
so
my
we might the candy
after all

n.b. 2

and we know
or may
know
in that it’s
open for us that
God loves us
anyway
through our wisdoms
and our follies

even more than Cupid
who is
mischief
after all

c l couch

photo by Shayna Douglas on Unsplash

(x = space)

Valentine’s

(belongs to you)

Valentine got famous

For correspondence;

Other saints send messages

Valentine left words

Of love and encouragement

As other saints have done—as

You or I have done

Then red and pink took over

Red for hearts,

Pink for I don’t know

Lace got in there, too:

We covered up our furniture,

Covered our piano legs

With that

Well, why not?

We need the colors in the winter

And red means passion,

Loyalty as well

While pink is fragile

As are all relationships

In part

Happy day for strengthening

Like exercise,

Metal in devotion

Like the metal in the jewelry

For a sign we wear

Happy Valentine’s

With valentines

Don’t force it

Or deny it:

If deny it,

Maybe do so

With a saint’s

Prudent

Contemplative quiet

For the rest,

Give the cake

Share the cake

Eat the cake

Enjoy refined sugar

Or have raisins

Or above the silence

And beneath the noise

Go slowly—pleased to

Talk it through

On or by

The sidewalks of the world

C L Couch

now you have a day to plan—you’re welcome

By Lorie Shaull from Washington, United States – Happy Valentine’s Day!, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56401542

Valentine’s (prose-poem)

Valentine’s is Tuesday. A day whose origin is in sacrifice and martyrdom. In the pesky chapter of Ephesians, it’s how the role of husbands in marriage is described. Like the role of Jesus to the church, his bride and for whom he gave his life. The saint exchanged messages of love from his prison cell with his followers outside. (Who knows but someone might have been in jail with him.) Red is not for romance but for the color of the final cause. Enjoy the greeting cards—I will—and chocolate. And flowers for an augur of spring in the north. But there are higher things to think of, among them how we love this day. And to the next.

C L Couch

February 14, 2017 1