Be my Valentine

Yes, it is February 14, Valentins's Day. A day for lovers. Some couples will go out for supper tonight. My wife and I will stay home. We'll be celebrating by eating a duck, with boiled potatoes and Savoy cabbage. We've made that our tradition. Hmm, just writing about it makes my mouth water. My wife is a good cook and she makes the best duck I've ever eaten. We've had duck in restaurants, and most of the time it hasn't been long enough in the oven and the breast is usually still covered with a thick layer of fat. The fat needs to be broiled out and the skin has to be crispy. My wife does it like that. Eaten with a glass of wine makes it a wonderful culinary experience.

I write novels, but I've never considered myself to be a poet or a romantic fool, even though I've written over 50 poems for my wife. I write one for every holiday, like Christmas, Easter, birthdays, and, yes, Valentine's Day. I create a card and put the poem into it. I am not allowed to publish the poems. My wife considers them her property, because they've been written for her and not the public. I am making an exception here and I will publish the one I wrote this year. She won't know, because she doesn't read my blog. So, don't tell her. Let this be our secret.

                                                           Valentine's Day 2013
                                                                   To my wife

 

There seems to be some misconception

about this day called Valentine

there may even be a little deception

when someone says to you: Be mine.

There’s talk about a kid named Cupid

who is said to live inside a cloud

I don’t want to say he’s stupid

for shooting his arrows all about

But he seems to waste them on the young

who sure don’t need encouragement

with desires naturally strong

their intentions are quite translucent

Now it’s different with the more mature

I don’t want to imply they’re old

But they could use a nudge for sure

to heat up what has grown a bit cold

One arrow in the heart may do

to flame the fires still aglow

Or maybe  it will take a few

to rekindle those passions from long ago

Love is not something reserved for the young

Us older folks need some loving too

Many a song about that has been sung

Let me sing one for you

Be my Valentine, my Love

Because my love is strong

I love you still with all my heart

And that’s my Valentine’s song