Birthdays & Valentines

 

BIRTHDAYS AND VALENTINES

 

It’s unfair

that your birthday

so closely follows Valentine’s Day:

two occasions celebrating for me

the same person, the same love.

One occasion for all the years,

and one for what you’ve done with them.

Unaccountably, you have loved me,

have shared so many years with me,

have laughed and (maybe) cried,

have celebrated, have been together or apart,

have raised our daughters,

have been happy.

 

It’s unfair

that these two days 

are united, are back-to-back,

are crammed together in time—

with space too small to give

significant credit to each,

to pay significant attention.

You are my life, my love,

my past, my future,

deserving so much more

than two short days,

two inadequate days, 

a double universe of love.

Valentine's Day 2025

 

Valentine’s Day

 

Flowers and chocolates,

hearts and love,

pinks and reds

and lace and ribbons,

cards and messages

reminding us

of what we hold dear,

of what and who we love,

reminding us of who we are

and how we connect

in this chaotic world

that divides us at every turn.

 

In spite of all that would separate us,

I hold tight to love, to truth,

to what is real, to what is good.

I hold tight to you,

my valentine.