Fifty-Nine Valentines

by Pamela Hall Evans

Fifty-nine valentines
Each singular

No celebrations
Chocolates
Flowers
Dinners out
Jewelry
Candles
Dancing

Cards, yes. From the first
Romantic
Hilarious
Serious
Expensive
Homemade

Cards, yes. From the heart
Signed with love
Delivered with expectation
Opened with hands aquiver
Read with held breath
Accepted with a kiss

Chocolate and dinners are eaten
Flowers wilt
Candles burn
Memories fade
Cards in a chest or drawer
Remain and remind. 

Fifty-nine valentine cards
Full of promise
            Gratitude
            Mirth
            Elation
            Devotion
          Tenderness

Love given once a year
For no reason but itself