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About This Poem

Forgotten Valentine's

February winds pound the siding, scattering sand left by the snow plows through the gray angry air. The house seems full of small noises and little else. The cat has taken up his guard post in his rug-covered tree house and purrs in tune with the ping of the hot water pipes. Even the dust has settled.

 empty chairs
 surround a guest-less table –
a cold cup of tea

 Scanning the tidy kitchen with its Wedgewood-blue counters and rustic farm- scene border, I note, the cabinets need a good rub down. Murphy’s Oil in hand, I approach the oak with determination, and a soft pink flannel rag. The scent of lemon oil, crisp and clean, wafts past my nose. With great care, I climb a gingerbread chair to reach the highest cabinets over the stove. I balance, just praying the seat cushion doesn’t slide out from under my feet. Opening the double doors, I view a stockpile of holiday décor now unused. There below the paper Easter eggs, I see them and a tear comes to my eye. Empty now, decades old, of all different sizes, red satin boxes, Valentine hearts, forgotten. 

blue veins throb
 on the backs of aged hands --
 a tear falls
 

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  1. Date: 2/12/2013 10:41:00 AM

    Belated congratulations on your win Debbie xx

  1. Date: 2/12/2013 7:40:00 AM

    Hi Debbie, this is a really beautiful poem... I love this style... did you create this style yourself, the mixing of prose and haiku?

  1. Date: 2/11/2013 9:15:00 PM

    Debbie:-) ... Congratulations, with your awesome poem in Debra s "The Forgotten Valentine... " contest... glad to see you on the winning list. Always & Forever* PD

  1. Date: 2/11/2013 6:26:00 PM

    Haunting old memories Debbie. Not worth breaking your neck for, be careful climbing.Congratulations on your win.

  1. Date: 2/11/2013 12:51:00 PM

    So it was you who wrote this !! Excellent. Thanks for entering my first member's contest. I appreciate the support...Congratulations also on your win. Loved the haiku and the verses !!

  1. Date: 2/6/2013 3:09:00 AM

    This is an awesome write and I feel you have introduced a very powerful form of poetry here at soup, Haibun. Always learning a thing or two from your work Debbie. Big thanks for placing my entry in your Mix-it-up contest and for your help with the haiku part.

  1. Date: 2/4/2013 1:10:00 PM

    oh this is so sad but at least you have some red satin cards I don't think I have ever had a Valentines card , souperb entry xx

  1. Date: 2/4/2013 9:23:00 AM

    Feel your emotions with this lovely poem Deb. It is always sad to come across things we put away and cherish for it brings back many memories. love phyl

  1. Date: 2/4/2013 7:41:00 AM

    STUNNING ENTRY! I especially liked, even the dust settled. Fantastic you kept your own style. What a great form to play with... it feels like journaling... which to me is a good thing. Exploration. Self-expression, I'm liking that you showed me this. ... PS- I changed my entry to your contest... I wasn't quite happy with the last one, too personal, not quite "there." This one feels more targeted...;-)

  1. Date: 2/3/2013 7:11:00 AM

    Debbie, what a wonderous poem, and a fantastic layout to tell a story, you are a really good writer, Constance

  1. Date: 2/2/2013 5:40:00 PM

    I simply love this! These are words from a true poet..I was moved...much love, hb

  1. Date: 2/2/2013 1:01:00 PM

    Oh, that is so sad, somehow, Debbie. Hope those were replaced by new, happy ones!

  1. Date: 2/2/2013 10:28:00 AM

    Your emotions are felt in every line of this absolutely beautiful poem, Debbie! I love this

  1. Date: 2/2/2013 5:35:00 AM

    A tear comes to my eye too, cher...love the dividing of the two verses with those three short lines...'a cup clinks in a saucer'...oh my...'And the winner is!...Steady-Debbie!' (applause, whistles,etc)

    Ryerson Avatar Tim Ryerson Date: 2/2/2013 5:44:00 AM Block poet from commenting on your poetry

    Don't like that nick-name huh?...All I gotta say to THAT is: Doan' care, mon cher...
  1. Date: 2/1/2013 9:42:00 PM

    Great work Debbie. this was a moment in time. Thanks for sharing. Lucilla

  1. Date: 2/1/2013 7:18:00 PM

    Very well done Debbie, I enjoyed this one from start to finish!

  1. Date: 2/1/2013 6:37:00 PM

    a wonderful way of capturing a moment in a page....nice to read you , Debbie..

  1. Date: 2/1/2013 4:44:00 PM

    This is sad, beautiful and believable. Good luck to you also. Feels like I was inside a giant story book.

  1. Date: 2/1/2013 4:43:00 PM

    I can feel the pain of this work..Very emotive and expressive..Enjoyed reading your creativity..Thanks for stopping by with congrats..Sara