Valentine's Day

One of my nieces,

a sweet, loving child,

asked why a day,

meant to celebrate love,

makes me so sad.

 

How do I explain to a child,

that Valentine's day

has brought me such sorrow,

so many times,

it will never be a joy to me?

 

How do I say,

"I buried my heart on Valentine's day,

in his family tomb

down New Orleans way."

 

How do I explain,

my best friend bled to death

in a stateside military hospital;

alone and forgotten in a hallway;

on a day meant to be celebrated in twos.

 

And most of all,

how can I tell her

of a Valentines day doctor visit,

when I was twenty three,

and a diagnosis

that changed my life forever?

 

How can I tell a child?

 

Reviews

[Elizebeth Brooks]

You wrote this so sweetly,Geralyn!! I loved it. I was almost in tears. Amazing piece of work. Just amazing.

[AloysiaVerben]

I love this poem! So, sad. I cry. and I love to cry :D Good job :)
~A