The roses may be red
and the violets,
(as far as I know)
are not blue,
but purple,
and the chalky
conversational hearts
may strike up another
lousy chat about
how in love
you are.
The cards may burst
with cookie-cutter
sayings: Words you wish
you thought of first,
words you couldn’t
say even if you tried
(let’s face it, you’re
not a writer)
and the reservations
you placed under your name
may have cost you
your month’s wages.
And all the happy couples
with their oversized teddybears
and enormous heart-shaped balloons
smile and think shyly
that they are so
lucky to be in
love.