(hearts)

There are hearts
every where,
Valentine’s Day
is threatening
to return.
Curly red ribbons
hang in stores,
a catalogue comes
in the mail
with overpriced
oils for the bath,
that claim to be
romantic.

I am just grateful
if we can change
the sheets
without ruckus.
One year you gave
me a little bear
candle with a heart
in its belly,
another time a heart
dappled cup.
I made a book
of red shapes
you didn’t
much notice.
You bought a lot
of corny cards.

I’m just grateful
you come to bed
now when I do.
That we can fall
asleep cuddled
together,
like little bears
as I have always
seen us,
like puppies
in a pile,
the mammalian
need for warmth
keeping us
together.

2/3/01