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Almost Valentine’s

         Two days early
         we exchange gag Valentine’s toys
         and horror stories of car trouble
              lousy jobs
              and leaky roofs.
         Sipping cheap chardonnay
         we discuss the absurdity
              of holidays,
         the impossibility of assigned emotions:
              on this day you will be happy,
              thankful,
              in love.
         When I prepare to leave
         your kiss tells me
              I should stay.
         But I have appointments waiting
         and the rain tells me
              I may already be late.
         So I drive away
         with only the taste
              of pink candy
              on my tongue.