These words were not easy to write. None of us like to be the “kill joy” to others bliss. But as with Mother’s and Father’s Days, Christmas, New Year and so on, Valentine’s Day can be a day of pain for some whom we know. As with those other days, on Valentine’s Day, I’m reminded of the tristesse of those who are widowed, divorced, abused, single and feel isolated and alone. That brings me to the second reason why these words were hard to write. To write them means to see the faces and feel something of the pain of those whom I know and some whom, in my own way, I do actually love. So for them… for those you know…. and for others too… Who speaks?
Who Speaks? A Valentine Shadow Side
Who speaks for
Them who
Visit their valentine in
A sunny graveyard
With memories, sweet memories
Wafting in on the breeze
Across their tear-lined cheeks?
Who speaks for
Those whose valentine
Bolted
Beat or
Cheated
Or still do and
As valentine’s day comes
May feel blue
In heart and flesh?
Who fills the void for
Those who don’t have
A valentine
Didn’t and may not
Feel the presence
Of one
Tomorrow?
Who are their company
On this
Loneliest
Day for them?
Who fills?
Who heals?
Who meets?
The shadow
Of a loving presence
Darkens
Those in absence.
Whence comes the lantern?
Whom shall bear it?
Simon C.J. Falk 15 February 2021
Simon's still stanza 