Valentine's Day

It's now that Chaucer said the birds choose mates

with Mother Nature's help in one great crowd.

I don't take literally what he relates

but know the strength with which wooing's endowed,

for this is not a day to shrink away

from interest in a healthy prospect's eye.

There may be times, but one is not today,

to shrivel back, to flee, to hide, be shy.

This is a time alliances should form,

togetherness prepare for coming spring.

A strong affection should become a norm,

and joy in closeness should begin to sing -

sometimes it takes unlikely, strong insistence

to overcome the bashfulness of distance.

(c) Copyright 2001. The Christian Science Publishing Society