Love Poem

I.

When asked if I have a date

for Valentine’s Day, I say

Yes--February 14th.

II.

It’s Go Ahead And Buy Myself The Freaking Chocolate Day

and I’m celebrating this one.

Don’t you just love those chalky hearts

with flirty witticisms

stamped on them like red badges?

“Be mine”--

for an imperative mood;

“Love Bug”--

insect or influenza, it’s unclear;

“U R a 10”--

apt apex of numerical affirmation;

“Hug Me”--

No;

“Let’s kiss”--

well, that’s one remedy for boredom;

“Page me”--

leftover box from 1996?

III.

The candles are lit--

O sanguine celebration

of sweatpants and zinfandel,

Godiva and Netflix, here’s to you.

Chet Baker is crooning

Your looks are laughable

Unphotographable

and in this untamable afro,

these coke-bottled spectacles

and plushy red bathrobe,

who am I to disagree?

© Natasha Oladokun, 2014

Butterfly Valentine, circa 1940 - 1950
Wikimedia Commons