Feeling Sorry

If You Feel Sorry

If you feel sorry for yourself
this Valentine's Day, think of
the dozens of little paper poppies
left in the box when the last
of the candy is gone, how they
must feel, dried out and brown
in their sad old heart-shaped box,
without so much as a single finger
to scrabble around in their
crinkled petals, not even
one pimpled nose to root and snort
through their delicate pot pourri.
So before you make too much
of being neglected, I want you
to think how they feel.

by Ted Kooser,
Poet Laureate of the US, 2004-2006

Valentine's Day is now moving to center stage. The TV is blasting commercials for jewelry, perfume, beautiful fashions, and elegant places for dinner on the 14th. So the parade is materializing. I have a few more valentines to put in the mail and I'm enjoying every minute of the build-up to V Day.


I put my nose to the grindstone today and worked for hours polishing the material for my basic writing classes that begin next week as the college's spring semester launches. I've been away from the classroom since December 13th, so I'll need to find my pace and slip into the groove.

Today we had a bright blue sky without a cloud all day and late afternoon a strong breeze kicked-up, but as the evening settled-in the air calmed. Then a huge full moon climbed way above the horizon.

Good night from Southern California.
Rosie (& Mr. Fun), aka Carol