sentimental and Substantial

on this day

marked more often

by flowers and candies

and songs and candles

i'm thankful for

the kind of Love

that is both

sentimental and Substantial

the Love that delights

in facing endless challenges

with tireless patience

placing boundless needs

before our own

(not out of martyrdom

but in centered freedom)

embracing countless bruises

and runny noses

(and other wounds

that pierce our skin

and our hearts

like thorny roses)

with faithful Compassion

Gracing and Healing

our fear and shame

and revealing within us

our own true Name

the Love that lights

the candles and Cosmos

and delights in surprises

that arise when circumstances

change our game of Life 

into a game of Twister

that threatens to throttle

our wits 'til they blister

and we respond

not by clocking

the chaos catalysts

but by striking

foolishly funny poses

the Love that sings

the Song that resounds

throughout the heavens

and abounds universally

in all the spacings

where kindness is found

(tracing fathomless distances

with Hopeful reverberations) 

and yet can 

only be heard 

by you alone 

reminding you

that because

of this Love

you are 

never

truly 

alone...

#ValentinesDay2023 #Epiphany2023 #AssistFromOscarWilde

('You'll Never Walk Alone' © Peter Valve)