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Balladeer
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0 posted 2011-02-14 03:27 PM



His name was Father Valentine, a Roman Catholic priest,
Beheaded on the day before the Lupercalia feast,
An annual event in Rome held always on that date
Where men pulled maidens' names from jars and took them for their mate.

The feast was just a small excuse for wild debauchery
As drunken soldiers stripped the maids of their virginity....
A week-long orgiastic setting where all lust was fed -
The Roman agriculture god was used as figurehead.

The emporer decreed no military man be wed
For fear they would not fight but stay with family instead
But Valentine performed the vows in silent secrecy
And, for this act, he was condemned - accused of treachery.

While interred in that prison Valentine began to feel
Love for the jailer's daughter, who brought him the evening meal.
The day he died he wrote her notes and, under each last line,
He finished with these simple three words.."from your Valentine".

He was later given sainthood...became the symbol for the day
That's come to stand for love that we still celebrate today
So, every time you send a card, reflect before you sign
On that young priest who first used those words "from your Valentine".

There are so many great traditions of this special day
Tender things and silly gestures that have passed our way.
One can only be amazed at things that lovers do..
Let's take a little look through history and pick out a few.

In the Middle Ages, maidens also drew out names
And were allowed to pick out batchelors for their lovers games.
They pinned the names there on their sleeves and left them there for days
Thus, "wearing your heart on your sleeve" became a common phrase.

In England, children dressed as adults, went from door to door
Singing of St. Valentine, collecting coins and more......
"Good morning to you, valentine
Curl your locks as I do mine
Two before and three behind
Good morning to you, valentine."

In Wales, they traded wooden love spoons to their lover fair
Engraved with hearts and keys and keyholes showing that they care.
When maids received a spoon with keys engraved into the bowl
It meant that "you unlock my heart" with marriage as its goal.

In the early 1700's, to America it came
And some will say the country has not ever been the same!
Now Canada, Mexico, France, Australia, U.S. and U.K.
All recognize this holiday that's known as Lovers Day.

So, all you Passion poets, please enjoy this special day.
It's rich in deep tradition and there was a price to pay.
Let someone know on this day your love and friendship's true
And, as for me, I wish the best to every one of you!


    

© Copyright 2011 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved
nakdthoughts
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Between the Lines
1 posted 2011-02-14 03:32 PM


and to you, Michael~~

*smiling*

M

serenity blaze
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since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

2 posted 2011-02-14 03:39 PM


"a wooden love spoon"

*laughing*

Never heard of such a thing.

*cracking up now*

You do know I'm going to walk around with "a wooden love spoon" in my head for the rest of the day, now?

lawsy, Have a hug, Balladeer.



--------->gotta go catch our nakedthoughts!


Balladeer
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3 posted 2011-02-14 03:58 PM


Thank you, Maureen!

Hey,  Serenity gal, those Danes have a reputation for being a little kinky, yanno?

Sunshine
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Listening to every heart
4 posted 2011-02-14 04:29 PM


I've always enjoyed this,
thanks for the reprise.




Balladeer
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5 posted 2011-02-14 04:43 PM


Thank you, Sunshine....wanna spoon?
Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
6 posted 2011-02-14 06:52 PM


Nicely done and very informative. Happy Valentine's day to you, Balladeer.
                                     Ida

JerryPat2
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since 2011-02-06
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South Louisiana
7 posted 2011-02-14 09:33 PM


Learned something today. Nice work.

~~ All those who believe in telekinesis, raise my hand ~~

Balladeer
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8 posted 2011-02-14 11:00 PM


Happy Valentine's Day to you, too, Ida.

Thank you for the read, Jerry.

graying1
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since 2011-02-09
Posts 53
The Commonwealth of VA
9 posted 2011-02-15 05:33 AM


this is amazing
enjoyed

Peter

faithmairee
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since 2011-01-05
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Poe Haven, USA
10 posted 2011-02-15 06:07 AM


Great wonderful poem.  Did not know all this and it was very interesting to read.  Love it.

There must be a poem in here somewhere.

Balladeer
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11 posted 2011-02-15 07:42 AM


Glad you enjoyed, Peter!

faithmaree...there are so many interesting things tucked away in history, aren't there? I'm happy I broadened your horizons a touch...thank you, my friend

easy1
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since 2010-05-22
Posts 1209
Southeastern USA
12 posted 2011-02-15 12:55 PM


Very nice!
I think I learned something, too...

Some of this reminds me of the Lammastide (midsummer) fairs I've read of in old time Scotland where trial marriages of one year's length could be legally made---and ended with no strings attached the next year.

Balladeer
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13 posted 2011-02-15 03:27 PM


Wow! Those Scots knew how to live!
Richy
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14 posted 2011-03-09 06:17 PM



Well I'm glad I went back and dug this one up what a wonderful work of art you've created here. Michael you have a way of teaching others in this fantastic way, what a great tool for learning this whole poetry thing can be. I can just see parents and grandparents alike reading this tale, in its melodic style to their children teaching them these little tidbits of history and tradition. Bravo to you young man!

You need to write more often my friend, I know we all get busy, but you are our storyteller extraordinaire so gets to penning, we all need a nice fireside tale like this one to relish and keep with us, close.

Very well done my friend!

A very belated, but happy, VD day to you too!

I'm sorry, I couldn't help meself... haha!

Balladeer
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15 posted 2011-03-09 06:31 PM


Of course you couldn't...and I would have been disappointed if you did! Thank you, sir..
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