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History of Valentine's Day.....Part 1
| Open Poetry #12 |
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History of Valentine's Day.....Part 1 |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
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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". |
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| © Copyright 2001 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Enjoy history...thank you for the research, and the sharing.... |
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SEA 
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676with you |
Balladeer~ something to think about..........  -SEA |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
very interesting.... i wondered who he was... i thought he mighta just been some guy hallmark made up... but anyway, this is a wonderful write, michael.... very well thought out and executed... sounds like you did a little research... i particularly liked this line... "A week-long orgiastic setting where all lust was fed -" hehe... what fun! (do any research on that one? LOL *wink*) |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Sunshine...yes, I love history, too...and discovery. Thank you.... SEA....yeah...that it's easy to lose your head on Valentine's Day!!  Doreen...No, no research on that one. I'm too young  Glad you enjoyed |
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Krawdad Member Elite
since 2001-01-03
Posts 2597 |
Enjoyed this very much, thanks for doing it. |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
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". ===================== its always the daughters that gets them in trouble LOL ... she must have brought him spam, huh?  (sorry it was just too easy) very cool write poet sir... looking forward to the next installment of wisdom jm If my slight Muse do please these curious days ... The pain be mine ... but thine shall be the praise. ~Shakespeare~ |
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Kethry Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082Victoria Australia |
Deer one very illuminating write and you said you couldn't. You Have such style and grace, in your write and on your face. Write on Kethry Those of us who refuse to risk and grow get swallowed up by life. Patty Hansen. |
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CocoBaci Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 3043 |
Balladeer, I enjoyed reading this and I thank you for sharing the history of sweet Valentine with us... |
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kcsgrandma Senior Member
since 2000-09-24
Posts 1522Presque Isle, ME |
Balladeer, I just came across this story a couple of days ago, with all the basic points you have included, but you have told it with so much more grace and style! I enjoyed your version very much. To love another person is to see the face of God. - Les Miserables Marilyn |
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Irish Rose Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263 |
it's wonderful, my favorite day of the year! Kathleen |
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2dalimit Member Elite
since 2000-02-08
Posts 2228Mississippi coast |
Thanks for the history lesson. I was not aware of the details. But your version in rhyme made it very interesting. Melton |
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Marsha
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423Maidstone Kent England |
'Deer love, this is wonderful, I've always loved history, and this did a brilliant job of bringing it alive. I often think that if only had the chance to do history the way everyone else learnt it I'd know so much more. (We only did women's history, very strange school we girls attended) This however makes up for my patchy history lessons, and it is a wonderful piece from you as well. So where's part two? Don't tell me I have to wait! Good grief love, I haven't got all day!! (I'm sorry I couldn't resist either, I can resist anything except temptation!)Utterly wonderful written with your usual flair and it is absolutely fabulous. Thank you for this, now bring on the rest Take care love as always Mushy < !signature-->Take back the hope you gave,- I claim Only a memory of the same Robert Browning [This message has been edited by Marsha (edited 01-31-2001).] |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
Wonderfully written Michael ... such a smooth flow, bringing with it the wisdom and history of the ages. I've read the stories, and you've brought this beautifully to poetic form ... loved this ... you're the master of words sweet poet! Best wishes, /Kit [This message has been edited by Kit McCallum (edited 01-31-2001).] |
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jellybeans Member Elite
since 2000-10-13
Posts 2298 |
I had never ever heard the story of Valentine, thank you for sharing the story and enriching it with your gift of writing |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
krawdad...and I thank you for reading JanetMarie...yep, always the daughters....and he was a priest!! Kethry...thank you...but there's no grace to the face right now...maybe some day Coco Baci...I'm very glad you enjoyed it. Thank you Grandma...I'm glad you liked my version Rose...why does that not surprise me? Thank you!! Melton...thank you. History is filled with very interesting things to be explored. Glad you enjoyed it .... mushy...make you wait? NEVER! twill be forthcoming...thank you for attending class Kit....once again your kindness makes me weak..what a wonderful supporter of my pathetic efforts you are...thank you !!! jellybeans...most people haven't...I'm pleased you liked it. Thank you for the kind words |
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Charisma
since 2000-09-30
Posts 5906lost in blue pages |
Glad to know these history....and the meaning behind Valentine.....thank you for sharing ((hugs)) Charisma |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I swore that I would not be seen Reading Valentine's poems and turning green With envy at someone else's sappy delight When my own heart hurts. It didn't seem right. But I saw this poem by Balladeer And opened it up ... though my heart feared Hearts and flowers, I found instead A bit of history to be read. Valentine's day is more than a card It's a time to remember that love is hard But worth everything we have to give With all of our hearts, as long as we live. Wonderful poem, Balladeer... and ROFL @ JM and the spam... could even a priest resist? *G* |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Yep, I thought Hallmark made up the name...well, I still find that after all these years, I still learn something new everyday.....not usually in such an entertaining way, though! Fabulous poem, Sir Balladeer! Say, who was the big mouth that gave away his secret ceremonies? *tsk, tsk* Terrible behavior, I'd say. Denise |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
Oh yes, you have written of this lovely holiday's history so very well! I remember that he was going to be put to death, but many admired him and told him that he was their valentine, and so he has become such an admiration throughout history. Excellent poem, my friend, thank you for sharing, I'll be sure to read Part II! May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Thank you very much, deer, for this wonderfully done and informative piece of history...I found it very interesting. |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
Thank you deer this is indeed a very interesting piece of history.going now to Part 2 Maree |
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Mother_Earth Senior Member
since 2000-11-20
Posts 13701/2 year Texas & 1/2 year Michigan |
Wonderful, Balladeer, to get to have a history lesson and read a great poem all at the same time! Now I am going to "read the rest of the story". Love this one! Hugs, ME |
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