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Open Poetry #18
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Balladeer
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since 1999-06-05
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Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

0 posted 2002-02-12 10:25 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".

© Copyright 2002 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved
SEA
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with you
1 posted 2002-02-12 10:29 PM


I still have this!(floating around here somewhere) I printed it for my kids last year... I like this one
Enchantress
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since 2001-08-14
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Canada eh.
2 posted 2002-02-12 10:50 PM


Gosh Michael...where do you store all this info.  I would suffer from brain drain!  But then...I suffer from it anyway...LOL.
Great write here!
~Hugs, Nancy~

~Love transcends time and space~

Sunshine
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Listening to every heart
3 posted 2002-02-12 10:56 PM



Has it only been a year since we last saw this treasure?  So good of you to bring it back for the new folks....thank you!

Mistletoe Angel
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4 posted 2002-02-13 08:28 AM




BRAVO!!! BRAVO!!! OH MY GOSH, YOUR LOVING HEART SHINES WITH THE TRUE MEANING AND ORIGIN OF VALENTINES DAY, I LOVE IT!!! (BIG HUGGGSSSSS) This is absolutely beautiful, sweet friend, I am adding this to my library to forever remind and share with others the love of Valentine spirit! YAY!!! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Michael, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

[This message has been edited by Mistletoe Angel (02-13-2002 08:28 AM).]

amigo
Senior Member
since 2001-10-12
Posts 520
the earth school
5 posted 2002-02-13 10:58 AM


Thank you for the repost, Michael dear...the true spirit behind it all should never be forgotten...to my collection it goes...
LngJhnAg
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since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508
Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion
6 posted 2002-02-13 11:02 AM


Thjis wouldn't be the last time a man lost his head over a pretty maiden who had a plate of food for him.

Nicely written, Mike.

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
7 posted 2002-02-13 01:28 PM


Thanks for the history lesson, Michael...and it was spun so well into a poem...just the way only you can spin them.
Happy Valentine's Day...and thanks for sharing this one with us.

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

RosePetal
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since 2001-08-26
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South Florida
8 posted 2002-02-13 01:31 PM


I love the way you write stories, you just bring them to life. so stud, will you be my valentine? *wink  hehehhehe
Interloper
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Deep in the heart
9 posted 2002-02-13 02:08 PM


i didn't know this either ... I'm beginning to have feelings of inadequacy ... but not as inadequate as Long John.

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