Heart shaped box of red and white
Lacy, white and delicate
Pasted pictures of red hearts
Ready just to celebrate
Pudgy hands with fingers tight
Holding on to dreams
Little boy... eyes a fright
Just take a look at him
Hair slicked back with Daddy's gel
Shoes all shined and polished
Nerves in bunches... still he beams
Shirt all white and starched
Waiting for Miss Susan
She ventures into sight
His smile blows up and then his grin
He sucks in breaths with all his might
She smells just like his mother
His heart is in a race
His knees are just a'rocking
Oh! For goodness sakes
Then Miss Susan bends her knees
Then takes his hand in hers
She brushes back his tossed bangs
Her tears causing a blur
The teacher and this little boy
All fresh and smelling nice
Beams of joys traded then
More than once or twice
The first crush for this little lad
The first time for this teacher
The first of first for both of them
Will make their memories richer
Valentines are for the heart
To tend the garden there
Every year I remember Paul
And the smile that he put there
I have so many riches
They shine within my soul
On Valentines they appear anew
To have again and hold.


Susan K. Rowse
©Copyright February 2002