Bought  in a giddy moment

when happiness outweighed intellect

the card now haunts me

for what do you do

with an unsent valentine?

 

Cherry red and black

my favourite colours

except I can’t wear it

the corset ‘s too brief

and the feathers might itch ;)

 

Can’t throw it away

it cost the price of a G&T…

but I can’t drink it either

it might stick in my throat

paper mâché my tonsils

leave me speechless

in Seattle

or Wigan…

 

Can’t save it

for some future, faceless lover

cos words don’t pass on

like parcels or packages

and 

“ You & Me

That’s something to Celebrate!”

might stick in my throat

like paper mâché

tarnishing his now

with my then

 

I could raffle it for charity

à la Naked Muse Calendar

(all proceeds to the British Heart Foundation)

similar, short shelf life, I suppose

though sex sells faster than love…

 

I could maybe advertise it on ebay

people do sell the craziest things

why not lost dreams

and broken hearts?

Except I might be had,

for misrepresentation

cos this old heart of mine aint broken

just weary

its valves, ventricles, vascular chambers

intact, undiminished, untarnished, un…

 

For now,

the cherry and black monstrosity

lies in my bedside cabinet

awaiting its final destiny

all suggestions on a postcard please

marked 

‘Love’s Labour’s Lost’