February 10. 2010
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Phil Appleman an amazing poet, recently sent this poem to his friends for Valentine's Day and included this note. "Monday is my (84th) birthday, and Margie and I will be celebrating it here in cozy Florida by going dancing. Margie is fine, and sends her greeting along with mine. The day after that, Feb. 9, Garrison Keillor will be reading “This Year’s Valentine” on his NPR program, “The Writers Almanac.” Happy Valentine’s Day, Darwin Day, and Presidents Day! What would it be like if more marriages had this kind of fierce dediction and passion? Wow! Read and learn.. THIS YEAR'S VALENTINE They could pump frenzy into air ducts and rage into reservoirs, dynamite dams and drown the cities, cry fire in theaters as the victims are burning, but I will find my way through blackened streets and kneel down at your side. They could jump the median, head-on, and obliterate the future, fit .45's to the hands of kids and skate them off to school, flip live butts into tinderbox forests and hellfire half the heavens, but in the rubble of smoking cottages I will hold you in my arms. They could send kidnappers to kindergartens and pedophiles to playgrounds, wrap themselves in Old Glory and gut the Bill of Rights, pound at the door with holy screed and put an end to reason, but I will cut through their curtains of cunning and find you somewhere in moonlight. Whatever they do with their anthrax or car bombs, however they strip-search or brainwash or blackmail, they cannot prevent me from sending you robins, all of them singing: I'll be there. Philip Appleman, 2010 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
