VALENTINE’S DAY
Today is Valentines day, if you are loved, rejoice,
Parents, children, sweetheart, spouse or friends voice
To cheer you and help you along life’s arduous way,
Show that you appreciate them, say thank-you today.

You see children coming home with many a Valentine card,
It was fun at school for many, others it was cruel and hard,
They who had no money to make or buy for their friends,
Those who are not popular and each year the hurt deepens.

I saw a small girl with tangled hair, torn clothes and sad eyes
In her at school made Valentine bag there was not one prize,
Not one card, the pain she felt showed on her face so keen,
The hopes of the day tumbled in thoughts of ‘might have been’.

Her steps were slow and painful, her head hung down low
As all alone and silently sobbing homeward she did go,
If only she had one card, then she could give it to the family,
But her bag was quite empty nothing pretty or funny to see.

She heard her name, a voice saying more cards are found,
They had fallen from my desk and had scattered all around,
Open up your bag Helen, I hope there is room enough inside,
The sad tears changed in a moment, her joy she could not hide.

A true Valentine heart glowed in that teacher on that day
When he saw a hurting child so sad and hurting walk away
Without a Valentine card, he kept a few to make things right,
Happiness filled them, he smiled as she skipped out of sight.

(Millicent) Ann Margetson 14 February 2004