Valentine's Day: It's Valentine's Day

See the love and hear the laughter?

Muffled sounds and silly giggles

Resounding from behind a closed door;

Happy children's voices!

A still-winter day;

More chilly weather pending,

Another month of sudden, snowstorms,

Slippery slopes to slide,

New icy paths and trails to explore;

The quiet realm of winter wonder

Ever clothed in white mystery

For all to see.

Ski jackets hanging on a doorknob,

Warm, woolen sweaters tossed on a chair,

Red and white striped socks,

Long, soft scarves unknotted,

Bright, red mittens on strings;

Snow boots;

Retire those skates?

Is it too soon?

Love this weather!

Brilliant sun rays bouncing

Politely over obliging snow banks

Piled high with snow;

Brilliant rays of warm, winter sun

Fragmented,

Scattered through the ice;

Slushy snow just beginning

To get serious about melting;

Growing puddles everywhere.

Water trickling from black rooftops

Only one drop at a time;

Icicles stretching out their long legs;

Hot chocolate with tiny, white marshmallows,

Freshly popped popcorn,

Peanut brittle;

Chocolate fudge!

What a wonderful day!

Birds twittering softly,

Flitting in and out of tree branches;

Fragile buds waiting to burst!

Entwining hearts

Becoming one heart

Engraved forever

On an old, oak tree trunk,

Its branches still laden with heavy ice;

Long forgotten?

Perhaps;

Yes, it's February fourteenth again;

More children building snowmen,

Tossing snowballs at one another.

Tall black hats,

Big black buttons,

Peculiar carrot noses;

Each snowman decidedly different;

Not one ready to melt yet.

Children with bright red cheeks

Playing happily, enjoying their day;

Streamers, hearts and balloons,

All saying "I love you!"

In silent ways. 

"Be mine!"

A celebration pending;

Sweet, dark chocolates

In a red, heart-shaped box;

One small, black case,

A single strand of white pearls;

A dozen and one long, red roses,

Softly scented perfume,

With a fragrance divine;

A secret lover,

Still in hiding somewhere;

The giver of a perfect valentine.

The best valentine of all;

Happy smiles on excited children's faces.

Hand-painted valentines

Taped to a kitchen door;

Heart-shaped, oatmeal cookies,

Magically appearing on a red tablecloth;

Freshly baked, not yet iced.

Tantalizingly sweet,

A warm surprise.

One gold ring sitting on a coffee table;

Could it be love eternal?

A Valentine's Day card

Still to be opened;

Two small wine glasses,

Partially filled with sweet, red wine,

There to be sipped by someone special

And someone else;

Cupid's bow perched at an angle

Over the doorway;

His arrow always ready;

Cupid himself

Snuggled in a big red bow;

It must be love!

Nostalgia,

Forever moments to lock away;

To treasure;

Exciting new memories ever emerging;

A new holiday this year;

The first Family Day pending!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day officially becomes Family Day.