Mid february

Surviving another Valentine"s Day
I buy myself flowers
And have them gift wrapped in
     Bright red tissue paper
     Red and white ribbons
A gift? She asks? Sure
Why not
And then I notice
Among the festive flowers
And chocolate displays
A depleted man
With a dozen red roses looking equally
Worn
He is so new at buying flowers
He has lifted the entire black plastic water
Tub bringing it with him and the roses to check out
I am tempted to mention
There are more roses outside the store
By the door
If he wants a fresher look
But he is not thinking
About the flowers
Or even noticing them
Thank goodness the
Beaming tissue and ribbon bearer
Is here
To offer him
An honorable deliverey
If Hallmark suggested
Windshield wiper blades
Most of us would
Be slapping rain
With precision
Mid February