That snowy Valentine's Day
of 1968,
I was a shy 6th grade
schoolgirl,
my heart thumped
only for the boy who's
desk was across the
classroom,
his name was James,
with chestnut brown
hair and a lot of
self- confidence in
his sky blue eyes.
His clique and he
frequently bantered
and laughed,
the night before,
I carefully wrote
out a Hallmark
Valentine card of
such exquisite beauty,
a large red heart
bordered by
antique-white lace,
as I penned my
devotion to him,
I thought for sure
he would be so
impressed.
I decided to also
sign my name to
it so everyone
would know it was
me,
convinced that
Valentine's morning,
I would be his
new girlfriend.
The next morning,
while everyone in
class was distracted,
having fruit punch
and cookies,
I boldly but quietly
with Valentine card
in hand,
placed it just inside
his desk,
I sat back down at
my own desk,
my throat and my
mouth so dry,
my pulse throbbing
in my ears.
He came back to his
desk,
lifted the card up,
read my pledge of
unwavering love,
as his clique began
laughing,
and teasing him,
he didn't even look
my way,
just shrugged it off.
My schoolgirl's heart
broke that wintry
Valentine's Day,
so many years ago,
although I was
rejected,
I had the guts to
write how I felt
to my,
"Never Valentine,"
but, I appreciate
still to this day,
that my unrequited
love for James,
wasn't cruelly
exploited by him
and his clique,
they let it go,
so I could spend
the rest of the
school year
in peace. ~
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