Valentine's Day

For "Her."

I pray your pardon this Valentine's Day,
For I purchased no card, nor roses red;
No pricey candies, nor Teddy bears; nay,
I make thee a solemn promise instead:
Time will ravage tokens of devotion;
No delight kindles once flowers are dead.
Stale cocoa will not long fire passion;
Nor pretty paper forgotten once read.
I fear, as years pass, plush toys do grow bald.
But, Dear Muse, my love shall remain undimmed
By ages; surviving beyond the pall
Of death, to be celebrated in hymns.
   This affect for thee outlasts holidays;
   It will e'er stand 'gainst wither and decay.

Ninth Step

For "Her."

Do not presume your ninth step is my first
Toward granting absolution. In truth, your
Effort is wasted on a man well-versed
In scorn; possessed of a heart love abjures.
Struggling to amend rips open old wounds
Festered in a decade of bitterness;
Revealing a soul where malice abounds.
Of sin I stand not guiltless, but confess:
‘Tis not my place nor power to excuse
Others, while I cannot forgive myself.
No, I am a fool whose mind is abused
By allowing hate to feed on itself.
Though pardon’s a grace that sets conscience free,
You’ll have to go on healing without me.

A Sonnet as Apology to Christina Alvarado

Pray, pardon this inarticulate fool,
Struck dumb gazing upon Venus’ face.
I’ll strive to bestow, with God given tools,
Flowery words to match your Thespian grace;
The tempest past, for ready pen I reach,
Vainly to search for a rhyme to submit
In excuse of silence, or stutt’ring speech,
And to worship thus from paper pulpit;
Oh, sweet Muse, fire of my fevered mind,
Judge me gently and allow me to vie
To once more feel your gentle hand in mine,
And gain one more look in your timeless eyes.
Accept these weak lines of admiration,
For I could not give voice in exaltation.