he pours a glass of
sweet red wine, lights a candle,
pulls her close to him...
softly stroking as they sway...
shadows on the wall...
blood-red rose petals
cling silently to green stalks
as bodies embrace,
making love in loveless form,
hearts impaled on thorns.
she rises from him;
taste of sorrow stains her lips...
feelings fading fast,
petals dive from dying stems,
drop upon the floor...
each retreats into
their self-imposed loneliness,
falls asleep detached,
apart from dreams of romance
and comforting touch.
cold of night creeps in.
fresh roses and fantasies
fall victim to frost.
another valentine cries
over candy hearts.