Valentines

Photo: (c) Jamie K. Reaser

Years ago, on a day near spring,

the world came to life.

Music was found in every bush

and near every stream.

The composers played not instruments,

nor did they have hands, nor lips.

Yet the music played on,

and many melodies mixed.

The suitors chose their lovers,

and the lovers gave them

their hearts.

On the couples sang,

and the melodies took new form:

No longer were they solo,

but now duet.

As the daylight grew dim,

the songs broke off,

And all the wood birds were silent.

~ Jamie K. Reaser, Author

Written for a 10th grade 'Humanities Class' assignment

Note: Valentine's Day - like many of the holidays celebrated in modern times - appears to have its origins in practices intended to honor Nature. However, at the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius outlawed the season's Nature-based traditions (probably related to Lupercalia festivities) and declared February 14th to be 'St. Valentine's Day.' The Middle Ages mark the beginning of 'love' as a focus of the holiday. At that time, it was commonly believed in England and France that February 14 indicated the start of the breeding season for birds - and thus the date became associated with romance. The first written Valentines didn't begin to appear until 1400AD.

Whether or not we have a certain someone to celebrate love/romance with on Valentine's Day, we can all take a moment to honor that one relationship that sustains us throughout our lives - Nature's gift of abundance.  Consider putting a little something special out as a reciprocal offering to the birds...