V-Day Verses Poem by Padmanabhan Ananth

Each mall I visit is dressed up for this day
Love's angels fly in to turn pink, every grey
Pink paper hearts flying to mild breeze
With pink thrones, heart-locks and keys

Vendors display wares to catch the eyes
Of the shopaholics, onlookers, lovers, fans
Cards, imported chocolates, sweets, cakes
Perfumes, gadgets, goodies for love's aches

Florists eager to deliver red-rose bouquets
Hotels inviting couples to exclusive banquets
Most e-commerce websites' cash registers
Ring non-stop with multitude of mail orders

All this excitement did set me wondering
I must, about this fete, know everything:
It's celebrated in memory of St. Valentinus
Of third century AD in Terni of the Romans

This priest performed many a wedding ceremony
To Roman soldiers who were disallowed to marry
For that 'offence' he was arrested and executed!
His death anniversary is now bring celebrated

Valentine's Day, to express love's romance
Seems here to stay, setting lovers in trance
Some here say 'this is just colonial influence
A vulgar display of no good consequence! '

Some right-wing men said: 'in public places
No kissing, no hugging, no exhibition gross! '
For this they were 'rewarded' in the cities
With dozens of packets of (yikes!) pink panties!

Who can question the youth, their choices?
Who can contain their celebration of joys?
'All is fair in love', is that we no doubt know
We may as well rejoice and go with the flow!

I told my Valentine who's with me here:
'I love you today as dearly as I do all year! '
Every day with her has been momentous
Today’s more special, thanks Valentinus!