Valentine Poem by Euginia Tan

There is a red felt heart
Emblazoned on your
Shirt pocket. Strawberry tart
Baked fresh from the oven
In a cardboard box.
Packed. For the boy
Whom your father shakes his head at
When he hears him at the gate.
The boy who is skinny
With a tattoo on his ankle.
The boy who skips classes and
Who cusses at his mother.
You are whistling as you work.
While you prepare these things
He is lying in bed,
Dreaming of the day
He can swing your red panties
Around his crooked finger.
Dreaming of something he
Aches to taste
Sweeter than the pastry
You have slaved all morning
To bake.