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| Valentine's Day card, circa 1910 |
DISCLAIMER: This post is not for children. Particularly if you are my children, I promise you WILL be grossed out, so stop reading here.
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Back when I was single, Valentine's Day rarely lived up to expectations. What, for me, was a day to be dreaded, mocked, or secretly fantasized about, I realize now, should never have been taken so seriously. That is, unless you happen to have a fetish for pagan party life.
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| Lupercalia Festival, Artist Unknown |
"The lovers' holiday traces its roots to raucous annual Roman festivals where men stripped naked, grabbed goat- or dog-skin whips, and spanked young maidens in hopes of increasing their fertility," said classics professor Noel Lenski of the University of Colorado at Boulder."
Whoa. Bet you didn't know that! And if you're into that kind of thing... ? Well, I don't need to know, thanks anyway.
Nowadays, Valentine's Day is driven less by whips, and more by retailers, but I still would like to support the heart, if not the history, of the occasion. I prefer to think of this day as being set aside to express our appreciation for all the special ones in our lives... not just the ones who bring home flowers and chocolate. This can be done simply with a hug, a kiss, a note, a few extra minutes, a rub behind the ears, or maybe just a "thank you" that we didn't forget to say.
That's why, for today's Five for Friday party, I would like to thank the whole Poetry Friday community by sharing kisses-- smooches and smacks, pecks and puckers, snuggles and squeezes. Think of it as a spin-the-bottle block party! To join in, please describe a kiss of any kind by using five words or less (plus title if you like) and leave it in the comments. I will then move them here so we can all enjoy the Valentine amour together.
I also hope you will show Linda Baie some love for hosting today's Poetry Friday roundup. You can find her at TeacherDance.
BABY'S FIRST KISS
butterfly's
touch
softly
lingers
-Michelle, Today's Little Ditty
WHEN-YOU'RE-SICK-KISS
cool rain
on fever-drenched
forehead
-Irene Latham, Live Your Poem
Your heartbeat
against my cheek.
-Doraine Bennett, Dori Reads
Grandson,
hand on face
waves to me,
grins-
blowing a kiss!
-Linda Baie, TeacherDance
(Yes, I'm letting her get away with 5 lines instead of 5 words. Wouldn't you?)
YOURS:
minty, soft, tender, loving
-George Heidenrich
MINE:
hungry, eager a little tongue --
-George Heidenrich
MEMORY OF A FIRST KISS
Behind school
he hummed,
smooched.
-Buffy Silverman, Buffy's Blog
she butts my head
with hers
feline affection
-Liz, Elizabeth Steinglass: poet
2ND GRADE LOVERS, 1972
I get in line in front
of Leo and his 'fro.
On the stairs the class pauses.
I tip my head back as far
as it will go. Leo
drops a juicy kiss
right between my eyebrows.
We continue to the Music room
where we sing
"The child is black;
the child is white..."
-Heidi Mordhorst, my juicy little universe
(For this, I will give her all the lines and words she needs!)
CAT KISS
Instant
laugh
bonus
facial
exfoliation.
-Diane Mayr, Random Noodling
Scene...
Argument...
Must not kiss....
-Larry Zelig Nehring
TALL/SHORT SMOOCH
On
Steps
Is
Easier
-Keri Collins Lewis, Keri Recommends
BEARABLE
furry snout
berry breath
growl
-Mr. Cornelius, Jama's Alphabet Soup
Your
soul's breath
resting upon mine.
-Myra Garces Bacsal, Gathering Books
FIRST KISS
Lips part
chewing his
gum.
-Bridget Magee, wee words for wee ones
CHOCOLATE KISSES
I melt
as our
lips meet.
-Catherine, Reading to the Core
YOUR KISS
lingers
in
my
memory
-Mary Lee Hahn, A Year of Reading
Eskimo,
Butterfly -
No lips
Kisses!
-Donna Smith, Mainely Write
FIRST KISS
Head
on
shoulder
till
he
gets
the
hint.
-Carmela Martino, Teaching Authors
ETERNAL KISS
tearful
last moment
forever goodbye
-Cathy Mere, Merely Day By Day
cool rain
on fever-drenched
forehead
-Irene Latham, Live Your Poem
Your heartbeat
against my cheek.
-Doraine Bennett, Dori Reads
Grandson,
hand on face
waves to me,
grins-
blowing a kiss!
-Linda Baie, TeacherDance
(Yes, I'm letting her get away with 5 lines instead of 5 words. Wouldn't you?)
YOURS:
minty, soft, tender, loving
-George Heidenrich
MINE:
hungry, eager a little tongue --
-George Heidenrich
MEMORY OF A FIRST KISS
Behind school
he hummed,
smooched.
-Buffy Silverman, Buffy's Blog
she butts my head
with hers
feline affection
-Liz, Elizabeth Steinglass: poet
2ND GRADE LOVERS, 1972
I get in line in front
of Leo and his 'fro.
On the stairs the class pauses.
I tip my head back as far
as it will go. Leo
drops a juicy kiss
right between my eyebrows.
We continue to the Music room
where we sing
"The child is black;
the child is white..."
-Heidi Mordhorst, my juicy little universe
(For this, I will give her all the lines and words she needs!)
CAT KISS
Instant
laugh
bonus
facial
exfoliation.
-Diane Mayr, Random Noodling
Scene...
Argument...
Must not kiss....
-Larry Zelig Nehring
TALL/SHORT SMOOCH
Standing
Steps
Is
Easier
-Keri Collins Lewis, Keri Recommends
BEARABLE
furry snout
berry breath
growl
-Mr. Cornelius, Jama's Alphabet Soup
Your
soul's breath
resting upon mine.
-Myra Garces Bacsal, Gathering Books
FIRST KISS
Lips part
chewing his
gum.
-Bridget Magee, wee words for wee ones
CHOCOLATE KISSES
I melt
as our
lips meet.
-Catherine, Reading to the Core
YOUR KISS
lingers
in
my
memory
-Mary Lee Hahn, A Year of Reading
Eskimo,
Butterfly -
No lips
Kisses!
-Donna Smith, Mainely Write
FIRST KISS
Head
on
shoulder
till
he
gets
the
hint.
-Carmela Martino, Teaching Authors
ETERNAL KISS
tearful
last moment
forever goodbye
-Cathy Mere, Merely Day By Day
Hi Michelle - love me some kissing! Smooch back at you, poetry friend. Unfortunately we've had sick children all week:
ReplyDeleteWhen-You're-Sick-Kiss
cool rain
on fever-drenched
forehead
Thank you for sharing this tender 5-word kiss, Irene! I hope your children are feeling much better soon.
DeleteYour heartbeat
ReplyDeleteagainst my cheek.
Interesting history, Michelle... I can see why you wanted the kids to stop reading! Love your kiss idea, will return all day to see what happens! Here's mine!
ReplyDeleteGrandson,
hand on face
waves to me,
grins-
blowing a kiss!
Those airmail kisses are simply scrumptious, aren't they?
DeleteOops, that's what I get for "not" reading directions! Please don't tell my students!
ReplyDeleteMy lips are both puckered and sealed. ;)
DeleteLoved this little kisses -- a great reminder that love comes in many forms, from many places. Maybe, if I'm lucky, I'll get a rare kiss from Sammy the Schnauzer today.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a rare treat indeed. I would like a kiss from that chocolate cake you baked yesterday!
DeleteI bet you can come up with five words about Sammy....?
DeleteYours: minty, soft, tender, loving
ReplyDeleteMinty sweet little ditty, Pops. I don't suppose you want me to post the one on FB too...? ;)
DeleteMine: hungry, eager a little tongue --
ReplyDeleteOops, may have grossed out MY kids :-P
Ack! You do!
DeleteYou do realize your grandkids subscribe to this blog...? I guess they can't say they weren't warned.
DeleteMemory of a First Kiss
ReplyDeleteBehind school
he hummed,
smooched.
Love the humming!
Deleteshe butts my head
ReplyDeletewith hers
feline affection
Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...
DeleteHee hee spin-the-bottle block party! I need more than five words and more than five lines, too.
ReplyDelete2nd Grade Lovers, 1972
I get in line in front
of Leo and his 'fro.
On the stairs the class pauses.
I tip my head back as far
as it will go. Leo
drops a juicy kiss
right between my eyebrows.
We continue to the Music room
where we sing
"The child is black;
the child is white..."
Heidi Mordhorst 2014
Oooooh, you can come and play anytime, Heidi!
DeleteCat Kiss
ReplyDeleteInstant
laugh
bonus
facial
exfoliation.
I like the head butts, too, as Liz has already pointed out!
Nothing like a sandpaper tongue spa treatment! I had a cat once who used to wake me up each morning by licking my eyelids.
DeleteThis was fun! I loved the ones you shared...and the ones they inspired in the comments.
ReplyDeleteYou should join in, Tara!
DeleteScene...
ReplyDeleteArgument...
Must not kiss....
I like this, Larry-- thanks for joining in!
DeleteSuch fabulous variety! As always, Diane makes me laugh out loud.
ReplyDeleteHere is mine, in honor of my 6'5" husband, who loves 5'2" me!
Tall/Short Smooch
Standing
On
Steps
Is
Easier
(I have the words staggered like steps but I don't think the comment box likes it!)
I took a stab at staggering the words the way you want them, Keri, but I'm not sure how successful I was. It's a great little(/big) ditty! Please let me know how to make it just the way you envisioned.
DeleteIt's perfect! Thanks! ;-) And, I'm very jealous that you got a kiss from Mr. Cornelius!
DeleteBearable
ReplyDeletefurry snout
berry breath
growl
Yours truly,
Mr. Cornelius
xo
Be still my heart! I got a Valentine's kiss from Mr. Cornelius!!!!! I think I'm in berry breath heaven. :)
DeleteYour
ReplyDeletesoul's breath
resting upon mine.
Happy Valentine's Day Michelle! :)
Beautiful! Happy Valentine's Day to you too, Myra.
DeleteHappy Valentine's Day, Michelle! Thanks for spreading the love...and kisses today!
ReplyDeleteFirst Kiss
Lips part
chewing his
gum.
This made me laugh! Nice one, Bridget.
DeleteWhat fun! Hope you had a lovely Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeleteChocolate Kisses
I melt
as our
lips meet.
Catherine
A perfectly delicious ditty for Valentine's Day!
DeleteYOUR KISS
ReplyDeletelingers
in
my
memory
Lovely-- romantic and everlasting...
DeleteEskimo,
ReplyDeleteButterfly -
No lips
Kisses!
With the winter we've been having, I bet there are a whole lot of people kissing this way!
DeleteLove these, Michelle! I also did not know the unusual origins of Valentine's Day...
ReplyDeleteWho knew?! Thanks for stopping by for a smooch, Becky.
DeleteWow, a kiss from Mr. Cornelius! You really have had a lot of kisses, Michelle!
ReplyDeleteThe more the merrier, I say!
DeleteWhat a fun post, Michelle.
ReplyDeleteHere's what I came up with--couldn't find a way to express it in only 5 words, though:
First Kiss
Head
on
shoulder
till
he
gets
the
hint.
I know, that five word limit can definitely be a challenge. So glad you joined in though, Carmela!
DeleteMichelle,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading everyone's contributions. What an interesting idea. I thought I'd give it a try. I don't think I've quite found the words for saying goodbye to a loved one.
Cathy
Eternal Kiss
tearful
last moment
forever goodbye
A difficult moment to put into words, for sure, but this is lovely, Cathy.
Delete