We asked our Near and Dear to tell us something about today, the day when we celebrate love–or loss or absence or grief or joy or chocolate or the color red.  Valentine’s Day is one of those not-so-holy (or so-holiday) holidays we bump into on the annual calendar, on our way to spring, rebirth and Easter rising.  We didn’t really know what we’d get for our asking.

But get we did!  Julie Regan marks the loss of her dear friend, poet Stacy Doris, with an audio file of Doris reading.  Ashley Baxstrom tweets to the transition from innocence to experience.  Angela Zito gives us some heart-to-heart.  S. Brent Plate meditates on how we love.  Peter Manseau translates to English, likely for the first time, an anti-romance poem by the Yiddish writer Jacob Glatstein.  Anthea Butler reminds of what love tastes like.  David Metcalfe sends a poem of curiosities.  Adam Becker gets nostalgic.  Mary Valle remembers a brother’s love.  Genevieve Yue reminds us of spring.  George González does some emotional accounting.  Jeremy Walton notes the aptness of Ayatollah Khomeini’s Valentine to Salman Rushdie.  Amy Levin finds a Jew to love.

It’s an odd and fascinating assortment of reflections and observations from some of our favorite loves–our regular contributors, family and friends.  Happy Valentine’s Day!  We love you, we do!

 

“Month of Valentines” by Stacy Doris

“#MyGrownUpValentine” by Ashley Baxstrom with image by Angela Zito

“A Buddhist Valentine” by S. Brent Plate

“My Friend” by Jacob Glatstein, translated from the Yiddish by Peter Manseau

“A Valentine Offering” by Genevieve Yue

“My Wish this Valentine’s Day” by George González

“A Simple Dinner” by Anthea Butler

“St. Valentine’s Fallen Face” by David Metcalfe

“Heart in the Snow” by Mary Valle

“A Red Bagel” by Adam Becker

“The Gospel of Sacred Candy Hearts” by Amy Levin

“Be Mine” by Jeremy Walton

 

image: “Heart to Heart” by Angela Zito