Scattering Valentines

IN A LIGHT LATE-WINTER WIND

In a light late-winter wind
the oak trees are scattering valentines
over the snow--dark red
like the deep-running, veinous blood
of the married, returning
again and again to the steady heart.

This leaf is yours, friend,
picked from the heart-shaped hoofprint
of a deer. She stood here
under the apple tree during the night,
kicking up sweetness, her great eyes
watching the sleeping house.

by Ted Kooser,
Poet Laureate of the United States, 2004-2006


Looking at this photo reveals the dozens of valentines that still need to be scattered. So it's time to scatter, scatter, scatter! The fun is arriving. I love this holiday!

Good night from Southern California.
Rosie (& Mr. Fun), aka Carol

P.S. The entire college district reported in today . . . one big "opening" meeting to kickoff the spring semester. It was a command performance for everyone at the Riverside campus; of the three campuses, Riverside is in the central location and technically it is the "mother ship" (the original campus). Way back on December 13th, I wrapped-up the autumn semester and walked away from the campus where I teach and into the Christmas holiday season and then enjoyed a January filled with wonderful vacation travel. So it is time to get back to the classroom. Next Tuesday, on Valentine's Day, I welcome a new group of students to the classes I will be teaching this semester.