For my dear wife, Sherry. I think she will understand.
I Can’t Do This Anymore
I’m sorry, I can’t do this
This Valentine thing
Invented by man
And commercialized to the max
You know how I hate it
The way we’re controlled
And cajoled
Into buying things
To prove our love?
Are you kidding me?
Do I really need to purchase
Anything?
It does hurt me though
Knowing you love these things
These silly traditions and holidays
But, I just can’t get myself to play along
And I’m sorry
Sorry to have to tell you this
On this day
This supposedly all about love day
But… I can’t love you anymore
No, I can’t love you any more
On this day set aside for love
I can’t love you any more today
Than I did yesterday, or every day before it
I can’t love you any more
Than I did the first time I saw you
A vision in blue
Walking right in front of me
I knew in that instant
That very instant
As you hurried past, and I whispered…
God, I hope that’s her
I can’t love you any more, Sherry
I love you more than life, you see
And I just don’t know how
I can love you any more than I do
I hope you understand
Copyright © C. Mashburn
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Marbles In My Pocket ~ The Official Blog of Charles L. Mashburn ~ Poems, Short Stories, and random thoughts from the author of "Be Still... and know that I am God" 
Raivenne said
I’m going to presume you show your love in so many other ways throughout the year, that she’ll let this one pass (this time).
However, if we never see another blog post from you, we’ll know what happened. * insert big teasing grin here*.
charlesmashburn said
Uh-oh. Are you saying I might have stepped over the line with this one, Raivenne?
But, in answer to your first question; YES! Yes, I do! Every day!
zongrik said
that’s a really interesting way to look at this…i like it. i didn’t see it this way at all.
charlesmashburn said
Thanks for the visit and comment, Zongrik!
terri0729 said
Amen to that, Charlie!! I just said something similar to this to someone else yesterday 🙂 Why should there only be one day a year that we tell someone how much we love them? Just another money making operation! smiles, Terri
charlesmashburn said
Yes! But, um, I haven’t heard from Sherry since I posted this. I mighta messed up!
Thanks for the visit and coment, Terri!
terri0729 said
LOL, let’s hope not 🙂 She should know you well enough by now! Mark and I were laughing about this whole Valentine’s thing this morning when he said that he never buys flowers on this day since his first wife threw hers in the trash one time ’cause she was mad at him and I had to remind him that he has bought me flowers before, and not just on this day, ha-ha! He must just love me that much more than her 🙂 Just kidding, I know he does. But he had forgotten all about it. I stated that he gave me flowers when he bought me the stuffed gorilla with boxer shorts that said I love you on them. He said, “Huh, I did? Do you still have it?” I replied, “No, I threw it away!! Duh, it sitting right on the chest-of-drawers next to the bed, ding dong!” Gave us a good laugh for the morning anyway ’cause I’m the one who forgets stuff. Grins, Terri
charlesmashburn said
I finally couldn’t stand it anymore, so I emailed her. She said she never got it. Whew! Now… waiting again!
Sherry Mashburn said
Well, my mascara is running down my face, and I have to explain to the staff why I look like a racoon!!!
I love you, Charlie. And yes, I enjoy these special little holidays. But you show me each and every day how much you truly care . . . not just one day of the year.
charlesmashburn said
So… that’s good… that I made you cry? That’s my job?
I love you, darlin Sherry!
terri0729 said
So you can stop biting you nails now, LOL! 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Ah’ight den!!
naramalone said
I’m thinking a poem like this is way better than roses and chocolates or anything else.
charlesmashburn said
That’s what I was thinking!!
Thanks for the visit and comment, Nara!
Daydreamertoo said
Awww… yes, love is 365 days a year, not just one day all ruined by commercialism and making $$$ … lovely write.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much, Daydreamer!
Pat Hatt said
Yes you are 100% correct. This one whole commercialized diaper wearing man with an arrow day, can go away. The other days is when it should shine, not on the day the commercializing idiots tell you too.
charlesmashburn said
That’s what I’m talkin bout, Pat!
Thanks for the visit and great comment!
hedgewitch said
Nicely expressed, and any lady would be running her mascara to read this one, I think.
charlesmashburn said
That’s what she said! She wasn’t too happy about that part, but she liked the poem pretty good!
ManicDdaily said
Ha! Very sweet! (And a good way to avoid the line at Godiva’s!)
No, she’s very lucky. Thanks, Charles. K.
charlesmashburn said
I try to make every day special for my dear Sherry.
Thanks for the visit and nice comment, K!
brian miller said
ha this is hot…great love poem…love your word play in this…and yeah maybe you cant love more, but i bet she is a bit right about now…smiles…
charlesmashburn said
She’s a happy lady; I try to make sure she’s always that way.
Thanks for the visit and comment, Brian! Very much appreciated!
claudia said
oh i’m sure she understands….such an honest verse is better than any flowers or chocolate…smiles… lovely charles..
charlesmashburn said
That’s what I was thinkin, Claudia! And, she does understand. In spite of my numerous flaws, she allows me to be me.
Thanks for the lovely comment!
Dark Angel said
How ridiculously sweet you two are, made my night 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Yes, yes we are ridiculous and sweet!
I’m glad you enjoyed the poem!
pure2core said
That’s really a very nice poem..Even I feel the same..Thanks for share..
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much!
I appreciate the visit and nice comment!
Beth Winter said
This poem means so much more than a dozen roses that begin their wilt before you get through the check-out line. Wonderful!
charlesmashburn said
I agree!
Thank you for the visit and wonderful comment, Beth!
oceangirl said
This tears me up. The most beautiful poem I’ve ever read.
charlesmashburn said
Oh, wow! Thank you very much, Ocean Girl!
I appreciate the wonderful comment!
sillyfrogsusan said
Writing prose is so romantic! Kudos!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the visit and comment, Susan!
Laurie Kolp said
Sherry’s one lucky lady!
charlesmashburn said
That’s what I was thinkin!
Thanks for the visit and comment, Laurie!
Linda Kruschke said
Love it! For Valentine’s Day I got a card that said “Still not sick of you,” followed quickly by a more traditional card in case the funny (but true) one didn’t go over so well. I would have been happy with just the funny one. It made me laugh. 🙂 Peace, Linda
charlesmashburn said
I think the second one was insurance, and I’m thinking you didn’t laugh hard enough at the first one!
Thanks for the visit and comment, Linda!
Linda Kruschke said
If I didn’t laugh hard enough it was only because I hadn’t yet had my first cup of coffee. 😉
charlesmashburn said
Okay. I better write that down under rules for giving valentines! 46. Wait til she’s had first cup of coffee
Thanks for the tip, Linda!!
wordsandthoughtspjs said
I hate commercialism and it has seeped into this country terribly. Well said. Sherry is one lucky girl.
Pamela
charlesmashburn said
Me too! On both counts!
Thanks for the visit and comment, Pamela!
Mary Mansfield said
What a sweet poem! A small piece of your heart in verse form makes the perfect Valentine’s present 🙂 Sherry is definitely a lucky woman.
charlesmashburn said
I haven’t written a Valentine’s poem for Sherry every year, but I know I’ve done at least 10 in our 16 years, and probably about a hundred poems for other occasions and just because. I’m pretty sure she knows I love her a whole bunch!
Thank you for the nice comment, Mary!
Heaven said
This is very sweet….much better than receiving flowers that wilt, and chocolates that are consumed….indeed it is everyday that we show our love ~
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much, Heaven. I agree! Every day!
patriciaspreng said
perfectly delightful… a wonderful surprise in the word play. Nice to meet you. =)
charlesmashburn said
Nice to meet you, too, Patricia. Thank you for the wonderful comment! Please stop by again!
Neha said
This is a very special valentine’s gift!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the visit and nice comment, Neha!
bajanpoet said
No, I can’t love you any more
On this day set aside for love
I can’t love you any more today
Than I did yesterday, or every day before it
Awesome verse, Charlie! Sherry IS a lucky girl 🙂
Well put 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much! I think your Valentine poem is awesome! Never give up!
bajanpoet said
Thanks so much Charles 🙂 I’m not giving up – I’m still writing the wordshine into her heart 🙂
Voyages Vistas Vino said
Your wife must have been thrilled with her Valentine gift of the heart.
Cheers,
Mark Butkus
charlesmashburn said
I believe she was, Mark!
Thanks for the visit and comment!
Bianca said
I had a bit of a laugh at this because I don’t do valentines day but being quite young I know how some girls react to it, they think its the bee all and end all. All jokes aside, this is a beautiful poem and your wife is lucky to have someone who cares so much about her all day, every day. I am sure she understands very well!
charlesmashburn said
Good for you, Bianca!
I’m glad you liked my “valentine”.
Thanks for the visit and comment!
elizena said
God started the days of love the moment He created us and we should celebrate His love, the biggest, most awesomely perfect love, every day of the week. I too hate the commercialized Day of Love…well except for the chocolate! This diabetic loves her chocolate. LOL! But seriously we treated Tuesday like what it was, another gift from God and we went to worship practiced and showed each other the love of our Father in us. By the way, I’m sure your wife forgave you, because the love God gave you for her is not a one day thing, but a 24 hour, 7 days a week thing. You are both so blessed to have each other. Blessings my friend!
charlesmashburn said
Sherry is without a doubt my greatest blessing on this earth!
Thanks for the wonderful comment, Elizena!
wayside word garden said
What lovely thoughts… I am thinking Sherry will greatly appreciate your words much more than Hallmark’s… 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Oh, yes. I haven”t bought her a card for any occasion in 16 years. She loves it!
Thank you for the visit and comment!
PoetJanstie said
Charles. Belated visit after you were kind enough to read and comment on my Valentine’s Day poem. This is just a fabulous take on 14th February. I love it! I think you either a cynical grumpy old man like me, or ahead of yourself and poo poo the damned commercialism of every single special day ever created by man to celebrate God or any other noble or philanthropic cause you can shake a stick at. Well done my man.
charlesmashburn said
Right on both counts! I’m a little bit of the grouchy old cynic, and a whole bunch down on the commercialism of EVERYTHING!
Thanks a bunch for the great comment!