Fun With Valentines

By Jacque J and Lou

Author's Note: Here's a thought. The NY chapter of Jasna has asked its members to submit valentines for its February meeting. It seems to me that the Guild contributors might want to take up this thread and see what we can come up with. They have suggested categories (most authentic, most humorous, most unusual selection of recipient, most like Jane Austen's own writing), though you all may have other ideas. I have doodled two which I will put on the table (feedback is welcome!). Any other takers out there? --Jacque J

By Jacque J

To Charlotte, My Bride,
My little wife, my paramour,
I could not love you any more
Than I already do, you see,
For you are all in all to me.
When late at night we meet (oh, my! --
The very thought does make me sigh!)
Your languid touch in me instills
Such happiness, such unknown thrills.
My honey-cake, my pudding-pie,
You are the sweet-meat of my eye.
And when at night I chance to dream,
I dream of you, it makes me beam.
So, Valentine, to you I say,
We'll to our nest this very day --
But not until the fullest moon --
I promise, then, to make you swoon.
I promise, too, connubial bliss,
A tryst you will not want to miss.
Good day, till then -- alak the wait! --
My little wife, my perfect mate.
Your Affectionate Husband,
William Collins

By Jacque J

To E.D.,
In the early months of our acquaintance, you did, albeit unknowingly and unwittingly, take possession of my heart. After breaking it -- quite decisively, I might add -- you unceremoniously returned it to me. A period of time passed during which I despaired of it ever being mended. That was a time during which I doubted that happiness would ever be within my reach.
Now I find that you have taken my heart again. In your safe-keeping, and with your nurturing, it is better than mended. It is restored to a power of affection that I never thought possible. You have made my happiness.
I write to you today, not to ask you to be my Valentine -- it is too late for that. I write to tell you from my heart that you already are, and always will be, my one and only Valentine.
Affectionately,
F. D.

Dear Heart By Lou

am writing to you today, dear heart. For today was the first day in all my life that you have failed me.
I have carried you with me for these eight and twenty years. You have guided me through joys and you have guided me through trials, you lifted me up when I was left alone. You have shown me right from wrong, good from bad. You have given me pride, in my family and in myself. Today I wore you on my sleeve and you made me confident.
You have made me arrogant.
Today, a young woman's words broke you, but not without just cause.
My head tells me to stop caring for her.
My soul tells me my life must go on.
My eyes see the truth.
But not until it was too late.

I am writing to you today, dear heart. For today was the first day in many that you have allowed me to hope.
I have carried you with me these few months, begging you to mend. But you would not. You nearly sprang from my chest, when I happened upon her. You lifted me up, so that my feet never touched the ground. You gave me the sense to not ask for too much.
You have made me hopeful.
Today, the young woman smiled at me, and you beat faster.
My head tells me I must be careful.
My soul tells me to go to her again.
My eyes see promise.
But I am afraid.

I am writing to you today, dear heart. For today was the first time you bore her anguish and sadness for the grave misfortune she must suffer.
I have carried you with me through the years, each time the villain appeared. You drove me onward, to make right what he made wrong. You gave me the means and the fortune to fight him. You saw her tears and fell.
You have made me bitter.
Today, the young woman cried and you melted.
My head tells me to be rational.
My soul tells me to comfort her.
My eyes see grief.
But I am determined.

I am writing to you today, dear heart. For today was the first day in all my life that you have known redemption.
I have carried you with me through all the ups and downs. I have felt you turn from sadness and despair to rapture and elation. You nearly stopped today when I asked if she cared at all for me.
You are finally mended.
Today, the young woman spoke to me of a change of heart.
My head tells me I will know happiness.
My soul tells me that it belongs to her.
My eyes see their glorious future.
And there are no doubts.
I praise you dear heart, for you did not fail me after all.

Elizabeth folded the worn paper she had found in her husband's coat. She placed it back in the pocket where it had been for some years. The left breast pocket of the blue coat he had worn on their wedding day.

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the end