What have saints to do with lovers
theirs the agony of agape and martyrs*
Valentine, the poet says, is strictly for the birds**
this day next season presses hard
such urgency and sweet mustering of mate
forever – or a fleet polygamous state
Rosie in red dress scents affection
loiters longer than the core condition
written in chambers of prenup passion
two lobes and vermilion pigment
percussive organ instrument
a crudely pointed rudiment
loosely transparent is Rosie’s habit
heart on sleeve the sensual hermit
one or other paid the forfeit
amid persuasion and procurement
amaranth a blooded figment
predictable death by denouement
This day Rosie listens on repeat
an unsettled old score-sheet
between interlude and introductory beat
there the grand pause for enchantment
quickening sections of musical movement
a simple saccharine C Major sentiment
What have saints to do with flowers
and chocolate – theirs an agony of briers
mine the decay of sugar soft centres
© Laura Granby 2016
*agape (say a-ga-pay) – selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love
** Valentine day first made mention in Chaucer’s “The Parliament of Birds”
More impressionistic than rhythmic, and putting something overly sweet into Poetry Pantry
PoetryPix 
As ever a complex, explorative and engaging poem – i particularly liked when you shift gear and we meet Rosie – she seems to bring the ideas to life..like a crimson rose in best bloom..quite brilliantly..
great feeback Jae Rose – Rosie is the personification of love’s labours lost! There are touches of Alice in her methinks
Ooh this is incredibly appealing 😀
so glad you think so ❤
I loved this Laura…I agree complex and so interesting with the italics as alternate to Rosie. Yes and what do saints know of flowers and chocolate!
the complexity came from the many different ‘voices’ the poem threw at me and nearly got away from my edits 😉
from “theirs the agony of agape and martyrs to “theirs an agony of briers” …trace the tears hidden underneath love….
and love lies bleeding – hence amaranth reference Sumana
So true, what have saints to do with flowers! This is a most unique Valentine’s Day poem!
thank you Mary – it was a struggle to form the heart shape from all the different pieces
I think this is so good.. so many layers, there is a some salt in your sweetness me thinks… (and I love it)
reassuring words from you as feared it was a mess – thank you -your comment conjures ‘salted caramels’ – rather a favourite of mine!
Indeed! What have saints and lovers to do with all the things that have been thrown their way.
they are two sides of loves 4D coin apparently
I really like the stanza about the saints, who received briers rather than flowers.
Love is sweet but not the agony of decay when it ends. Luckily true love lasts as two are stronger than one.
yes it hurts to love and to lose it too especially at the final parting – but without it we would all be more or less hard hearted
The pain of love; so bitter-sweet. Lovely. 🙂
aimed for a balance between the extremes 🙂
Interesting question!
❓ 🙄
Wonderful and like the style.
much appreciated ZQ