Once a priest named Valentine
was beheaded in AD two-six-nine.
At least, according to this book of mine,
Which adds that there were two other Valentines.

I don't know much about the other two,
but I assume that they were martyrs, too.
All three were eventually canonized
for being holy in the church's eyes.

In the sixteenth century, Saint Francis de Sales
Saw a ritual in which young pagan males
Would get random cards with the names of girls,
whom they would then woo (in some parts of the world).

Francis made cards with the names of the saints,
In the hope that the Pagans would be what they ain't.
It utterly failed, but oh well, at least
He linked Lupercalia with an innocent priest.

Then Al Capone's men in Nineteen-Twenty-Nine
Gunned down their rivals in a line.
Sadly for me, there were not nine,
but seven. Which I can't make rhyme.

This holiday thus has different meanings
felt by people according to their leanings.
To some, its a day for flowers and candy;
To others, a reason to get blitzed on brandy.

The heart was chosen for about the same reason
As roses, to show the intent of the season.
See, it's said that they look like parts of the body,
which I won't describe except to say that they're naughty.

Champagne and chocolate are frequently seen
as being "romantic" whatever that means.
As symbols for something that's vaguely defined,
They still stand for something ineffably fine.

So, keeping all off these things in mind,
The sex, the deaths, the flowers, the wine,
The devotion of priests, and the passage of time,
Will you be my Valentine?

Thats a good one, Spirit....thanks for sharing.

....Happy Valentine's Day, Everyone!....

LoL Informative yet humorous, I love it! Happy Valentine's Spirit. *hugs*

Utterly Gorgeous... Well done.

Hi Spirit.....that was really good...How do you do it