Roses are red

It is February and along with that is the season of love. One of my teachers had her students make some Valentine cards to send to soilders in Iraq. The cards were quite lovely. My favorite went like this:

"Thank you for helping us win and I hope you don't get shot because if you do I will start crying and then I will see you in the newspaper. Thank you soilders. Love, S."

You can just feel the love and encouragement. Just for kicks, I decided to keep this card for myself. I don't want to feel like anyone got jinxed by this card. We can just say her heart was in the right place.

And speaking of a heart in the right place, my youngest step-daughter, Little Miss Sunshine, got a text message today from a friend. And it went like this:

"Roses are red.

Violets are blue.

I like boys

But you may just do.

Go to the prom with me?"

And she said yes. Mr. Strong is a little clueless as to why his lovely daughter wants to go to the prom with her gay friend. But I get it. He will know how to dress and dance. He can even help out with her makeup and hair. And there are no worries about lewd suggestions or dark corners. How perfect is that!

And from there, I've been thinking of how little I have used the "Roses are red" poem for the various people in my life. It is the perfect poem for rewriting to whatever special occasion or particular person you intend it for.

Here is one for my husband.

"Roses are red.

Violets are blue.

You snore so loud.

That's why I kick you."

And one for my sons.

"Roses are red.

Violets are blue.

Here is some money.

Should I schedule a time to see you?"

And, of course, one for the dog.

"Roses are red.

Violets are blue.

Your poop really stinks.

It smells like cheese fondue."

For the student who drank out of the toilet.

"Roses are red.

Violets are blue.

Was bobbing for turds

Really the right thing to do?"

I think I'm going to use this poem more often. Who would you write a poem to? And what would it say?