First Valentine
Roses are individual manifestations of a type,
and, like violets, are a not yet conventional
expression of a future traditional sentiment,
as am I. What I’m trying not to say is, I don’t
not. That is, if you, oh my emotional regulator—
to be which, the cosmos with you long labored.
It’s work you will some eon work out, but in
this instant’s eternity, you beholding I flare,
I frost, I gloom, glare, gloss my doom, repeal
myself and all creation not created you. (To be
repeated as oft-
en as roses wilt or violets bloom.)
— Basil Cartryte
2026-02-14