Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue

Remember those fun valentines you’d be so excited to give your friends back in grade school?  I can remember handing out my Barbie valentines to all the kids, boys included.  Hey, they made Ken ones too!  Back then I only cared about Barbie’s perfect saying and her matching outfit on the card.  I never seemed to think about was the message; that was, until I took a Writing and Visual Arts class last spring.  It was at that point that I took a completely different look at Valentines.

In this class, we were encouraged to experiment with the message of an old valentine, but in a non-traditional way.  I bet you recognize the normal witty Valentines messages like these to the right:
 

Looking through the Valentines that lay on the desk that day, I didn’t find any varying from that norm.  There were all sorts spread over the desk.   Some with real pictures of couples “in love”, some with hearts and teddy bears, a couple with clever sayings like the ones above, and then there was one that really caught my eye.

It was lying there, near the edge of the desk, untouched among all the other valentines.  Other students lingered around the desk and got near it, but never seemed to even give it a second glance.  So that’s just what I did; and as I got closer, it got even worse.  From a distance I had noticed a young girl, almost looking like a rag doll, grasping a puppy in her arms.  But, as I leaned in closer, I noticed those bulging eyes and with the help of my imagination I created what I believe to be one of the most disturbing anti-valentines.  I could try to describe my valentine creation to you, but I think it may be easier if you just see it for yourself.  Beware: viewer discretion is advised.  The message reads:

Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

What you’re about to read,

Is completely true.

 

Everything you’ve said,

Has been my clue.

Your ears may soon bleed,

But I’ve been watching you.

 

Now before you’re dead,

Cause your moments are few,

Know my love is guaranteed,

Since your time is almost due.

 

Now don’t you heed,

To me subdue.

You’re something I need,

Like the morning needs dew.

 

Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

I’ve planted my seed,

I’ll be watching you. J

 

I’m sorry if I toyed with your view of Valentine’s Day.  I promise, the poem is fictional.  But, this Valentine’s Day I encourage you to experiment with your imagination.  Maybe don’t make it this extreme, but impress your friends, your significant other, or that co-worker you’ve been trying to make an impression on since the day you’ve met.  Surprise them by just creating a tiny, unexpected twist on your own personal valentine.   Whether you wish to attempt and anti-valentine or just create your own valentine here is a website to get you started:  http://www.tinyprints.com/tiny-prints-valentines-day-cards.htm

 



Libby Spencer is a junior at Silver Lake College.  She is majoring in English (with an emphasis in Writing) and minoring in Spanish.  She enjoys spending time with her family, coaching and participating in sports, and of course, writing.