Seventy-two hours remain
Three plastic hearts to find

I am racing the clock
After work to catch
The store special
Scented with synthetic roses
And drowning in glitter

Hope floats on a bubblegum cloud
With heart-shaped candy stars
The world is a giant strawberry
Dipped in chocolate
Waiting for a grand gesture
From humanity on its knees

And while the winter breeze whispers
Sweet clichés and
Recycled phrases
Love is being dragged
Through seas of rustling
Tissue paper

Time stands still on the
Street corner: the world
Holds its breath
For a heart-shaped surprise

And I am breathing
The cleansing scent of
Your presence
The soft pink rose petals
Of your actions scatter
A path to the
Constant in the crowd

Your chocolate-dipped love
Gently hugs my tired evenings
And wraps a ribbon
Around my life

A rock to anchor my soul
In an ever-changing universe
A gift to treasure

Red bow optional