suggested reading method
To best savour this artwork, please take a moment to eliminate distractions. Consider minimizing all other windows on your computer; putting other devices (phone, tv etc) aside; taking a deep breath, to the full extent of your lung capacity; and focusing solely on the “artwork” section.
Once you’ve processed that to your satisfaction, the rest of the post is optional reading, provided only to share my own impressions and reasons for choosing this piece.
artwork
Valentine’s Afternoon
Four lanes over, a plump helium heart—
slipped, maybe, from some kid’s wrist
or a rushed lover's empty front seatthrough a half-cracked car window—
rises like a shiny purple cloudlet
toward today’s gray mess of clouds,trailing its gold ribbon like lightning
that will never strike anything
or anyone here on the forsaken ground,its bold LOVE increasingly illegible
as it ascends over the frozen oaks,
riding swift currents toward the horizon,a swollen word wobbling out of sight.
by Michael McFee, published in Poetry in 2002, and online via The Poetry Foundation.
interpretation
I read at least a dozen poems called “Valentine” or “Love” for this Substack, but I liked this one best. “Valentine’s Afternoon” narrates a simple, everyday, nearly-forgettable event – a stray, heart-shaped balloon floating away – in language that gives the occurrence extra poignancy.
I notice how McFee describes the balloon in rich terms: “plump,” “shiny purple cloudlet,” “gold ribbon.” This physical representation of the pure concept of love remains unsullied by the “half-cracked car window” and the “forsaken ground,” the imperfect world we live in. As a species, we always aspire to love – even as the word is “swollen” with all the implications and expectations people pump in, as we see in romance movies and the like.
One might think the ending of the poem is depressing as the balloon floats away, out of sight. I actually think this emphasizes that love is a special, heavenly concept. And/or (you pick!), this emphasizes that we can only feel love during our relatively short time on this planet. Either way, the fact that love remains out of reach is part of its appeal. We keep striving to bring love back – which I think we can do by embracing those close to us on days like Valentine’s. 💞
context
Michael McFee (1950s - present) is a poet, editor, and essayist from North Carolina. He has published dozens of books including twelve books of poetry, and has taught in the Creative Writing Program at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill for decades.
Did you enjoy this poem, or do you have any other Valentine’s poems or songs to recommend? Feel free to share your own thoughts in the comments!
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Thank you for sharing that charming poem, and for underscoring the meaning of Valentine's day.
I must confess I'm of two minds when it comes to societally designated special occasions and/or holidays... On one hand, I bristle at the forced nature of the day, the widespread hype and over-the-top orchestration, and the predictable retail bonanza that ensues. Restaurants and florists love the fact they have eager celebrants over a barrel and price their wares accordingly. I suppose one can hardly blame them, but should we need to be reminded and even cajoled to celebrate and appreciate those we love? If so, why this one day only? Upon further reflection, however, I inevitably accept we are typically so busy spinning in our own little orbits it is helpful to have a reminder – no matter how crassly commercial – to stop, gather ourselves, take the time and extend a heartfelt gesture of love and appreciation toward those for whom we care. Not because we have to; because we wish to. Moreover, there's nothing stopping us from making it a daily occurrence. So, Happy Valentine's Year to all!