Rate:4.9 / 16 votes

Valentine

Susan Mayer Brumel

Free Verse
Valentine

My valentine of chocolates…
     Dark and mysterious,
     hearts of sweet liqueur
One taste of you —
     Intoxicating flavor bursts
     and lingers on my tongue
I take another and another…
     till all of you
     are gone
Staring at the glossy sheet
you rested upon,
     I gently lift it from the box —
     Happy to find more of you
                    …waiting for me

About this poem

I couldn’t think of a sweeter metaphor for romantic love than a valentine of liqueur-filled chocolates. Wishing you all a sweet Valentine’s Day.

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Written on February 07, 2025

Submitted by susan.brumel on February 07, 2025

20 sec read
364

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABCDEFCDGHIJDK
Closest metre Iambic trimeter
Characters 399
Words 67
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 14
Full analysis for Valentine »

Susan Mayer Brumel

A few years ago, I retired from a thirty-five year career in hospice counseling, at which time I began writing poetry. My poems are influenced by my patients’ journeys, the compelling beauty of nature, and the human condition. A lover of all animals and most people, I enjoy spending time in nature, long walks, and reading Pablo Neruda, Blake, William Carlos Williams, James Joyce, Mary Oliver, Emily Dickinson, Maya Angelou, Leonard Cohen, and more. Baudelaire tells us to ‘be drunk’ on something every day; I am drunk on poetry and intend never to be sober! more…

All Susan Mayer Brumel poems | Susan Mayer Brumel Books

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16 Comments
  • ThembieAngieeMt
    ThembieAngieeMt
    This is such a delightful and sensual piece. The metaphor is simple yet rich, making love feel indulgent and irresistible. I love how the rhythm mirrors the act of savoring each moment, building to that satisfying ending. A sweet and playful read! Thanks for the wishes. Wishing you a sweet valentine's too. 
    LikeReply 11 month ago
  • Vixility
    Vixility
    Oh man this is perfect! And eloquent! And (if you will indulge me one last ‘and’) a sensory explosion! So appropriate for this time of year …

    Now—time to buy myself a box.
    LikeReply 11 month ago
    • susan.brumel
      susan.brumel
      I just saw this, John. I hope you got a great big box of chocolates and ate every piece! :-)
      LikeReply3 days ago
  • yelskwah
    yelskwah
    The final lines, "Staring at the glossy sheet / you rested upon, / I gently lift it from the box — / Happy to find more of you / …waiting for me," introduce a surprising and delightful twist. The "glossy sheet" becomes a metaphor for the box itself, and the speaker's discovery of more chocolates suggests a renewed sense of pleasure and anticipation. This unexpected turn adds a layer of playful humor and leaves the reader with a lingering sense of delight. 
    LikeReply 11 month ago
    • susan.brumel
      susan.brumel
      Thank you for your thoughtful commentary. Yes, that’s exactly how I hoped the reader would feel reading it. It means a great deal to me that you like this one, because your romantic poetry is very beautiful. :-) 
      LikeReply1 month ago
  • philmaund
    philmaund
    Who can get enough love and chocolate? But I think you melted a few there...
    LikeReply 11 month ago
    • susan.brumel
      susan.brumel
      Funny guy. Bound to happen I guess when you mix the two! :-)
      Thank you for reading it.
      LikeReply1 month ago
  • mark.e.s
    mark.e.s
    Re-reading!
    LikeReply 11 month ago
  • Davyreilly
    Davyreilly
    Love chocolate, accompanied by a nice single malt. Well done Susan. Lovely thoughts.
    LikeReply 11 month ago
    • susan.brumel
      susan.brumel
      Thank you, Dave! Chocolate and a single malt sounds delicious!
      LikeReply1 month ago
  • ladyygracious
    ladyygracious
    Beautifully written! Thanks for the wishes.
    LikeReply 11 month ago
    • susan.brumel
      susan.brumel
      Thank you, and you’re welcome! :-)
      LikeReply1 month ago
  • JessicaWheeler
    JessicaWheeler
    This poem is delicious, my friend! Well done! Xoxo
    LikeReply 11 month ago
  • AmyMMosier
    AmyMMosier
    "happy to find more of you" - love that hopeful line.
    LikeReply 11 month ago
    • susan.brumel
      susan.brumel
      Thank you, Amy. I’m nothing if not ever hopeful. Lol
      LikeReply1 month ago
  • gary_dean
    gary_dean
    Second row!, That's the best feeling in the world. Good write.
    LikeReply 11 month ago
    • susan.brumel
      susan.brumel
      Thank you, Gary. Glad you enjoyed it.
      LikeReply1 month ago
  • Symmetry60
    Symmetry60
    Not sure if I want to sip some hot chocolate or take a cold shower here. Meh! I'll sip some hot chocolate while taking a cold shower to ponder this lovely piece of poetry. Beautiful job my friend as always. Off to chain swallow half a box of Lindt. ;-P 
    LikeReply 11 month ago
    • susan.brumel
      susan.brumel
      Thank you, Steve. Your comments reflect my intentions perfectly. Exactly how I hoped this one would be received. :^)
      LikeReply1 month ago
  • jn.selvadurai
    jn.selvadurai
    Brilliantly done Susan. Creative, romantic and yummy.
    LikeReply 11 month ago
    • susan.brumel
      susan.brumel
      Thank you so much for your kind words. Happy you enjoyed it.
      LikeReply1 month ago
  • karlcfolkes
    karlcfolkes
    An intoxicatingly chocolate-sweet Valentine sentiment for the tongue and heart and body and mind and soul to savor!
    LikeReply 21 month ago
    • susan.brumel
      susan.brumel
      Thank you, Karl. I’m very happy to see you enjoyed this one.
      LikeReply1 month ago
  • TanjaKlaric
    TanjaKlaric
    Great connection
    LikeReply 11 month ago
  • BellaTheMilkCarton
    BellaTheMilkCarton
    nice
    LikeReply 21 month ago
  • sharona.reeves81
    sharona.reeves81
    Divine imagery, Susan! A truly mesmerizing reverie.
    LikeReply 21 month ago
    • susan.brumel
      susan.brumel
      Thank you so much, Sharona! And for the 5 stars too. ;^)
      LikeReply 11 month ago

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"Valentine" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 16 Mar. 2025. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/212158/valentine>.

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