Love is NOT a Diamond! By Sharon Flood Kasenberg

Love is NOT a diamond -
a bauble that is bought.
It has many facets,
but flashy it is not.

Love is not bedazzled
like jewelry you wear;
not measured in Karats
or debt you need to bear.

Don't believe commercials -
a diamond isn't love.
If you want a symbol,
buy your mate a glove!

One glove can be quite useful -
if the truth be told -
to warm up the other,
the hand that you don't hold.

It will mold to fingers
allowing them to flex;
won't bind them like mittens
and make movement complex.

And when nicely fitted
it's comfy and it's warm -
keeps hand warm and cozy
through every nasty storm.

Why should hands be shackled
by gems that once were coal;
stones mined by slave labour
that sucks a poor man's soul?

Rocks polished to brilliance,
then marketed as "love"?
Ha - it sounds so silly!
I'd rather get a glove!

By Sharon Flood Kasenberg, Feb 11th, 2017

"Ha!", you're saying, "I'm onto this Rhyming Muse! She's obviously a very unromantic killjoy who complains about flowers one Valentine's Day and diamonds the next! I'll bet she attacks chocolate next year!"

So let me put your mind at ease. I don't hate Valentine's Day and it's safe to say I'll never complain about chocolate - which is on my top ten list of the best gifts to give for any occasion : )

But I will admit that you're half right. I'm not a huge fan of this particular holiday. It does seem to be mostly a big marketing ploy by florists and jewelers to sell their wares. And all the more power to them, but I'll just never be sold on the idea that flowers or diamonds equal love.

When we got married we were poor. My engagement ring was actually a birthstone ring (semi-precious stones at that!) that was purchased on sale. The cheque written for my very modest gold band bounced. No big flashy ring ever appeared to take the place of that engagement ring, and I'm okay with that. We've been happy - and are happier still because we've never incurred massive debt by spending a ton of money we didn't have on big glistening rocks that are supposed to be proof of my husband's undying love. Did you know jewelers have worked out a formula that estimates what percentage of your income you should spend on an engagement ring? Sorry, but that sounds beyond crass to me.

Maybe I am more pragmatic than romantic, but I just can't help but think that extravagant gifts given on holidays can't accurately demonstrate how much a person loves you. I like the symbol of a ring - the circular shape that signifies eternity, but who says the ring needs to be expensive to mean something? Any gift can mean something - even a glove! Heck - buy a whole pair and you'll have two occasions covered! Now and later symbolism for a pittance!

Sometimes people get caught up in symbols - especially status symbols, like well - ostentatious jewelry. They might attach meaning where there is none - telling themselves they're loved because a big bouquet of flowers showed up on their desk on February 14th or a lovely turquoise box was presented just before dessert. (I think those boxes are pretty. Love that shade of turquoise. - but I digress...) In my experience a lot of the men who make big showy gestures a few times a year don't do much to demonstrate their devotion the rest of the time.

Here's the part where I brag. My husband doesn't spend a fortune on me, but he's generally got a smile on his face when he walks through the door. He speaks so highly of me that I'm always a little worried that his friends and work colleagues will be disappointed when they actually meet me. He gets me - laughs at my lame jokes most of the time and expresses appreciation for the routine things I do. He listens to me, talks to me and actually likes me after twenty eight years of marriage.

So these verses are for him:

And now to you, husband -
so long I shopped for love.
Thankfully I found you.
You fit me like a glove.

You are my rock, my diamond -
my flash of brilliant blue,
and your love is proven
by everything you do.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone - even if you do have to settle for diamonds or flowers : )