We are really feeling the love out there on this Valentine's Day. I've got dark chocolate in my mouth and beautiful flowers on my desk from my sweetie. I'm all good.
Kim Thompson, who teaches at Fresno Pacific University, has a little bigger picture in mind. She felt moved to express her affection for her true love -- the Valley -- in this very thoughtful Valentine poem. How about you? Is there a poem inside you about Porterville? A haiku about Hanford? A limerick about Lemoore?
A Love Poem for the San Joaquin Valley on Valentine’s DayO Valley,
In your arms I became myself.Your love displayed as countless fields, neat rows, well-watered
An intentional care, an unmeasured abundance
Of every good thing.Though I left you and traveled the world
You welcomed me back, you tamed my wild spirit
With the smell of your blossoms, the feel of your earth, the taste of your fruit.You soothed me with lullabies of dreams, with language of justice for everyone
who sought to make a home with you.
In the sound of your voice, and your voice only,
I found rest.My love, where have you gone?
I look into your face, and you are not there.
Disguised by a thick haze that you fashioned yourself, you give away your beauty for profit.I longed to make a humble home in you,
And you gave me a chimera of subdivisions
Now sitting empty, a graveyard of hope.Your spirit of care has turned darkly into a spirit of greed
And you in turn create poverty.I am losing you, my love.
Come back to me.
All my dreams are hidden in you, a thousand seeds in your fertile soil.
The breath of our most loving times
Swirls and lingers like the sweet fruitfulness of Spring.Valley, your soul is my life,
Your body – my heart.Come back to me.
Come back.
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