getting ready

you begin your
valentine's day
shopping
early.
perusing
the Victoria secret
ads, going down
to the local
adult store
for interesting
marital aids,
but nothing crazy
like whips
and chains.
you've mellowed
over the years.
you stop for
chocolates
and flowers,
wine, and a can
of mixed nuts,
those are for
you. it's exhausting,
vacuuming
and changing
the sheets,
spraying air
freshener about,
dimming the lights.
setting out
candles. now for
the hard part,
finding a date.