SATIRE: "IT'S NOT VALENTINE'S DAY" BY MR RICHARD

It is hours spent on flowers and chocolate towers,

And on winks from the links in front of cocktail drinks, 
Those new shoes to choose, causing toes to bruise, 
With a dress to impress that reveals so much flesh.

Hearts wrapped, strapped and stacked in hollow cracks,
Promises purchased and placed in fake jewellery cases,

Candlelights burn in the night to expose the delights,

And the noise in their voices express made-up-choices.


Roses paraded, displayed like decorated trophies,

Where the cost of trust is complemented by lust,
Wishes become staged kisses to cover up near misses,

As desire, a dressed-up attire, looks for what to acquire.

Then come love lines with poured-out wine as they dine, 
More champagne to maintain the campaign illusion, 
As jewels so new sparkle, blinding all that is true,

You are lifted as one gifted to be cherished for pleasure. 

And at the end of it all, petals now fall to the floor,
And the spill from the will no longer carries the thrill.
What is in line is not Valentine’s but an art of our time,

It is a reminder that strife is rife in this lust-driven life.

© MR RICHARD OYIBO 

(The Passionate Poet)

- Britain 

The poem critiques the commercialization and superficiality surrounding Valentine’s Day, portraying it as driven by materialism, lust, and staged affection rather than genuine love. Through vivid imagery of flowers, wine, jewellery, and rehearsed romance, it exposes relationships built on illusion and temporary pleasure. In the end, it concludes that what is celebrated is not true Valentine’s love but a reflection of a lust-driven and troubled society.