Time Machine:

We found this little poem in 2024 among my Mother's papers in very rough form. She likely recopied it with further edits for Daddy on the Valentine's Day of their fortieth year of marriage -- 1978.

 

Happy Valentine's Day

                    by Ruth Baird Shaw 

Happy Valentine's Day, My Love!

This verse is from my heart.

I could not find a card just right

At Rich’s or Kmart.

So with my pen and paper,

Sans talent and sans time,

I wrote for you this love note

In my infamous rhyme.

How do I say I love you

With words that your heart hears?

Browning counted up the ways;

I’ve totaled up the years.

How do I love thee?

Let me underscore

That 40 years count all the ways

That Browning named -- and more!

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