Do you recall our one-room school
When we were full of fun?
And February fourteenth came,
And studying was done?
With squeaking shoes and sidewise glance,
Each walked the center aisle
And dropped his red heart in a box…
I was too scared to smile.
A pretty girl would lift the lid
And loudly call the names,
While others sat and hardly breathed
Until their own turns came.
I count the many years since then
And better things I know
Have blessed me; yet, they’re not so dear
As red hearts long ago.
Ideals Valentine issue 1984