ON VALENCE
(to my ValenceTime)

I've lost myself to love!
I'm the vanished man!
I was the victim of
A beautification plan.

I find I've lost my heart.
(Stuck somewhere in a drawer)
And Sundays never start
'Til champagne pours at four.

I've also lost my brain.
(It never was a big one)
She claims I'm the one insane.
(Her middle name is Sigmund.)

My foot is gone, I'm told.
(It might be with my head)
She says its hers to hold
At the bottom of the bed.

Good Lord, I've lost my rear!
Is it behind the fridge?
Wait! I'm sitting on it here.
Watching one more hand of bridge.

My hands go somewhere else
With each degree of valence.
I can't keep them to myself
When we get in balance.

But, I found one shot at life.
I'll be lucky when its through.
I've gained the peerless wife
We've filled the years as two.

I wondered once before.
(I hoped but didn't know)
If there'd be fifteen more,
Sixteen Valentine's ago.

-- Steve Stinson