Valentine | 情人节 by John Fuller

Valentine by John Fuller

The things about you I appreciate

May seem indelicate:

I’d like to find you in the shower

And chase the soap for half an hour.

I’d like to have you in my power

And see your eyes dilate.

I’d like to have your back to scour

And other parts to lubricate.

Sometimes I feel it is my fate

To chase you screaming up a tower

Or make you cower

By asking you to differentiate

Nietzsche from Schopenhauer.

I’d like successfully to guess your weight

And win you at a fête.

I’d like to offer you a flower.

I like thehair upon your shoulders, Falling like water over boulders.

I like the shoulders too: they areessential. Your collar-bones have great potential (I’d like your particulars infolders, Marked Confidential).

I like yourcheeks, I like your nose, I like the way your lips disclose

The neat arrangement of your teeth (Halfabove and half beneath) In rows.

I like youreyes, I like their fringes. The way they focus on me gives me twinges.

Your upper arms drive me berserk. I likethe way your elbows work. On hinges …

I like yourwrists, I like your glands,I like the fingers on your hands. I’d like to teach them how to count, Andcertain things we might exchange, Something familiar for something strange. I’dlike to give you justthe right amount And get some change.

I like itwhen you tilt your cheek up. I like the way you nod and hold a teacup.

I like your legs when you unwind them. Evenin trousers I don’t mind them.

I like each softly-moulded kneecap.I likethe little crease behind them. I’d always know, without a recap, Where to find them.

I like the sculpture of your ears. I likethe way your profile disappearsWhenever you decide to turn and face me. I’d like to cross two hemispheres. Andhave you chase me.

I’d like to smuggle you across frontiers.Or sail with you at night into Tangiers. I’d like you to embrace me.

I’d like tosee you ironing your skirt. And cancelling other dates. I’d like to button upyour shirt. I like the way your chest inflates. I’d like to soothe you when you’re hurtOr frightened senseless by invertebrates.

I’d like you even if you were malignAnd had a yen for sudden homicide. I’d let you put insecticide into my wine.

I’d even like you if you were the Bride OfFrankenstein Or something ghoulish out of Mamoulian’s Jekyll and Hyde. I’deven like you as my Julian Of Norwich or Cathleen  ni Houlihan. How melodramatic if you weresomething muttering in attics. Like Mrs Rochester or a student of BooleanMathematics.

You are the end of self-abuse. You are the eternal feminine.I’d like to find a goodexcuse to call on you and find you in. I’d like to put my hand beneath yourchin, And see you grin.

I’d like to taste your Charlotte Russe, I’d like to feelmy lips upon your skin I’d like to make you reproduce.

I’d like youin my confidence. I’d like to be your second look. I’d like to let you try theFrench Defence And mateyou with my rook.

I’d like to be your preference. And henceI’d like to be around when you unhook. I’d like to be your only audience,

The final name in your appointment book , Your future tense.