The Love of Valentines

A violet cascade of rich perfume
Pervades a little letter full of love,
Red hearts and lips upon the flowers bloom,
Exotic chocolates melt the skies above!
Oh, love, to taste another’s beating heart,
Caress a body supple, warm and smooth,
To burn with Venus, struck by Cupid’s dart,
To have another, soothing and to soothe.
No- Love long suffers, lacking want and pride,
It follows virtue, and seeks not its own,
Embracing Truth it banishes the lie,
Bears, trusting and enduring all, alone.
Gold shines as trials purge the muddy dross,
Love burns, a fire, and it bleeds, a cross.
-Tyler William O’Neil
-February 14, 2010

VII Pretium Estne?

(Does Worth Exist?)
To live, perchance to - live, Aye, there's the rub,
To die, perchance to - die, what lies in that?
Who life is worth your own, which is your club?
Whose death is worth your death, Nay, All is flat!
What substance lies in greatness? Statues fall.
What honor lies in ruches? What is gold?
What wisdom lies in love? All lovers fall!
For what then shall we live, as we grow old?
What honor lies in wisdom, victory?
What glory lies in courage, mindless whim?
For what does shallow life forever plea?
What mustic does compose its silent hymn?
A purpose must exist, the concept does...
One virtue on its own is not enough.
-Vir Cogitans Americanus
Scribit Dies XVIII Iunii, Anno Domini MMVII