by Marilyn Wolpin (For Susannah Hill’s Valentiny Contest February 2021)
Hearts. Roses.
Glitter. Glue.
Bah! Phooey!
Not me. Ewww!
Teacher says,
“Make a valentine for everyone.”
I won’t do it. No, I won’t.
I don’t like anyone.
And no one likes me.
I cross my arms.
I scowl. I pout.
“Cut out hearts. Color them in.”
Nope. I won’t.
No one gets a heart from me.
You’ll see.
Wait! What’s this?
An envelope?
“Will you be my valentine?”
Signed Emily?
Someone likes me?
Emily? I like her.
She sings out loud.
She swings a wicked baseball bat.
I play baseball. I sing. Sorta.
Where’s my crayon?
Where’s my heart?
“Will you …
be my …
valentine?”
Glitter, glue.
Now I’m through.
I sit and stare at the scribbly-scrabble.
Will she like it?
A little bit?
I stare. I sit.
I think. I blink.
Can I give it?
Do I dare?
Finally …
I inch up
to her chair.
There.
Books by Marilyn Wolpin 