And as always, I am plagued with this big question.
"What gift should I give, to someone very dear to me?"
This dilemma is not just limited to Valentine's day. I get equally confused on birthdays, anniversaries, festivals and so on.
I can't help admiring all the creative people who can think of innovative things to gift. They must be gifted in the art of gifting.
My usual list consists of books, pens, wallets, watches, clothes, jewellery, perfumes and at the most some electronic item. I have never been able to think of anything extra-ordinary or memorable ..... something that I have been thoroughly satisfied with.
I remember spending hours at the stores searching for the right gift for the special people in my life and then coming out either empty handed or disappointed with my choice.
There is always a feeling that it is just not good enough.
So, coming back to the question,
"What gift should I give, to someone very dear to me?"
Hey!... Wait!..... I just had a brainwave.
Let me reverse the question.
"What gift would I like to receive from someone very dear to me?"
Well, it should be something very sweet and simple. Something which is neither flashy nor extravagant and yet rich with sentiment. Something which warms the cockles of the heart without making me feel overwhelmed or burdened.
Honestly, it can be anything as long as it is given from the heart.
It is the thought that counts.
But I still can't help thinking, what would be the special gift which I would cherish?
Hmm ....... It could be a beautiful poem, oozing with tender feelings. I would certainly love that.
Or maybe ..... a rose.
Oh yes!! A ROSE! Why not? Its Valentine's day.
A single rose can be more eloquent than volumes of poetry, more precious than the most exquisite diamond and more delightful than the loveliest painting.
Isn't it the perfect flower to communicate one's feelings? Its charm is so nicely expressed by Dorothy Parker....
"A single flow'r he sent me, since we met,
All tenderly his messenger he chose;
Deep-hearted pure, with scented dew still wet - -
One perfect rose.
I know the language of the floweret.
My fragile leaves, it said, his heart enclose.
Love long has taken for his amulet
One perfect rose.
My fragile leaves, it said, his heart enclose.
Love long has taken for his amulet
One perfect rose.
Why is it no one ever sent yet
One perfect limousine, do you suppose?
Ah no, it's always just my luck to get
One perfect rose."
One perfect limousine, do you suppose?
Ah no, it's always just my luck to get
One perfect rose."
So, here it is. The perfect gift to give and to receive ...... One perfect rose!
"Happy Valentine's Day"
Very True!!
ReplyDeletebest Line is:
Honestly, it can be anything as long as it is given from the heart.
Nicely written. However the poem you've chosen to make your point turns around and bites you in the ankle with the last two lines. This is a humorous, even ironic poem. The poetess would rather have "one perfect limousine" than the love embodied in "One perfect rose". She makes it clear in the last stanza that she'd rather have the good things in life than a good but poor man's love. See here for more.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Those lines are intended to bite and I was about to omit the last stanza.
ReplyDeleteThen I decided to answer her question...."Why is it no one ever sent yet One perfect limousine, do you suppose?"
Perhaps because such a thing as 'a perfect limousine' does not exist. She knows that the good things in life cannot measure up to true love.
I took the liberty of interpreting those lines in my way :)
Perfect limousines exist all right, perfect love doesn't. Besides, a bird (car) in hand is worth two loves in one's romantic dreams. It may be a different story in the bush though. ;)
ReplyDelete