Victorian Valentine, lace-frilled and sweetly kissed by a rose-bud mouth...

VICTORIANA

Who would be so fool
As to choose to love?

Not I, believe me.
I'd rather meet
Love's older sister
That all claim to abhor:
She we all call lecherous,
And some name "whore"
I'd rather welcome Lust,
Let her in the door;
Feast her, please her
And throw her out;
At least I know the score.

Rather that,
A thousand times,
Then follow silly Love
Trustingly across
The unchartered track
And finding once
The journey's started
There is no turning back.

Manuela Cardiga