On Valentine’s Day!

Written by Praveen Kumar Yadav

Dear Love,

I just wanted to say that I dearly adore you this Valentine’s Day. I know that I am unable to express my true feelings for you with these words, but I have to say what I can. There is a lot that gets lost in translation, as my feelings travel from my heart to my head and then through language into words on this page. But I have to try anyway, because without these words there would be nothing.

I am also aware that Valentine’s Day is some odd occasion that came from a foreign culture. But when I get a chance to say “I love you,” it really does not matter what the pretext is. I love you!

I do not know how to say what your coming into my life means to me, but here is a whole series of metaphors: I feel like your presence adds flavor to my life, your company adds warmth, and just your being there adds beauty. I may sound a little silly, but I cannot imagine what sense my life made before you.
My love, my source of inspiration, with you, my life seems meaningful. My love, you are indeed a magic wand to me. My love, my mind, my heart and soul have your name in them.

My dear, without a glimpse of you, it is difficult to pass a moment; an hour turns into a month, a day into a year, and a week into a century. You are omnipresent in my life, in good times and bad. I sense you in the air I breathe, in the water I drink.

My sweetheart, my happiness depends on yours. I hurt if you are not happy. I can never imagine pleasure in life without you.

Will You Be My Valentine?

I know not how to compose poetry,
I just want to say that I love thee,
Dear wonderful friend, this Valentine’s Day.

My love for you grows each and every day,
With each night, my heart pulls me your way.
Will you be my sweet valentine?
Will you be the sweet love of mine?

Your sight, your presence, and your smile
Add meaning to my life all the while
The feelings of my heart I cannot confine,
Will you be my valentine?

All I need is a single sign,
Will you be my love, my dear?
My sweetly cherished valentine.

The Author
Praveen Kumar Yadav, a human rights researcher from Nepal, is an international intern at the Gwangju-based May 18 Memorial Foundation. He tweets at @iprav33n.

• This piece first appeared in Hope Magazine (Nepal), Issue 5, February 2014.