for Valentine's Day

If you were to hear me imitating Pavarotti

in the shower every morning, you would know

how much you have changed my life.

If you were to see me stride across the park,

waving to strangers, then you would know

I am a changed man-- like Scrooge

awakened from his bad dreams feeling feather-

light, angel-happy, laughing the father

of a long line of bright laughs--

"It is still not too late to change my life!"

It is changed. Me, who felt short-changed.

Because of you I no longer hate my body.

Because of you I buy new clothes.

Because of you I am a warrior of joy.

Because of you and me. Drop by

this Saturday morning and discover me

fiercely pulling weeds gladly, dedicated

as a born-again gardener.

Drop by on Sunday-- I'll Turtlewax

your sky-blue sports car, no sweat. I'll greet

enemies with a handshake, forgive debtors

with a papal largesse. It's all because

of you. Because of you and me,

I've become one changed man.

~Robert Phillips

I've always loved this poem.