Sharlot Ivanov is a writer based in Montreal, Canada. She recently graduated from Concordia University with a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature. This poem is a Valentine's Day gift for her husband, who emigrated from Bulgaria when he was a child. Sharlot recommends instead of booking a dinner reservation on February 14th with your significant other, pick any other day to avoid overcrowded restaurants.
Draped in velveteen, my beloved is quite the virtuous player, whether in video games or virtual reality, on a vigilante quest, wearing his Adidas vest proudly over his chest. Slavic veins under vanilla skin like violet roots, blooming in secret, stemming from humble beginnings and dreams of prosperity. My love is lavished not in silver or gold, but in armored rust and vitrified trust. Behold! his victorious silhouette over the villages bathing in Vitosha’s volcanic shadow to view the vulnerabilities that delivered seeds for better opportunities. Vows vocalized under the veil shall never lose value, as long as Venus continues to water the vines of our love.