I’ve just been reminded as to why I find Valentine’s Day so interestingly ironic. Notice I did not use the word moronic. They only sound alike. It should be noted that many return to St. Valentine as a habit of affection, so I am truly sorry to burst bubbles–well, not so sorry, I like it actually. A lot. Though, affections are duly noted and encouraged. Still, a note: Lover’s day birthed from a smart ass quip from Chaucer to Venus. And I hold, still, after so many years of romantic gestures and creative card givings, that if you really want to celebrate Valentine’s day Chaucer style, give your lover a good smack and pony.
“So fiercely that when I on love do think/I know not well whether I float or sink.” –The Parliament of Fowls, Chaucer
Let the games begin…
Rae Cline is the author of the short story collection The Indefinite State of Imaginary Morals (Patasola Press, NY). Her debut novel is forthcoming from 7.13 Books in spring 2026. Her stories, essays, and poetry have appeared in print and online at The Paris Review, The Missouri Review, McSweeney’s, DIAGRAM, North American Review, Gargoyle and more. Her fiction and creative nonfiction have won prizes, scholarships and fellowships from Johns Hopkins, American University, Aspen Writers Foundation and North American Review. She earned an M.A. in Writing at Hopkins and received her M.F.A. in Fiction and Creative Nonfiction from American University, where she was the recipient of the Starr and Sartwell scholarships. She has lectured on campuses and other venues including Hopkins, American University, the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa, St. Mary’s College of Maryland and others. Rae splits time between NYC and the Gulf of Mexico with her husband Rand and Havanese puppy Sophi. She is the founding editor of Eckleburg and is represented by Jennifer Carlson with Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency. Read more at raecline.com.
