It’s almost that time of the year when big pink hearts take over storefronts, over 190 million cards are exchanged, and the average U.S. consumer will spend $103 on gifts, meals, and entertainment,. Yup, St. Valentine’s Day. The day of L-O-V-E.
I’m not one to make a big hoopla about this holiday – I’m one of those people who prefers to receive flowers or a gift on random days rather than on a day when there are such high expectations. But, a handwritten card or a poem, ah, that I will never turn away. 
This year, my Valentine’s Day gift to my husband is a copy of SMITH magazine/Harper Perennial’s Six Word Memoirs of Love and Heartbreak: By Writers Famous and Obscure. It’s a pocket-sized paperback (4X6, a little smaller in size than your average Valentine’s Day Card, but chock full of so many more wishes and reflections on matters of the heart).
This book is the second offering from SMITH Magazine whose initial invite to writers two years ago was a simple one (inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s “For Sale: baby shoes, never worn): Everyone has a story. Can you tell yours in six words? The submissions poured in like crazy and soon enough they had published the NYT bestselling Not Quite What I Was Planning. (
The book features my very own six word memoir on page 13:
Sleeping, our foreheads touch. Fates mingle.
As I was flipping through the book, I came across another one-liner by our very own mutineer V.V. on page 70:
My book title makes dating awkward.
There were several more six-word desi memoirs that made it into the book:
Girl beautiful. No Mercedes. No love. – Sujoy Kumar Chowdhury
I fixed him but broke myself. – Amal Khairul
Proposal. Dowry. Bethrothal. Marriage. Children. Love. – Mitali Perkins
Arranged marriage now sounding pretty good. – Saleem Reshamwala
Add your own six word memoir (consider it your Valentine’s day greeting to the world) in the comments section before midnight on Sunday, February 15th. V.V. (author of the Washington Post choice for one of the best books of 2008, Love Marriage will pick two winners who will each receive a free copy of Six Word Memoirs of Love and Heartbreak. And, that’s our V-Day gift to you.
Below the fold, check out a book trailer for inspiration.
Incidentally, Sepia had its own six-word party a few years ago. Check it for some inspiration.)
She was taken. And very intrigued.
I wish I could quit you!
Forever would have slowed me down
Will you be my Valentine? Desperate!
He kisses badly. I miss you.
sHiV seNa iN dA hoUse ni&&a!
😉
Twitterlingus: My Many 140 Character Seductions
which love? jennifer, courtney or davis?
Your Mom’s going to hate me.
You don’t have to be gentle.
Brown can do plenty for you.
D!rty wh0re slept with another man
still here, her jacket haunts me.
he lost me at neoliberalism.
forlorn, lonely, yet another V Day.
she uses dates for free dinner i love you sooooo much, smirnoff love is inherently tragic, comments devdas i’ll fill your life with cliches osama celebrates 2/14 will all wives kashmir wants divorce; india, pakistan upset but how big is his danda? hot date turns out staunch republican gotham most romantic city, polls say
My mom loves you, I don’t. emptiness–>loneliness–>solitude–>silence–>peace–>moksha
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Ghum? Dim Sum.
420 Shree 420s. Time for 4:20.
Presentation, Expectation, Anticipation, Stimulation, Botheration, Termination!
1)I know I could do better.
2) Your mother can kiss my ass
3) Your father can kiss my ass
4) Your feet shouldnt smell like that
5) Ill pay for the hair removal
Sunday morning under the sheets. Bliss. Lust with tenderness. Love with S&M.
Which’ll it be? Siblings or spouses?
Emirates stewardess. Bliss. Who cares, mom?
We speak, but do not touch.
Pull the ropes tighter, won’t you?
Don’t touch me there – it hurts.
Lied about us to my face.
Your silence stings more than shouting.
She did what you couldn’t, baby.
A parting gift: I faked it.
Love: Giving me the last bite.
Love: Not caring if he knows.
Love: Not caring what Mom thinks.
Don’t move! That’s the spot. Finally!
Hold on… just a lifetime longer.
At night, our skin colors match.
Love V-day bashes. Miss wingman Muthalik.
Marriages are made in heaven. Die. I reached out. The Internet crashed.
Right after wedding, inlaws become outlaws.
78 · Rahul said
Muthalik is still bashing on V-Day!
78 · Rahul said
But Muthalik still loves bashing Valentines!
56 · NoName said
LOL!!
Nani died. Nana’s heart beats weaker…
+
How Do You Say Goodbye, Forever?
I’m on the road pronounced Love + I lust you, marry me please.
darkness envelops, empathy and love awaken.
Does he know what love means?
Chance encounter. Love in several languages.
Odd movie, forever over three continents.
Practice wife? Don’t kid yourself.
Pausing. Gazing. Contemplating. Stars. Silence. Ardor.
you’re making me work so hard. http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/song/A_Little_Respect/432024
Narcissist seeks wife..finds delusions..basketcase!
that hairy punjabi stole my heart.
one year of bliss, now this.
uneasy on another V-Day spent single.
I love your skin of olive.
aaaaah driving me crazy those looks wanna eat u u delicious brahmin she’s flawless. what? she eats beef? don’t need booze, sadness is medicine my man boobs got her jealous her imperfections are just as beautiful she plays with her hair; drool… my baby is 46 & 2 he went to jared. oh fuck!
use my eyes…see inside me.
Karan Johar lied, where’s my dance?
mention mango or kebab: i’m gone.
Public couple, private couple … such difference.
“We will be the exceptions:” false.
Everyone broke up; so did we.
Thank God, it took too long.
I feel lighter when you’re gone.
A note in henna, for him.