Originally sent on June 23, 2000

The Politics of Poetry - 5/10
SUMMARY: Valentine's Day at the White House brings everything from the ridiculous to the romantic intertwined with poetry and politics.

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Donna's desk was a magnet. Clustered around it were Donna, Ginger, Carol, Bonnie and Margaret. They were staring at a huge bouquet of flowers, the arrangement took up most of the desk.

Margaret wondered, "There's no card? You sure?"

"I looked.", Donna assured.

"Maybe Josh?", Ginger suggested.

Donna shook her head. "No, this is a little over the top for him. He brought these for me this morning and they're very nice too."

"At least your boss did something." Margaret sighed. "The President made sure I had flowers or the day would be a total loss."

"Margaret." Leo's voice boomed through the hall. "I need you in my office now please."

"I'm back to work. Let me know if you 'Nancy Drews' solve this." Margaret left them not knowing she was about to get a first edition book on one of her favorite subjects. Leo would surprise her and deepen the bond of friendship between them.

Bonnie snapped her fingers, "You got those flowers anonymously after the flu. It must be the same guy. Do you know where those came from?"

"Not for sure.", Donna told them.

Carol looked at the group. "We're forgetting security. The delivery guy would have to sign in and have to say where he's from. If the desk won't tell you, we could check with the Secret Service Office. I know someone I could call."

Donna beamed, "Forget 'Nancy Drew'. We could be the new 'Charlie's Angels'." They laughed, looked at watches and knew it was time to get back to work. Donna promised to update them if she got any answers.

She was on the phone when Josh came around the corner. He stopped and stared at the mass of Spring flowers. The colors suited her beautifully. Josh felt embarrassed now by his trite little red and white Valentine's arrangement. "You look like you're in a bower."

"A bower, Josh?"

"See I have this Ivy League education and I am a Fulbright Scholar. Plus I've always wanted to use that word in a sentence. It means..."

"I know what it means even without having the same academic credentials." She sat up abruptly to speak to someone on the phone. "Yes, I'm still here. Thank you for checking." Donna frowned, "I see." She grabbed for pen and paper. "Yes, I'll take it down." She wrote quickly. "That's all? Thank you, you've been sort of helpful." Donna hung up after absently saying, "Happy Valentine's Day to you too."

Josh knew he should get back to work. This really wasn't any of his business but his curiosity was too much. "Who are they from?"

"The florists won't say. They were instructed to give me a verse of poetry if I asked."

"Poetry? Then they're from Wally?" Josh tried and failed to keep the surprise from his voice.

"No, it's a Thomas Campion poem."

"What does it say?"

Donna read back from her notes.

"'There is a garden in her face,
Where roses and white lilies grow,
A heavenly paradise is that place,
Wherein all pleasant fruits do flow.'"

A sweet smile moved across her face and a sigh escaped from her lips.

"That's way more impressive than my effort.", Josh said ruefully.

"Don't compare them. Your flowers mean the world to me because you do Josh. I love them and I'm taking them home with me."

He was pleased but couldn't show it. "I still say your secret admirer has good taste. Hey, it must be the same one who sent the get well flowers."

Donna nodded, then brought things back to business. "Don't forget, I'm leaving early. Let's get back to work." She moved a small lavender paisley shopping bag off her desk.

"Mallory had one of those too.", Josh observed.

"That's nice. Back to the business of the people, Josh."

Josh was surprised at how quickly she changed the subject. Normally, Donna would show him what she bought. He tried to get a peek at the bag's contents. She kicked it under her desk.

**********
Mallory's bag from Lavender and Lace was on a chair next to her purse. She needed her hands free to wrap them around Sam's neck and muss up his hair. "I wish your office wasn't so open."

"Yes, I can see where it's made you feel inhibited." He pulled her closer. Sam was tired of being unsure where things were going with Mallory. He intended to make his case today and take their relationship in a new direction.

"I just meant a little privacy is nice Sam." She punctuated her words by scattering kisses across his face.

"Agreed. And if you call next time, I'll close the blinds before you get here."

"You won't now?"

"Mallory, it would be obvious."

"And this position isn't?"

"Fair point."

"I should really be going." But she made no move away from him. Mallory found Sam refreshing. He was as bright and handsome as any man in D.C., however he was nowhere near as arrogant as most. He wore power uneasily but didn't duck it. The contrast added to his attractiveness.

"Right. I'll see you soon, so you should go." Sam's grip tightened in contrast to his words. Then he bent to kiss her neck and nip at her ears.

"Sam you probably should stop that." Mallory sighed, "Or not."

He paused for a moment. "Will you wear that red dress?"

"Which one?" She was having a hard time connecting as she looked into his blue eyes. Mallory reminded herself that Sam's office was exposed and her father was down the hall.

"From the night we were supposed to go to the Chinese Opera but didn't because something else happened."

"All right. But I think there was something wrong with that sentence construction. If I could focus on something other than what your lips are doing, I'd tell you what was incorrect. Some problems left over from English class?"

Sam looked her in the eye. "Shows what you know. English is not only my language, I am excelling at it. I'm taking it to a higher level. Observe.

'I knew a woman, lovely in her bones,
When small birds sighed, she would sigh back at them;
Ah, when she moved, she moved more ways than one:
The shapes a bright container can contain!'"

Mallory's eyes shimmered. "Sam, how wonderful. So romantic even by light of day and fluorescent fixture." She got on tiptoe to pull his face down and capture him in another kiss.

He pulled away slightly. "And I promise to do even better when the sun goes down. In fact, maybe a club for some dancing after our early dinner at La Fourchette."

"Sorry Sam. I don't think so. It's a school night after all and that would keep me out too late." Mallory made her tone light and hoped he wouldn't be dense.

Sam saw his plans evaporating but not his hunger for the bewitching redhead. "Oh. I was planning on a late night."

"So you don't want to take me home after dinner and make sure I get to bed early."

"Mallory, of course I'll see you to the door, but..."

She pulled out of his grasp and walked over to the chair. Mallory picked up the bag. "Well, if you can't promise a bedtime story or at least a bedtime poem, I guess I wasted my money."

"On what?" Poor Sam was clearly puzzled. As she dangled the bag by its handles on her fingertips, she leaned over and whispered in his ear. Sam gulped for air. "Returns aren't necessary. I think we can work out a compromise schedule."

"Lovely." Mallory kissed him on the cheek, all demure and chaste. It drove Sam nuts. She waved, "Bye."

"Bye", he managed to gasp out. Sam waved back and collapsed in his chair. "Oh my.", he said and grinned.

(TO BE CONTINUED)