Valentine - A poem by Carol Ann Duffy

Carol Ann Duffy - Valentine

Not a red rose or a satin heart.

I give you an onion.
It is a moon wrapped in brown paper.
It promises light
like the careful undressing of love.

Here. 
It will blind you with tears 
like a lover.
It will make your reflection
a wobbling photo of grief.

I am trying to be truthful.

Not a cute card or a kissogram.

I give you an onion.
Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips,
possessive and faithful
as we are,
for as long as we are.

Take it.
Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding-ring,
if you like.

Lethal.
Its scent will cling to your fingers,
cling to your knife.

Added: on November 10th, 2006 at 10:13 PM | Viewed: 14199 times | Comments (21)

Valentine - Comments and Information
Poet: Carol Ann Duffy Poem: Valentine Comment 21 of 21, added on November 9th, 2009 at 3:31 AM. The whole idea of the knife being a phallic symbol is a good one...but I think this poem was actually written to a woman. Sophie from New Zealand Comment 20 of 21, added on May 5th, 2009 at 10:38 AM. The analogy of the onion as a true token of love is beautifully original, but is handled so simply that it makes you wonder why nobody has thought of it before. This to my mind is the definition of genius' C.Doran from United Kingdom Comment 19 of 21, added on November 10th, 2006 at 10:13 PM. it's ok I guess. I read it, read the comments, then read it again. It's ok, but I might have liked to have had more connection between the gifts and the lovers, e.g, why no red hearts and satin ribbons??? because they fade and crack. How is the onion and moon connected? maybe by more than just silence but by the orbit one leads around a lover. And I might have liked to have gotten more depth with the knife, how it cuts, pierces, etc.???? shelley fruiterer from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Valentine, has received 21 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Carol Ann Duffy with others on the Poetry Connection poetry forum!

Poem Info
Valentine Last read: 2009-11-22 06:50:44 Viewed 14199 times. Added on November 10th, 2006 at 10:13 PM.

Duffy Info
Biography More Poems (4 poems) Books