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Today, on February 9th, 2010, the site contains 196 poets, 8,692 poems and 8,017 comments.
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 May 5th, 2009 at 10:38 AM | Viewed: 15736 times | Comments (22)


Valentine - Comments and Information

Poet: Carol Ann Duffy
Poem: Valentine

Comment 22 of 22, added on January 10th, 2010 at 7:54 AM.

In my opinion, this poem actually tells the truth of love which consists both bitterness and sweetness on one hand. On the other hand, it is, how to say, really terrifies me.

nichola from China
Comment 21 of 22, 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 22, 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

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