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 June 15th, 2006 at 2:56 AM | Viewed: 8202 times | Comments (19)

Valentine - Comments and Information
Poet: Carol Ann Duffy Poem: Valentine Comment 19 of 19, 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 Comment 18 of 19, added on June 21st, 2006 at 11:30 AM. im at the end of yr9 now n in my english class we have just read this poem and i thought as a poem its really strong and has a meaning when my class first read we didnt understand y you chose an onion bt once we read it again we understood it better you have produced a great poem and everybody should read it thank you for such a lovely poem by melissa xx melissa from United Kingdom Comment 17 of 19, added on June 15th, 2006 at 2:56 AM. i am doing an exam on this poem and i think it is shown as a past love where Carol Ann Duffy has been hurt by love and wants to pass on her wisdom so no one else gets hurt. sarah from United Kingdom More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Valentine, has received 19 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: 2008-07-03 11:49:49 Viewed 8202 times. Added on June 15th, 2006 at 2:56 AM.

Duffy Info
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