Valentine

15 February 2021

saying peace

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.

Carol Ann Duffy

showing peace

Image Bhautik Andharia https://unsplash.com/@bhautik_andhariya

doing peace

The theme today is Peace, Friends and Family

This powerful poem by Carol Ann Duffy is a kind of anti-Valentine. It uses imagery of an onion instead of flowers and hearts, and links the pungency and fierceness and multi-layered nature of an onion with qualities of love.

What point do you think that the poet is making with this poem?
Why do you think that she is rejecting red roses and satin hearts?
How do you feel about Valentines's day? Do you feel peaceful or conflicted about it?
Can you write a poem about love that uses an unusual metaphor to make a point?

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