Valentine - Carol Ann Duffy

And which one would make your ideal
Valentine's Day gift ... ??

By a bizarre coincidence, I taught this poem to some of my students this week just gone. I love the imagery and ideas going on, not to mention the poet's own very unique take on what might be considered "romantic". The perfect solution for those of us who hate the crass commercialism of Valentine's Day...

Read, reflect and relish. 

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.