Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy
Happy birthday to me, I guess. Another year over. Another year gone. I’m twenty. I feel so new.
Here’s one of my favourite poems ever.
Valentine
Carol Ann DuffyNot 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.
h.n
Carol Ann Duffy is one of my favourite poets. You should post some more of her works (Havisham, Salome, Before you were mine)…maybe. I definately agree with you Valentine is one of the best poems.