'Valentine' by Carol Ann Duffy

Don't ever expect that there will be a sugar coating on anything Ms Duffy writes - unless it is to disguise a centre of, let me think...... crunchy frog??? 

 She reminds me of the line of Auden's 'the desires of the heart are crooked as corkscrews' in 'Death's Echo'.


 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 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




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