In case you hadn’t noticed its valentines day and as has become the tradition around here I like to share a suitably ‘romantic’ poem on Valentines day. Carole Ann Duffy is one of my favourite poets and I thought you might enjoy her take on Valentines day. You can read previously chosen valentine themed poems by Wendy Cope and John Full here and here.
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.
I was nearly going to read this poem at WI yesterday! For some reason, I didn’t and it was just as well as our guest speakers “Threes Company” read it as part of their presentation. They read a variety of poems, and on Tuesday they had a Valentine theme presenting an eclectic group of poems, funny and serious, which were either totally hilarious (the Balad of Freda and Barry – Victoria Wood) or more serious. There was one about grief, but I can’t remember the author.
I tried to catch your Mum’s eye while it was being read, in case she had also read your post earlier in the day. Thought of you!
Author
Its a good poem isn’t it. Sounds like you had a good meeting. xx