Valentine Poetry

Valentine
by Carol Ann Duffy

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.


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I love you for that certain smile that cheers me when I'm blue,
I love you for your tender kiss that warms me through and through.
I love you for your gentle hand, your understanding touch,
Your eyes that always seem to say, "I love you very much."
I love you for your faith in me, your sweet and patient ways,
And for the thoughtful things you do so often without praise.
I love you so for all these things and many others, too...
But most of all for what I am whenever I'm with you!


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I said I loved you but I lied,
It's more than love I feel inside.
Said I loved you, I was wrong,
Love surely cannot feel this strong.


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