Happy Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s or Palentine’s – whatever floats your boat!
I have a couple of favourite love poems. Today I give you Carol Ann Duffy’s Valentine, one the teenagers in my English classes really took to.
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.
We have been out this evening to Home Ground’s Pizza night, a delicious meal, all handmade from fresh ingredients, in lovely cosy surroundings and a really lovely ambience.
