Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy

Starts Love is too deep to be represented by these symbols.

with a Not a red rose or a satin heart.
negative The poet rejects unoriginal, conventional Valentine’s

I give you an onion. Onion = metaphor for love throughout poem - bitterness
Moon –
governs
It is a moon wrapped in brown paper. Brown paper = outer layer
women’s It promises light
passions Undressing = love-making
like the careful undressing of love.

Here. 1 – lover makes one cry Showing the

It will blind you with tears 2 – love is blind?
negative side of
like a lover love – tears and
pain, being
It will make you a reflection Looking in a mirror crying? made to cry
a wobbling photo of grief.

I am trying to be truthful. Favouring honesty over fake sentiment

Not a cute card or a kissogram. Further rejection

I give you an onion. Linking of taste of onion to a

Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips, kiss
possessive and faithful This idea is linked to
as we are, faithfulness in a relationship

for as long as we are.

Concentric rings
Take it.
Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding-ring,
if you like. Like a traditional Valentine’s poem – a proposal of marriage
Love Lethal.
clings – Its scent will cling to your fingers, Knife marked with its scent
can’t be
removed Cling to your knife. Ready to punish betrayal

How would you feel if you got an onion for Valentine’s?

The poem is an analysis of love – an onion more apt than conventional symbols.

The poem takes a commercialised event, and pulls it back to something ordinary and personal