National 5 English: Carol Ann Duffy Poems

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 ********** 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.
It will cling to your fingers,
cling to your knife.

ANNE HATHAWAY
                           

                           'Item I gyve unto my wife my second best bed ...'

(from Shakespeare's…