Valentine

By Carol Ann Duffy

 Valentine

• What do you think of when you see the

word ‘Valentine’?
• What kind of traditional gifts do people
give to each other on Valentine’s Day?
• How do you personally feel about
Valentine’s Day?
 Carol Ann Duffy

• Born in Glasgow, 1955

• Moved to England, aged 6
• Studied Philosophy in Liverpool
• Rose to prominence as a poet that wrote
complex poetry using simple language
• First openly bi-sexual Poet Laureate
 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.
 Valentine

Here.
It will blind you with tears
like a lover.
It will make your reflection
a wobbling photo of grief.
 Valentine

I am trying to be truthful.

Not a cute card or a kissogram.

 valentine

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.
 valentine

Take it.
Its platinum loops shrink to a
wedding-ring,
if you like.
 Valentine

Lethal.
Its scent will cling to your fingers,
cling to your knife.
 analysis

• On the surface it’s about giving an unusual gift

for Valentine’s day.
• What is it actually about?
• The poem uses a device called an ‘extended
metaphor’
• In the context of this poem, what is used as the
extended metaphor?
• Why did the poet choose to use an onion as a
metaphor for love?