Female First — in Poetry, No Less!

Carol Ann Duffy has broken a barrier that might not have been terribly obvious at first glance, but was very real: women as the British Poet Laureate. She's the first — and after reading this and other poems of hers, I think they made a great choice.


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.

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.


By Carol Ann Duffy

Courtesy Famous Poets and Poems