Valentine

Poem by Carol Ann Duffy (the first Scottish, female, openly gay person to be named the new Poet Laureate)


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 yoi 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.

(Carol Ann Duffy)

Black Birds Are Falling From The Sky

Black birds are falling from the sky
Falling
Shriveled facsimiles of each other.

Black birds are falling from the sky
Falling
Into fresh brewed coffees and tete-a-tetes.

-VC