"Valentine" by Carol Ann Duffy

Painting by Youquing Wang

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.

"Valentine" by Carol Ann Duffy, from Mean Time. © Anvil Press, 2004. 

Lessons of the Full Moon

I hope you can see it where you are. It's the next to last full moon of winter.

It's called the Snow Moon, or the Hunger Moon. Occurring this year on Valentine's Day, the name Hunger Moon seems more appropriate. Love is definitely a hunger. Definitely make sure you don't snow the one you love.

Be hungry. Be true.

Outdone By My Son

I got home today and my 16 year-old son Isaiah was getting his Valentine's Day presents ready for his girlfriend. He might protest that she's not really a "girlfriend." But would you do this for just any girl?

 Chocolates in a funky heart-shaped container, and what looks like more than one card.

A freshly made cheesecake setting up in the fridge. 

Big juicy strawberries to go on top.

And a basket to hold it all, topped off with a mylar balloon.

Happy Valentine's Day! Hope you have someone in your life as thoughtful and extravagant as Isaiah.

V Day