Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy

She is an openly gay writer, this poem was written when gayness was a taboo subject
It describes a gift for a lover
It is a free verse poem, which links to free love (loving anyone)
'It is a moon', the metaphor here shows that the moon isn't always visible, but it is always there, like her love for this person. It also lights up the dark
The use of an onion as a gift symbolises the layers of love and meaning in their relationship. An onion also looks a bit gross on the outside, but on the inside there is something moist and smooth
1. This links to people looking at a gay relationship and judging it without looking at the meaning and love inside of the relationship
'trying to be truthful' the alliteration of the ttt sound links to people tutting at their relationship
'Lethal', this links to the idea that ins some places homosexuality is punishable by death and it also links to heartbreak
'Not a red rose', roses will die eventually, which links to the idea that she isn't going to be in a relationship with no future, this links to her talking about 'platinum loops' (wedding rings) at the end
The sentences are quite short, which brings a bit of a stutter when you speak, linking to the ups and downs of a relationship

Resource summary

	Created by Maddy Christopher almost 4 years ago