Valentine, by Ann Duffy and First Love by John Clare :: English Literature

Valentine is by Ann Duffy. The first thing that caught my attentionwas the title Valentine. Usually when you would perceive that leger yourhead would be guessing hearts, jockey, romance, and choclates etc thatnot in this case. In this poem it describes love as an onion plant and thisis the constant imagery. The poets aim was to enjoyment the onion as asymbol of love rather than the everyday, typical gifts.I think the poem might have been written by a male but adapted by afemale poet. My reason for saying this is mainly because when you readthe poem it sounds as though its a male word because it talks aboutgiving gifts which is normally from the man. Never the less it hasmore deep and emotional feelings in it which makes it sound like afemale words. However we will never know for sure.The talking to that the poet uses whether its a male or a female isvery powerful and sanitary because even if dont enjoy the poem youwould still remember parts of it because its so blunt and stra ight tothe point .The poem also uses at some point simile and metaphors whichalso makes it very affective. In this poem it also constantly compareslove to an onion. It uses the same words that can describe love aswell as an onion , doesnt really use sweet and fragile words orphrases that you would normally expect in a love poem but in myopinion having a bit of a change is always a good thing.Blind you with tearsThe word blind and tears show the nature of love and how love can hurtwhich leaves you heartbroken and in rivers of tears. However incooking wise the onion would blind you and make you cry when you cutit, so the poet bought these two things together and joined them up tomake his or her point more interesting for the reader.The language makes me feel very moved at some points because its veryemotional and descriptive .My favourite verse was the last one becauseit uses strong words but with passion and a deep full meaning.LethalIts scent will cling to your fingers,Cling to your knifeLethal means dangerous and I think this would describe love bestbecause in reality love is romantic however if you dont play it rightand dont remain firm by the rules then it could turn into a very nastygame. This is why love shouldnt be messed about in the first place asit not a game in real life it could mess a persons life forever.