My 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 tearslike a lover.
It will make your reflectiona wobbling photo of grief.
I am trying to be truthful.

Not a cute card or kissogram.
I give you an onion.

Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips,
possessive and faithfulas 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.

C. A. Duffy