Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Poems in April - Poetry through the eyes of Carol Ann Duffy

Hello everyone, hope you guys are having a wonderful day so far. I am really excited to make my debut prompt here at Imaginary Garden with Real Toads. Today, we'll be taking a look at Poetry through the eyes of Carol Ann Duffy.

Fair Use
Carol Ann Duffy was the first woman, the first Scot and the first openly LGBT person to be appointed Britain's Poet Laureate. She was born in Gorbals (Glasgow) on 23rd December, 1955. Her work explores both everyday life and fantasy life, which makes it even more intriguing. While reading her poems, I came across one which left me absolutely breathless.


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 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.


The object of this challenge is to write about love, using a common everyday image. Choose your own form or write in free verse, if preferred. I look forward to reading what you all come up with.  

The link doesn't expire, so please feel free to write more than one poem. Please do visit others and remember to comment on their poems. Have fun!



26 comments:

Cressida de Nova said...

This is a great prompt Saana. ! Thank you.

Kim M. Russell said...

carol Ann Duffy, one of my favourite modern poets - great choice, great prompt, Sanaa!

Kim M. Russell said...

Sorry about the type and the weird link name - Mister Linky retained it from a previous link-up and I didn't spot it.

Sanaa Rizvi said...

@Cressida You're welcome ❤️ @Kim No worries I managed to fix it ❤️

Rosemary Nissen-Wade said...

Loved this prompt Sanaa! (And what a departure for you, the queen of romanticism! LOL)

Sanaa Rizvi said...

LOL❤️ Thank you so much, Rosemary 😍 (I couldn't help myself hehe)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the lovely prompt Sanaa. Just submitted. Must go do some work now ;) Back later to read/comment.

Jim said...

Thank you. Sanaa. This is a beautiful love poem. As she says, not the usual by far. Who'da thougt. Thinking onion and the nature of love, I would have had a third verse,
"Like love, the onion can make you cry"
"... bla ba back ..."
And talk tesrs, joy, sadness, making ip, etc. But that's why she is Poet Laurate and I'm not.
..

Jim said...

I have balked at writing love poems but then finally I wrote a cute poem about following directions of "How to write a love porm," detailing my steps as I went along. It had a nice reception with the "One Single Impression" folk. Some here may remember, I'll link to it when I write today.
..

Susie Clevenger said...

What a great prompt Sanaa!

Gillena Cox said...

Luv the prompt; luv the sample poem as well. Good job Sanaa

much love...

Sanaa Rizvi said...

@Paul so good to see you!❤️ @Jim looking forward to it!❤️ @Susie awww thank you so much!❤️ @Gillena thank you! coming over!❤️

De Jackson said...

That poem is stunning, Sanaa. Thank you for sharing it. I wrote quite a few "onion" poems awhile back, referring more to self than to love, but this is a new layer. Just wonderful. I needed some humor in my morning today, so mine is slightly less serious. ;)

Sanaa Rizvi said...

@De I'm sure its gonna be amazing! Heading over to read❤️

Khaya Ronkainen said...

Lovely prompt, Sanaa. Thank you. I'll be catching up with reading others soon. :-)

Sanaa Rizvi said...

Oh my GOSH! Khaya❤️ welcome back! Can't wait to read your offering! xoxo

Kerry O'Connor said...

Carol Ann Duffy is an amazing poet and such an inspiration. Thank you, Sanaa.

Apologies on being a bit left behind on my reading and commentary.

Sanaa Rizvi said...

@Kerry she definitely is❤️ thank you so much for participating! No worries, take your time reading and commenting.❤️

Marian said...

Wonderful, Sanaa! Carol Ann Duffy is a treasure. :)
My poem is trying to be something I have not quite achieved, but I'm going to leave it as is for now, in the spirit of April.

Sanaa Rizvi said...

@Marian your poem touched me in ways I can not describe. It's beautiful!❤️

Robin said...

I was able to post today for the Challenge. I am not sure if what I wrote is poetry or not. Hopefully someone will tell me. I love the poem Carol Ann Duffy wrote, beautiful! Thank you for sharing. Have a great day, Hugz, Rasz

Sanaa Rizvi said...

@Rasz it's lovely. Thank you for participating ❤️

Outlawyer said...

Wonderful prompt, Sanaa. k.

Anonymous said...

A few words cradle seemingly "ordinary" memories :)

Sanaa Rizvi said...

@Outlawyer thank you!❤️ @Bohemian Nerd so good to see you!❤️

Sanaa Rizvi said...

Thank you so much for the lovely poems everyone ❤️ I'm so overwhelmed with gratitude and joy! Cheers!🍹