Writing Prompt Jan 3

I have started getting weekly writing prompts which I will post the result of here.

Write Now: January 3

Choose a favorite poem written by somebody else, type a copy of it, delete every other line from the poem, and write your own lines to replace those you’ve deleted. Next, delete the remaining lines from the old poem so that only your lines remain. Read what you have, and revise it, adding new lines to fill in the gaps.

Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy

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.

And here is my version…

Valentine

Here is my gift.

A gift wrapped in brown butcher’s paper.

Take it, taste its bite.

Let it burn your tongue and thrash your breathe.

Your tears of pain and happiness blur the world to a mist of grey and light.

Not chocolates or wine.

My valentine will be mine alone.