Hour, Carol Ann Duffy

Carol Ann Duffy was born in 1955 in Glasgow and became Poet Laureate in 2009.

The poem is about time and how it is short lived for lovers. Some of you suggested that due to the location and some of the language there is a hint that the love/ relationship takes place as an affair. Loosely reflects form of a sonnet (14 lines), which links it to famous love poetry.


Time is personified and the use of simile is evident in the first line. Time is love's enemy.

'For thousands of seconds' this emphasises the brief/ transient nature of their meetings. There is a variation in line length  and rhythm patterns. The lover is addressed directly to the lover.

The use of enjambment brings about a pause that linguistically reflects the stopping of time when they are together.

Note the simple references and simple pleasures 'no jewel hold a candle to the cuckoo spit...'


Reference to Midas; things turn to gold, their love is seen in the brightest light. Some of you thought that this shows how no matter where they are, they are happy when together.

Sense of a fairy tale love. Joseph noticed that the last line 'spins gold...from straw' is reference to what Rumpelstiltskin does.

The poem presents ideas about time and money and love. This plays with ideas about the value of money and the value of each others company. They create something precious from something ordinary.

Good to compare with Sonnet 116 (time and love) or To His Coy Mistress.