The onion tells the person that an insistence on seeking truth that was not there has changed the person. In the poem, there are themes of love, convention, individualism, and vanity of materialism. That my Jesus bought and loved all along. The lines are written in free verse. And this love feels everlasting and perfect, as if its never going to end. "Hold the Onion" Poetry.com. Carol Ann Duffy, the poet of Valentine, has a unique way of expressing her love unconventionally through this profound work of poetry. There is a hidden message behind the poem to convey a certain message. Love or the onion? She continues to explain why she thinks it is an appropriate gift. Poor deluded human: you seek my heart. Intrigued yet? Accessed 1 March 2023. knocks down my cell. The human cannot see that what it searches for does not exist. Here, the poet refers to the qualities of onion such as its multi-layered structure, strong smell, and color for emphasizing the gifts versatility. onion and hunger. Likewise, in this first stanza, it is one of only two times in the poem that Duffy uses alliteration. In the following stanza, she refers to its odour that brings tears to the eyes. Frost of your days and of my nights. The poet makes some other key suggestions on how love makes one feel. It plays such an important role in every meal that its in, but its never given the credit it deserves. Plaths poem, however, sees lies revealed in the second stanza when the function of the mirror changes and the woman looks into its reaches for what she really is. Integrity is not something a person has, and it is not a particular act or activity that one does (or does not do). nothing but pure onionhood The form of the poem, Carol Ann Duffy gives a controversial outlook on love and from the very start, it is made clear that the poem is centered around its main key symbol : an onion. conqueror of flowers it follows its own daimonion. and of my nights. The outermost layer is what everyone sees. Sparknotes bookrags the meaning summary overview critique of explanation pinkmonkey. was in hunger's cradle. She is stripped of her identity and emotions in her inner journey as They have eaten me alive. In his sonnet, Sidney uses metaphor, alliteration and repetition to convey his feelings for desire., The text that I will be analyzing is a poem by Lorna Crozier called The Child Who Walks Backwards. Here. In Valentine, Carol Ann Duffy has done an excellent job of taking a love poem and subverting it using an onion as a metaphor for love itself. The narrator is not to be doubted here. Web. The poet metaphorically compares her love to an onion. By way of slight syntactical choices and the situation, In the begining of the poem Duffy starts off with a negative in opening line. without our human tears, our skin is just a coverup At peace, of a peace, There is one instance of alliteration. to lightning on your lips. Lies another skin: I am pure onion--pure union. without our human tears. My opinions on people of jealously and dislike. But, Duffys heart is nurtured with emotions and love. Then in the following lines she sets out why and onion is a good gift. The flesh fluttering, Duffy is one of Britains most famous poets. its innards don't exist. running toward your gums Accessed 1 March 2023. don't you wake up. onionesque it appears The onion, now thats something else. more, All Wallace Dean LaBenne poems | Wallace Dean LaBenne Books. Throughout my analysis I will look into parental abuse, underlying meanings in the lines in the poetry, as well as connections I can make personally to the book. of tomorrow's kisses too late the enjambment forces her to go through an inner journey unwillingly. While Kim utilizes the metaphorical side of the onion to speak through misguided epiphanies, Kenyon uses simile to reveal emotion behind a much less destructive screen. The mention of a knife is particularly interesting, especially having just mentioned the word fatal. is frosted with sugar, It will blind you with tears. Readers should consider who or what else plays a similar role. Coincidentally, after reading Duffys Human Interest, a poem about a man that stabs his wife, a reader can feel that this poem could head in that direction as well! This seems to be a warning to the speakers audience that when one cuts off a relationship, the feelings of love linger still like the scent of an onion. When I think how far the onion has traveled, just to enter my stew today, I could kneel and praise. . The speaker is someone who works in the kitchen to feed a family or group of people fairly often. She claims that its fierce kiss would stay on [her lovers] lips. This gave me an understanding of what her vision was for choreography and what my duties. The Traveling Onion by Naomi Shihab Nye is a nineteen-line poem that is contained within a single stanza of text. Visual and tactile imagery used within this poem helps readers interpret the meaning of the poem. large and round. Layers upon layers of iniquity. like five young It is through you visiting Poem Analysis that we are able to contribute to charity. Like the narrator is forcing this gift upon their partner perhaps? She feels that offering an onion as a representation of her love is her way of making an honest gesture. secretions' secret sections secretions secret sections. That I am always loud and happy every day. jasmine blossoms. nothing but pure onionhood. oniony on the inside. Poems about Onions at the world's largest poetry site. onion clear as a planet and destined to shine, constant constellation, round rose of water, upon the table of the poor. Moonlight often provides a romantic setting. I woke up from childhood: Who else sacrifices themselves and disappears into the background? People whose behavior is consistent with what they say they honor have this kind of wholeness. Integrity also often understood as a character with honesty. The words "it promises light' give a positive conntation meaning the moons 'light' represents love like a new start and begining of a relationship. Bovey, Lee-James. ABBREVIATIONS; . In this section of Valentine, the speaker offers an entirely unconventional gift. Whether its denial, anger, or sadness, the feeling of not being loved is surreal. When they eat, they dont comment on how good the onion is. Protest music helped expose these findings in a way people understood fully and could make the most sense of. you are satisfied. Naomi Shihab Nye, The Traveling Onion from Words Under the Words: Selected Poems. The Onion Wisawa Szymborska on View with a Grain of Sand Produced by Clare Cavanagh & Stanisaw Baraczak This poem, though it may seem silly, had its own deeper meaning. (B3) Here things start to take a slightly eerie turn as the narrator states It will make your reflection a wobbling photo of grief. What is this referencing? Moreover, the poet criticizes the conventions associated with Valentines day. When I think how far the onion has traveledjust to enter my stew today, I could kneel and praiseall small forgotten miracles,crackly paper peeling on the drainboard,pearly layers in smooth agreement,the way the knife enters onionand onion falls apart on the chopping block,a history revealed.And I would never scold the onionfor causing tears.It is right that tears fallfor something small and forgotten.How at meal, we sit to eat,commenting on texture of meat or herbal aromabut never on the translucence of onion,now limp, now divided,or its traditionally honorable career:For the sake of others,disappear. She prefers the onion superior to any other valuable items. The womans dialogue with an ex-love, for whom it was too late to feign indifference, is in genuine because she does not believe that time holds great surprises but instead, her pretence is a way of masking a painful truth. Learn how to write a poem about Onions and share it! Used with permission. a centripetal fugue and onion falls apart on the chopping block, commenting on texture of meat or herbal aroma, The Man Whose Voice Has Been Taken From His Throat. fills this devout onionist like a lover. You make us cry without hurting us. Throughout the text, a reader is presented with a comparison between love and an onion. Your laughter is When she considers this fact, shes moved to praise and thank the onion for its efforts and celebrate all small forgotten miracles. Its this phrase that should make the reader consider what else the poet might be thinking about besides the onion. The next layer is the layer of hate. Their names do not appear in the list of the production, but their efforts cannot be denied because they have devoted no less energy and labor than the cast to the play, and they worth being recognized. defending laughter Like Valentine, one of the best poems written by Carol Ann Duffy, here is a list of some poems that uniquely represent the theme of love. Cute card is the second example of alliteration in Valentine. Set design was something I originally never paid attention to whenever I went to a performance., My essential question was: What are the responsibilities required to be a dance captain, and how can choreography efficiently be taught? The Traveling Onion. In the second half of the poem, the speaker adds that the tears that may come to her eyes while shes cooking are well deserved. onionesque it appears. Professor, therapist, author and poet. In the second stanza, the poet uses an image of an onion reflecting its colour. Whereas, the second one is an example of visual and tactile imagery. She claims that it is a moon wrapped in brown paper. Slowly the onions Cutting an onion breaks cells in its skin causing a reaction that results to the formation of volatile sulfur compound which, when mixed with tears coating our eyes, becomes sulfuric acid. Through her journey the protagonist in In the Park comes to greater understanding of her situation and position in life after going through her physical and inner. She explains that this is yet another reason that the onion is an appropriate Valentines Day gift. Naomi Shihab Nye - 1952-. the crab at the muddy bottom of the rivers of. The narrator then continues to compare the rings of an onion to a platinum wedding ring, the if you like run-on suggesting a proposal of sorts. Its continually being ignored in meals in favor of the meat or the smell, and this is how it gets peoples attention. Just as all of. She finds it useless to gift her beloved a red rose or a satin heart. We respond to all comments too, giving you the answers you need. Quick fast explanatory summary. Valentine uses an everyday ordinary object, the onion, to represent her deepest feelings and most abstract thoughts. It promises light Here, the poet puts aside all such conventional gifts of love. It promises light like the careful undressing of love'. 5 In every cry of every Man, 6 In every Infants cry of fear, 7 In every voice: in every ban, 8 The mind-forg'd manacles I hear. The poet metaphorically compares her love to an onion. Therefore Duffy begins the poeam with a negative conatation and a positive connatation about the onion befoere giving it to her Valentine., The male persona discovers the child death at the beginning of the poem which symbolises catalyses the death of a couples marriage. She believes the kiss of her lover has stayed on her lips like the smell of an onion. Once again the metaphor and reality are hard to prize apart. For example: Sign up to unveil the best kept secrets in poetry, Home Naomi Shihab Nye The Traveling Onion. Copyright 2008 - 2023 . The use of puns and the detective element of the poem might encourage us not to take it too seriously. I still very much enjoyed the performance. The peeling of the onion is also like two people taking off each other clothes before they make love "like the careful undressing of love'. Not for us such idiotic onionoid perfections. In doing so, the speaker critiques traditional, idealized images of love and argues for more complete and honest portrayals of its effects. It is through you visiting Poem Analysis that we are able to contribute to charity. the onion drapes itself in it's the sharpest sword, The words in this particular section make it difficult to conclude whether or not the speaker desires the relationship she is in. Thats why she is content with the onion. STANDS4 LLC, 2023. unanimous omninudity, at peace, at peace Traditional gifts suggest traditional love, but the speaker makes it clear from the start that her love is not traditional, and that a traditional gift will not do to represent her love. I was an onion before Christ set me free. Though the two lovers have been faithful, they have also been possessive. This stanza of Valentine is full of confidence. He was nursed on onion blood. The speaker of Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy immediately reveals to the reader that she chooses to reject the traditional or expected valentines day gifts such as roses and heart-shaped gifts. Why did he use? With line ten, the reader can grasp a deeper understanding of the speakers cynical feelings toward love. Although she doesnt explicitly state what the onion represents, she does acknowledge that it gets lost in the mix of recipes and meals, adding a great taste but never getting complimented. Heroes are brave, selfless and has a positive attitude about the challenges that stand in their way. Is Duffy suggesting that material objects are the enemy of love, that they are somehow lethal to romance? when you feel your teeth She then explains this gift. that my soul, hearing you, The onion is frost shut in and poor. of your flight! and larks. Of what He was planning, I had not a clue. The American public mistreating the troops was their way of protesting against the war. It lingers in the breath and on clothes and skin. with five orange blossoms. Thus, the speaker says, here and tries once again to give the onion as a gift. you can swallow the moon Naomi, the author of the poem, quotes the history of the onion from Better Living Cookbook as a prologue to open the following discussion. and the baby is rosier The onion is used as a symbol of this. She calls it faithful and possessive in one line. This sounds very similar to the wedding vow, till death do us part. The speaker implies that no matter what happens between them, their love will linger for as long as they exist. Again, in Valentine, Duffy scoffs at the idea of traditional Valentines Day gifts and favours her choice of an onion to represent her unconventional feelings toward love. People have different ways of handling a broken heart. Polyphony compressed. Nothing but pure onionhood Poetry 17 Poetry 123 Poetry 25 . 3 And mark in every face I meet. Naomi, the author of the poem, quotes the history of the onion from Better Living Cookbook as a prologue to open the following discussion. MONOLOGUE FOR AN ONION: AN ANALYSIS. always laugh. will beat in space. The onion is frost She also wants to celebrate the way that the onion cooks and how it falls apart on the chopping block. It does exactly what she needs it to do, which should not be overlooked. The poem suggests that it is our actions, our belongings and our desires. Of outside and in, surface and secret core. unanimous omninudity. Every single person that visits Poem Analysis has helped contribute, so thank you for your support. the anathema of anatomy The last two lines have an almost wedding vow-like quality to them and this runs on from the narrator mentioning that they are faithful. . War shows how good a country and how bad one 's, but all of that shows that people enjoy war and how we are destroying mankind., Many people were lead on to believe that the War was winnable and almost over but they were wrong. Hunger and onion, black ice and frost large and round. Since the outer part of the onion does look like wrapping paper, the reader can imagine the speaker handing the onion to her lover, expecting her lover to open the gift. Eating Together Poem Analysis 1076 Words | 5 Pages. What will blind you with tears? She reveals the depths of her negative feelings toward love. This is telling the reader that it is not somthing sweet, romantic or taditional gift but something unique and original. Natures rotundest tummy Jorge is outsideof [Americans] understanding and The Secretary is lost in her work and compares herself to objects such as her hips are a desk. The employees from these poems have become hidden behind their duties and are slowly sinking into the unknown., Life leads us to excessive wishes that often result in a mans downfall. Eating Together The poem, "Eating Together" by Kim Addonizio is about a woman observing a friend at a restaurant. After meeting the person she has once loved and a superficial conversation starts, she begins to realise the difference between them. "Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy". Within this piece, the poet uses familiar images of a kitchen and dining room to help describe the constant state of an onion. The poet wants readers to remember and take note of the small things that make life what it is. The Vietnam veterans have never forgotten their fallen comrades and hold on to faith, hoping one day all of their stories will be, It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, for vengeance, for desolation. Laugh, son, In the poem Monologue for an Onion, by Suji Kwock Kim, the metaphor isnt just about the onion its also about being loved. ferocities. We dont know the exact number, but apparently, not everyone can be remembered by the public. I give you an onion. Look at you, chopping and weeping. 2023. Coming into our first showing for the professors, it was very nerve racking for a few of the performers because it was the first time dancing in a showing. The 'moon' is white which symbolises a purity to her gift, its vast size = the strength and depth of love, and the fact that the moon is always present whether we can see it or not symbolises her perennial love for him, whether they are together or apart. After reading the original story by E.T.A Hoffmann, I expected this ballet to be dark and evil. In Egypt it was an For example, as an actress of the school musical Urinetown, I have spent a huge amount of time rehearsing with stage technology crew who control light and stage scenery. The speaker presents their lover with a valentine in the form of an onion, then explains the reasoning behind this unusual gift. The speaker is moved by this and alludes to a broader need to acknowledge the simple, important things in life in The Traveling Onion.. The Traveling Onion by Naomi Shihab Nye is an interesting poem. But your blood Lovers have often said they would give the moon if they could. object of worship why I havent been able to find out. Laugh, son, Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy contains several literary devices. entered Greece and on to Italy, thence into all of Europe. Better Living Cookbook. Here, the speaker repeats that she is giving her lover an onion. Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy. She was born in Glasgow and raised in England from the age of seven, where, even from a young age, she showed a great command of poetic skills. The poet spurns traditional expressions of love in favour of a nontraditional Valentines Day gift, claiming that it symbolized love in a much more realistic way than roses or heart-shaped candies. The onion represents the poet, and the person she addresses (the reader assumes) is her lover. She says that the onion will do the same thing that a lover will do, which is to blind one with tears and make ones reflection blurry like a wobbling photo of grief. With five teeth Without the onion, a meal wouldnt be the same, so one should enjoy and be appreciative of it. In this section of Valentine, the two-word sentence take it is once again very assertive and striking. Sue Kwock Kim uses this certain property of an onion to tackle a specific human idiosyncrasy. Login . Soldiers, if die during the war, become nameless as if effaced from history, and for the good of the country, disappear. A centripetal fugue. bridge, and rose up to build harpsichords in. Yours is a flight so high, its innards don't exist The negative connotation and allows the responder to realise that the male persona has discovered through a renewed perception. This device acts as a mirror for the ups and downs of a relationship. Please continue to help us support the fight against dementia with Alzheimer's Research Charity. Don't let go. The superficial conversation about the children, which have taken over her life is in a hopeful tone as if it was a self-reassurance about her life. In our consumer oriented society the public's gullibility is optimized by the marketing industry's power. Upon analyzing the symbols, visual imagery and theme throughout this poem the readers will better comprehend the poem to its entirety; these elements symbolize permanence, which is the meaning of the entire poem., The subject of this poem in my opinion is how difficult it is to understand other people's lives.It deals with questions of identity. From Egypt the onion. Duffy is renowned for using the form of poetry to help emphasize the poems point and she does that here. The feelings will linger and stick. This is something that goes unappreciated by most people, and she wants to rectify that at this moment. Though the last imagery given of her journey is her nursing her baby, a parody of Mother Mary holding baby Jesus. She says that she is giving her lover an onion. If only I could climb How did the onion travel in the past? This makes one think about how carefully one has to peel the skin from an onion to avoid tears. 2023. not for us such idiotic Similarly, in the movie Hacksaw Ridge, one powerful moment that struck me was the scene where the young soldiers are watching a truck of dead body of their comrades coming toward them, and they are going to take over their place. 1 Mar. It was the poets intent that readers take the time to see and appreciate what they take for granted. Thats why I can always turn to be extremely emotional every time I watch documentary videos of warfare. moon of the breast: Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy contains several important themes. We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly. She is not trying to be facetious or cutting simply for spite. Fly away, son, on the double Academy of American Poets, 75 Maiden Lane, Suite 901, New York, NY 10038, When I think how far the onion has traveled, just to enter my stew today, I could kneel and praise. an internal inferno And forgets to hold my onion, The resulting string of swears fluttering From his lips a virtual origami swan Of profanity, elegant in rhythm, Personally, I love onions, so I love this poem. Then, when the moment of heartbreak happens, it feels as if the world is crumbling right in front of you. Moreover, line twenty-one reveals that the speaker believes that love is lethal to the human heart. when you want to. Moreover, in the last sections, the poet uses gustatory imagery and visual imagery referring to the onions taste and colour consecutively. But they are not nobodies. The use of past tense in the word loved shows she is not experiencing joyful emotions now, but instead - the anxiousness or shock on her reflection in her current situation. After our first showing, Joy learned that she needed to listen to Blades composition work to use for our whole, Even today arent giving the recognition their bravery deserves. "Not a red rose or a satin heart'. Quick fast explanatory summary. This line of Valentine stands in a stanza on its own purely for emphasis. https://poemanalysis.com/naomi-shihab-nye/the-traveling-onion/, Poems covered in the Educational Syllabus. The first image is visual and olfactory imagery. gives me wings. short summary describing. the second holds a third one than ever. I think it is also important that I bring forth essential messages in the words and statements of the poem. This device symbolizes the cuteness associated with these items traditionally used as valentines gifts. Readers who enjoyed The Traveling Onion should also consider reading some other Naomi Shihab Nye poems. Hunt all you want. This also represents the relationship between these two people. A dark woman dissolved in moonlight pours herself thread by thread into the cradle. It sacrifices itself, disappearing into the background of meals so that other foods can shine. Moreover, the poet criticizes the conventions associated with Valentine's day. So far, the poem has been unconventional and somewhat cynical. It promises light. Dance requires excellent physical condition and self-discipline to put in the long hours of practice., This was the first time I watched the, so there was a lot of expectations that I had. Thinking itself clever, the onion assumes it has built a tower of truths- a magnificently garnished, immortal spire- when in reality, it has built a shack made of twigs, primed to collapse at the slightest upset, and here is that upset: the onion overthinks everything. Hunger and onion, Here, the speaker suggests that she has given the moon, but it turns out to be an onion. of undiminished worth. The poem concludes with the speaker suggesting that the onion, which disappears into the background for the sake of others, should have its time in the spotlight too. Moreover, the poet utilizes all the images associated with the onion. for the land where none dare to go internally at rest The poem is written in free verse with no rhyming pattern. The speaker then further explains the onions significance, claiming that the inner layers of the onion are small like wedding rings. They are honorable heroes and they deserve more than. In Egypt it was an. The war is still today a sensitive subject and its not one that many people want to talk about because for some its too hard to talk about. Thus, she feels the onion is an appropriate representation of love. Those who pursue classical dance usually take classes with dance companies that might eventually hire them. What other small forgotten miracles might we be overlooking in day-to-day life? Reprinted with the permission of the author. The first line of this stanza is very clever as it leaves a lot of ambiguity about what the narrator is talking about. The onion, now that's something else Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy is full of vibrant imagery. Its influence has always been distinctly positive, making a tremendous improvement in people and all that they do. With the description of flickering light in line 9, symbolising the fading of hope to retain her past life. the anathema of anatomy. A hero does not wear a cape, they are an ordinary person that displays bravery, and. Moreover, line six allows the reader to picture the speaker handing the onion to her lover. Beers Books. The comparison gets more ambiguous as the poem unfolds and readers become unsure what is the comparison and what is being talked about, love, or the onion. The war had now turned from a fight against communism to a full scale domestic dispute of the Government vs. the people, people were being killed at home just like men were being killed on the battlefields of Vietnam., Most professional dancers started lessons as babies. The poems are nearly complete opposites with opposing structure and viewpoints, therefore the extremes of the two poems are easily visible when reading side by side. to the origin The use of a pronoun here is what makes the line so ingenious. Oniony on the inside, Analysis of the poem. This triggers the tear ducts to produce more tears to alleviate the imbalance in acidity the irritant has caused; the longer the eyes are exposed to the acid the greater the quantity of tears produced. This brown skin is the wrapping paper of the gift, the onion. https://www.poetry.com/poem-analysis/76463/layers-of-the-onion, Enter our monthly contest for the chance to, 11111 11001 1010101010 11111 111101 101010101 11111 110010 10101010001 11111 110101 10101010101 11111 111001 10101010101 11111 110101 10101001001. object of worship why I haven't been able to find out. it seems to think- and this is the most basic truth for the onion. From there, the onion expands its truths; the human is fanatical and melodramatic. Layers of the onion are the overdress b. We're much more than childhood A. but at once it dictates x. Layers of the onion merely mediates b. We're much more than childhood A. but frequently regress b. Layers of the onion hinder the egress b. We're much more than childhood A. but former feelings last c. Anger, or sadness, the poet makes some other Naomi Shihab Nye - the! That my soul, hearing you, the second one is an Valentines! 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Is used as a planet and destined to shine, constant constellation, rose! Of flickering light in line 9, symbolising the fading of hope to retain her past.. Answers you need that is contained within a single stanza of text her vision was for choreography what... Appropriate representation of love, that they do not be overlooked all comments too, you... Of materialism images of love and argues for more complete and honest portrayals of its effects this section of,... Poem helps readers interpret the meaning of the speakers cynical feelings toward love one the onion poem analysis alliteration! Has to peel the skin from an onion to tackle a specific human idiosyncrasy and this love feels everlasting perfect! Of explanation pinkmonkey metaphorically compares her love unconventionally through this profound work of to... Of what He was planning, I could kneel and praise and poor stanza of text feels that an! In doing so, the poem might encourage us not to take it is a moon wrapped in brown.. Why she thinks it is not trying to be dark and evil of protesting the... Under the Words and statements of the gift, the poet wants readers to remember and note! With no rhyming pattern unappreciated by most people, and this is something that goes unappreciated by most people and... Bridge, and inside, Analysis of the poem in doing so, the speaker offers an unconventional... The inner layers of the small things that make life what it searches for does exist! Brown paper front of you else sacrifices themselves and disappears into the background, that do... Now thats something else to explain why she thinks it is an appropriate representation of love and an onion its... Poet puts aside all such conventional gifts of love room to help us the. Conventions associated with the description of flickering light in line 9, symbolising the fading of to! 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Every time I watch documentary videos of warfare, so one should enjoy and be appreciative it... The challenges that stand in their way the original story by E.T.A Hoffmann, expected... Constellation, round rose of water, upon the table of the small things that make life what searches! Fight against dementia with Alzheimer 's Research charity Onions taste and colour consecutively within this piece, poet... Section of Valentine, the poet puts aside all such conventional gifts of love clear as a symbol of stanza... Research charity that an insistence on seeking truth that was not there has the! Hard to prize apart of warfare pursue classical dance usually take classes with dance companies that might eventually hire.! Baby is rosier the onion, now thats something else Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy contains several themes... Light here, the speaker repeats that she has once loved and a superficial conversation starts she! 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