Who is the speaker of the poem?

The speaker is a young boy, likely around 8 to 10 years old, as suggested by the details—catching rides on the groceryman's cart, sharing snacks as gifts, and having a sled. Field never mentions his name, which helps the poem resonate with a broader audience.

What does 'hitch' mean in the poem?

'Hitching' was a popular pastime for kids in the 19th century. You'd tie your sled to the back of a horse-drawn cart and enjoy a free ride along the way. The groceryman has allowed the boy to do this whenever his cart goes by — a real treat in the boy's life.

Why does the boy mention other girls wanting to ride the sled?

He's trying to make his crush feel special by hinting that she has competition. It's a classic tactic — even a young boy instinctively gets that exclusivity makes something more attractive. The funny part is that he quickly undermines his own plan by making it clear she's the only one he really wants.

What is the effect of using words like 'tribute' and 'apprise' in a poem about a child?

Field intentionally combines formal, sophisticated language with simple childhood experiences. This contrast creates the poem's humor—the boy takes the lofty language of adult romance and earnestly applies it to everyday things like apples and sleds.

Is the poem meant to be funny or serious?

Both, really. The comedy takes the spotlight — the dramatic language, the snack list, and the sled as a romantic prize. But beneath all that, Field is truly celebrating the sincerity of childhood love. The boy's devotion feels genuine, even if it's on a small scale, and the poem honors that.

What poetic devices does Field use in 'A Valentine'?

The poem features a consistent end rhyme scheme, primarily using couplets and triplets, creating a lively, song-like rhythm that matches its playful subject matter. Field also employs **mock-heroic** language, taking the formal vocabulary of serious love poetry and applying it to trivial situations for humorous effect. The repetition of the closing lines helps to unify the poem's structure.

What does the poem say about love?

It suggests that love drives you to keep trying, even if the other person doesn’t feel the same way. You give what you can, even if it’s just snacks, and the wish to be chosen — to be the *one* — is something everyone shares, whether you’re an adult or a child on a sled.

The Annotated Edition

A VALENTINE by Eugene Field

Summary, meaning, line-by-line analysis & FAQ.

Read aloud in ~2 minOpen reading mode →

A young boy sends Cupid to deliver his Valentine's Day message to his crush, acknowledging that she doesn't treat him well but insisting that his feelings remain strong.

Poet: Eugene Field
Themes: childhood, hope, identity

The PoemFull text

A VALENTINE

Eugene Field

Go, Cupid, and my sweetheart tell I love her well. Yes, though she tramples on my heart And rends that bleeding thing apart; And though she rolls a scornful eye On doting me when I go by; And though she scouts at everything As tribute unto her I bring-- Apple, banana, caramel-- Haste, Cupid, to my love and tell, In spite of all, I love her well! And further say I have a sled Cushioned in blue and painted red! The groceryman has promised I Can "hitch" whenever he goes by-- Go, tell her that, and, furthermore, Apprise my sweetheart that a score Of other little girls implore The boon of riding on that sled Painted and hitched, as aforesaid;-- And tell her, Cupid, only she Shall ride upon that sled with me! Tell her this all, and further tell I love her well.

§01Quick summary

What this poem is about

A young boy sends Cupid to deliver his Valentine's Day message to his crush, acknowledging that she doesn't treat him well but insisting that his feelings remain strong. His grand romantic gesture is an invitation for her to ride on his cherished red-and-blue sled — and he makes sure she knows that other girls would love that chance too. It's a charming and humorous poem about the simplest form of love: the playground kind.

§02Themes

Recurring themes

§03Line by line

Stanza by stanza, with notes

Go, Cupid, and my sweetheart tell / I love her well.
Editor's note
The boy starts by sending Cupid as his messenger — a playful reference to the classic Valentine's Day tradition. This short rhyming couplet sets a sing-song, childlike tone for the entire poem right from the beginning.
Yes, though she tramples on my heart / And rends that bleeding thing apart;
Editor's note
Field takes the grand, dramatic language often found in adult romantic poetry—think trampled hearts and bleeding wounds—and channels it into a schoolboy crush. The humor lies in how exaggerated this 'suffering' is for such a scenario, and that's precisely the point.
And though she rolls a scornful eye / On doting me when I go by;
Editor's note
The girl either ignores him or regards him with disdain, but he continues to appear. The phrase 'doting me' perfectly reflects the helpless, devoted nature of a kid who simply can't stop liking someone who doesn't return his feelings.
And though she scouts at everything / As tribute unto her I bring--
Editor's note
'Scouts at' suggests that she mocks or dismisses his gifts. The term 'tribute' is another example of borrowed adult-romance language—he presents his apple, banana, and caramel as offerings to a queen, which makes the ordinary snack list all the more amusing.
Apple, banana, caramel-- / Haste, Cupid, to my love and tell,
Editor's note
The abrupt shift from lofty language to a simple list of snacks delivers the poem's first major comedic impact. These are the genuine gifts a boy can truly offer, and Field presents them with genuine sincerity.
And further say I have a sled / Cushioned in blue and painted red!
Editor's note
Now the boy plays his trump card: the sled. The details—cushioned in blue and painted red—reveal his pride. To him, this is like a grown man offering jewels.
The groceryman has promised I / Can 'hitch' whenever he goes by--
Editor's note
'Hitching' referred to attaching a sled to the back of a horse-drawn vehicle for a free ride — a popular and somewhat risky pastime for kids in the 1880s. Having a standing arrangement with the groceryman is a significant status symbol in his community.
Go, tell her that, and, furthermore, / Apprise my sweetheart that a score / Of other little girls implore
Editor's note
Here, the boy uses a classic romantic tactic: making her aware of the competition. He wants her to realize she’s not his only option, even though she clearly is. The formal word 'apprise' adds a humorous contrast between the fancy vocabulary and the everyday situation.
And tell her, Cupid, only she / Shall ride upon that sled with me!
Editor's note
After teasing the competition, he quickly reveals his true feelings—she's the only one he desires. The sled ride serves as his way of asking, "Will you be mine?" and it's surprisingly heartfelt beneath the humor.
Tell her this all, and further tell / I love her well.
Editor's note
The poem wraps up by returning to its opening lines, creating a neat and satisfying conclusion. The phrase 'I love her well' feels even warmer on the second reading, as we now understand the depth and nature of that love.

§04Tone & mood

How this poem feels

Playful and warm, with a gentle comic irony woven throughout. Field captures the breathless, dramatic tone of adult love poetry and puts it in the voice of a small boy — the contrast between the grand language and everyday realities (snacks, a sled, the groceryman) is where the humor thrives. Yet, there's real tenderness beneath the jokes; Field clearly sees childhood devotion as charming rather than foolish.

§05Symbols & metaphors

Symbols & metaphors

The sled: The sled is the boy's most cherished possession and his ultimate romantic gesture. It represents all the big displays of affection — like jewels, flowers, and serenades — that grown-up lovers give. The specific details (red paint, blue cushion) highlight how genuine and valuable it is to him.
Cupid: Cupid is known as the classic messenger of love, but in this case, he's off on an unusual mission. His role as a go-between emphasizes the contrast between the age-old traditions of romance and the simple, playful love story that unfolds here.
Apple, banana, caramel: These snacks reflect the boy's genuine but modest resources. While an adult suitor might show up with roses or chocolates, he brings what he can afford. The list is amusing, yet it also illustrates that he's putting forth his best effort.
The scornful eye: The girl's dismissive glance represents unrequited love and the specific hurt of being overlooked by someone you admire. It reflects the 'cruel mistress' trope from classical love poetry, brought down to the schoolyard level.

§06Historical context

Historical context

Eugene Field wrote this poem in the 1880s when he was a prominent Chicago newspaper columnist and known for his light, humorous verse. He had a unique ability to portray childhood authentically—not with a sentimental hindsight, but with sharp comic insight into how kids think and feel. By this time, Valentine's Day had already become a popular commercial and sentimental event in the U.S., with printed cards and public displays of affection common. Field takes that tradition and presents it through the eyes of a boy who has picked up the language of romantic love from the adults around him but is applying it to a situation that fits his age perfectly. The poem is part of a larger cultural moment in American literature that recognized domestic life and childhood innocence as important subjects deserving serious literary exploration.

§07FAQ

Questions readers ask

It's about a young boy who wants to send a Valentine's Day message to his crush through Cupid. He knows she treats him poorly, but he loves her just the same. His grand romantic gesture is offering her an exclusive ride on his cherished red-and-blue sled.

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A VALENTINE by Eugene Field

A VALENTINE

What this poem is about

Recurring themes

Stanza by stanza, with notes

How this poem feels

Symbols & metaphors

Historical context

Questions readers ask

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