Thanks to Michelle Heidenrich Barnes and Helen Frost, today I am writing an ode to an ordinary object I know … too well. The poem is in response to Today’s Little Ditty’s monthly challenge, where Helen encouraged us to;
Choose an object (a seashell, a hairbrush, a bird nest, a rolling pin). Write five lines about the object, using a different sense in each line (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell). Then ask the object a question, listen for its answer, and write the question, the answer, or both.
Ode to a Toothpick
You made your point
with woody twangs,
divulging a taste of recent indulgences,
your slim figure never gaining an ounce.
Were you pining for the fragrance of the forest
when you planted your
slither of splinter deep in my gums
for near a week?
I’m sure I’m not the only one who has had a rather pointed jab from a toothpick…?
Today’s Poetry Friday is at Robyn Hood Black’s, Life on the Deckle Edge. Definitely worth a visit! Thanks, Robyn.
Ouch! this is clever, Kat. All these odes to common objects remind me of Valerie Worth’s small poems.
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Nicely done, Kat! “Slither of splinter” “divulging” and “indulgences” “woody twangs” — so many great sounds!
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Kat, that toothpick surely provided a memorable image for you to write about. I laughed at this line: your slim figure never gaining an ounce. I am designing my winter gallery this weekend so if you have an offering please send it my way.
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Oh, wonderful, but painful to think about. I love that “divulging a taste of recent indulgence”.
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Ouch! Way to take a painful experience and make it memorable and funny!
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Yowza! I’m not sure if the “slither of splinter” in the gums is more upsetting or the fact that the toothpick’s slim figure indulges but never gains an ounce. 😉 Seriously though, you certainly “made your point” with this ode poem, Kat—great job! I know you have some problems with the padlet sometimes, so I’ll go ahead and add it for you, okay? Thanks for joining in the fun!
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I should get to suitable internet towards the end of next week, Michelle – but if you get a chance to pop it up before then, that would be lovely. Thank-you. 🙂
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Ha! You’ve exactly captured why I’ve never been a fan of toothpicks except when absolutely, desperately necessary – ouchie!!
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Very thougthful and introspective, for such a mundane object…well done, Kathryn!
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Bwa ha ha ha ha ha. This gave me a great laugh. Fun and funny. Nice job.
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Love the line “divulging a taste of recent indulgences,” bringing to mind rich little appies of cheese and smoked oysters speared with a pick. Did you really have a toothpick splinter lodged in your gum for that long? Ouch!!
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I did, Violet. Gave me all sorts of awful imaginings, in the gums between (below) two tightly packed back molars. I couldn’t guess how they’d ever get it out of there if I had to see someone. Fortunately, my tongue worried it out when it got tender. And I vowed I’d never put another toothpick in my mouth!! Guess who didn’t stick to their resolution…
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Lovely, ooo-painful poem Kat, hope the slithers gone and the tantalizing taste lingers on . . .
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Thanks for the comments. It’s lovely to hear when a poem resonates with others – and what resonates. Hope your weekend is lovely.
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Wonderful question, imagining a toothpick with a plan for returning to the forest. I won’t see a toothpick the same way again.
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Love your ode! Not too long ago I had a splinter from a toothpick, but I was able to get it out right away. A couple weeks ago I found Soft Picks… and I’m liking them. http://www.gumbrand.com/gum-soft-picks-40-ct-632rc.html
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I will have to look out for these, Alice. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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This one definitely gets under the skin – er, gums. LOVE that pining for the forest bit! Thanks for sharing. :0)
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Just ow! How perfect is “your slim figure never gaining an ounce”!?
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Your blog is linked to day to mine for the “Found Poem” Scavenger Hunt! I’ve used a line from your Poetry Friday page!
http://mainelywrite.blogspot.com/2017/03/scavenger-hunt-for-world-poetry-day.html
Happy World Poetry Day!
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Thanks for linking, Donna. What a fun idea. Happy World Poetry Day to you, too!
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Love “were you pining for the fragrance of the forest…” Must try an ode to an object. Thank you for sharing!
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