Demise of the Flax

Before you reach for your axe,
There are some facts you need to know about flax.

A Flax rope made well
Will get you safely out of the well.

With a little toil,
You can make money from flax seed oil,
Or a basket you should try
If you want to pay off your lay-bye.

You can't go awry
If you make a mat for a Marae (Maori Meeting house)
And many Flax cloaks
Have been made by Maori folk.
Why go to Scotland,
When you can get a Flax kilt in this land.
Your feet will not go rotten, 
With Flax on their bottom.

If fishing is your line,
Then a Flax line will do just fine.
And a Flax trap will get you an eel
For your meal.

A drink made from Flax flower nectar
Will need no added sugar.
If you are lucky you may see a Tui (NZ bird) or three
Getting their nectar for free. 

Now you have the facts on Flax first hand,
I hope you can see, demand though down,
May yet turn around and jobs could be found.

But if your axe is not yet away,
I have one last thing to say.
A saw with a chain bought from a store,
Will best suit your chore.
I know this for a fact,
As no-one was there when I reached for my axe.

Now I have no Flax and no axe.
No more Tui are within cooee
And my lay-bye has gone bye bye.

It is almost too much to bare,
Until I down more of my favourite beer
And I see a Tui once more.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Smith nee Howarth Avatar
June 9, 2026 at 10:18 PM
You sure have a way with humorous verse. I am glad you found a new source to see a Tui.
Smith Avatar
June 9, 2026 at 11:06 PM
Thanks it was another poem done on the subject of flax given to me by a friend. Love the challenge of writing on demand. Thanks again for stopping by. David in NZ Another poem i did on demand you might like is called Baking
Robinson Jr. Avatar
July 25, 2019 at 9:21 AM
Very humorous info-verses, David. A mighty fine debut offering. May love light your path in life always. Romantic Warrior
Smith Avatar
July 25, 2019 at 4:57 PM
Thanks Freddie. Good of you to say so. I have a friend who I sometimes ask for a topic. That was the result of him saying Flax. Poetry is still a medium free of corruption on the soup anyway. Glad you have a light to follow and hope in your heart, and kind words for others. Very best regards David in NZ
Emu Avatar
July 22, 2016 at 4:45 PM
Great first posting. Enjoyed the read, Light and entertaining. Look forward to reading more of your poems. Regards, Craig
Smith Avatar
July 22, 2016 at 5:22 PM
Thank you Craig. I am glad I decided to join poetry soup. My identity is precious to me, but life is never risk free. I was a Cub and scout leader where risk management helped us still enjoy what was on offer. One of my own quotes is Life is about sorting the good from the bad without being had. Thanks for taking time to read my contribution. Will look yours up. Best wishes David in NZ
Teagan Avatar
July 10, 2016 at 6:37 AM
wow, there is so much I didn't know about Flax! Interesting and informative first post, David. I look forward to reading your other posts. I'd like to invite you check out my contest... "Make Me Feel It" There is no cash prize, but hopefully it will inspire you to write more poetry. You can find the contests in the blue sections at the top of this page. Welcome to poetry soup!
Smith Avatar
July 10, 2016 at 7:11 AM
Thank you. Will look into your contest and your posts. Catch you again soon. David from NZ
Andresen Avatar
June 27, 2016 at 8:33 AM
- I read your first poem today David, nice rhyming and a great poems - You write skillfully - I'm not that good to rhyme in English, but I try from time to time :) - Welcome to Poetry Soup :) - hugs // Sun :) Norway
Smith Avatar
June 27, 2016 at 4:37 PM
Thank you. Really nice to get comments from different parts of the world. I have a friend who challenges me with a word or a phrase. That was how this poem came into being. I also read my poems every third Sunday afternoon at local bar where they have jazz and poetry. Plus one night a month with group run by owners of book shop where I have a self published book. Both challenge me to produce new material. Regards David from NZ
A  Avatar
June 26, 2016 at 10:23 AM
David,, enjoyed reading your poem, thank you for sharing your thoughts through words. *SKAT*
Smith Avatar
June 26, 2016 at 4:27 PM
Thanks. I have a friend who challenges me to keep writing. He gives me phrases or words. That is how this poem came about. I try to vary my style but tend to have messages in my poems and like to use rhyme and give hope but will throw in occasional nonsense poems for fun. Regards David from NZ.
A   Avatar
June 26, 2016 at 12:12 AM
DAVID,, Welcome to Poetry soup, I hope you enjoy the community. Here, you will find friendly poets who enjoy supporting one another. I myself, enjoy reading and commenting those who want to be read. The only time I give constructive criticism is when a poet desires it. However, if for some reason the poem is not my field I will guide you to someone who is more qualified than I. Stop by and read one of my poems if you like. My poems are not perfect, but I have a feeling you might like one. I encourage you to check out the contest page and read to receive comments. Tell me a little about your poetic skills if you like. It will be my pleasure to follow and read every poem you post from here on :) We are Lucky To Have you. Your New Poet Friend @-> LINDA <-@
Smith Avatar
June 26, 2016 at 3:40 AM
Thank you for that. I am impressed with the site so far. Thanks for the welcome. I like to vary my style but most tends to have a message and I tend to set to rhyme if I can and generally want my poetry to give hope. I like people to give me a word or a theme to challenge me in my writing. That is how the demise of the Flax came about. I read my poetry once a month as part of a Jazz and Poetry afternoon at a local bar. Also once a month with group run by 2 ladies who also run book shop - I have a self published book (Through Xlibris) in the shop on the state of Childcare in NZ which is relevant to other parts of world - based on my experience of 30 years as ECE teacher.. My readings are for free but would like to publish my poems. Will be posting more poems. Regards David
Gupta Avatar
June 25, 2016 at 5:47 AM
A lovely poem ... Loved it ...
Smith Avatar
June 25, 2016 at 3:16 PM
Thank you for taking the time. Have a few more up my sleeve. Hope you are well. Regards David
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