Dining Needle

When I was young, a dining needle
Was the term we used
To name a flying insect, but
Turns out we were confused.

For darning needle is another
Phrase for dragonfly.
If you see one up close, then you
Will know the reason why.

Its thin and tapered body looks
Like what we’d use to sew,
But “darning” is a word that many
People do not know.

And so a word misheard became
A means of us defining
The dragonfly, which we assumed
Was out to do some dining.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Borke Avatar
September 26, 2017 at 10:08 AM
I, too, knew the scary dining needle. Are you from New York?
Borke Avatar
September 26, 2017 at 10:38 AM
Yup, from Brooklyn, too. We rarely saw dragon flies. The scary mud-dauber wasp with the menacing, hanging stinger was what we mistakenly called a dining needle.
Bauer Avatar
September 26, 2017 at 10:24 AM
Yes I am! Grew up in Brooklyn, currently live in Manhattan...
Turner Avatar
July 10, 2017 at 8:18 AM
In the south we call them mosquito eaters. I guess not many people darn socks anymore, Mrs Ilene. Cool poem as always:)
Green Avatar
July 10, 2017 at 7:02 AM
This was really cute Ilene. I had never heard that before. I know what darning is but to use it to describe a dragonfly, that is a new one on me. :)
Dietrich Avatar
July 9, 2017 at 7:54 PM
how funny, I never heard this wrong expression for them. I had not even heard darning needle either, so this was cute AND informative.
Berggren Avatar
July 9, 2017 at 4:37 PM
Haven't seen a dragon fly in awhile. I like the way you used dining to mean two things, killing and eating.
Rigoler Avatar
July 9, 2017 at 4:13 PM
Ha! This is all new to me. As a boy we were told dragon flies were also called sewing needles and the fear was if we got too close to them they'd sew up our lips! I've written a poem on this very subject. / M
Allison Avatar
July 9, 2017 at 3:54 PM
With my avatar can imagine this made me smile Ilene!:-) hugs Jan xx
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace