Killicks

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(Entry for the Killick Poetry Contest, Sponsor: Craig Cornish, submitted August 1, 2025)

All around us 
there are killicks.
Nothing about this 
is mythic
or metaphysic.
Killicks are small anchors
bringing balance 
and stability
and even predictability
to many aspects of our lives.

Killicks can be people,
things and places
bringing comfort 
and normalcy:
love, food, friendship, kind faces,
the feeling of security
and comfortability.
The more killicks we've got
should be appreciated,
and seen not as an afterthought.

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I Am Anaya

Date: 8/9/2025 12:53:00 PM

Jim, since you mentioned food, Jim my favorite killick are tapas! Planche de Chair Cuite..To Love Well is to eat eternally, I read somewhere. Enjoyed__Anaya

Jim Healey
Date: 8/10/2025 5:37:00 AM

I have never had tapas, but a tapas bar recently opened in my hometown. Your comment has aroused my curiosity! Thank you for your comment. Cheers from Canada.

Rowena Velasco

Date: 8/6/2025 7:05:00 AM

I really appreciate this one, Jim — such a grounded and gentle metaphor. “Killicks” as those steadying forces in life really resonated with me. It's a quiet reminder to notice and value what keeps us anchored. Lovely work!

Jim Healey
Date: 8/6/2025 7:51:00 AM

Rowena, thank you very much. It's always important to realize and appreciate even the smallest things that bring pleasure AND balance to our lives. And I know comments like yours do that for me. You seem like a lovely person. Thank you again.

Sara Etgen-Baker

Date: 8/1/2025 4:11:00 PM

I agree, the more killicks, the better. Best wishes with the contest & have a pleasant evening, Sara

Jim Healey
Date: 8/1/2025 4:15:00 PM

Thank you, Sara. As always, I appreciate your kind words. Cheers from Canada. Jim