David Kavanagh Poet Free verse

Race to the bottom

It’s a crooked slope 
that leads to hell 
and I’m riding it 
Stance Goofy

Those Regulars
that believe they aren’t, 
are way out in front 
tripping over themselves 
polishing and buffering the way 

So I must be putting 
the right foot forward 

Besides, I also carry a mascot 
and fail safe 
It’s a goldfish in a bag 
who never moves his left fin

He’s showing more zip
in his tail of recent 
since I started feeding him
those highly energised 
copper and black batteries 

He won’t be going down 
anytime soon 
except maybe with 
lead poisoning 

I prefer lithium myself 
it’s much lighter 
and makes my collapse 
easier to stomach 

*               *              *

life wearing braces 
whilst holding a bag of fish 
be happy with me 

By
David Kavanagh

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Paula Goldsmith February 17, 2026 at 9:03 AM What a creative/fun write. I enjoyed reading your "Race to the bottom." Are we there yet??? Hahahha!!!! I also prefer lithium. Have a fun day writing away............ David Kavanagh February 17, 2026 at 1:18 PM Haha! I probably am, but I’m sure you’re not there yet, a lot of absurdism and word play going on in this one, as usual I’m in the mix too, yes the lithium type are the way to go, much more streamlined :) cheers David

Laurentine G February 16, 2026 at 9:40 AM Oh my, the sport edition from my favourite quantum physicist! My technique for reading your poetry is to try to sense from my inner eternal being rather than this comedy earthly brain, let's see how I go :) I have to admit I'm transported from the slopes to the coalmines & fishy becomes a canary before he takes me to the funfair & gives me a child's perspective view. But we're all on the slopes whilst my brain is bouncing around! Anywhere but there Davy boy - brace for impact! Love the surreal David Kavanagh February 16, 2026 at 10:06 AM Hey there Miss Godspeed, thank you for joining me on the surreal slopes of life today, a lot going on here for sure, using technical snowboard jargon; but which foot is actually the right one when racing to the bottom? I’m a natural (Stance Goofy) myself, my mascot and companion (the goldfish) doesn’t really care, he’s just there representing hope and hopelessness, although does his fair share of the heavy lifting in this one, just like that Canary you mentioned, as for the impact, whatever eases the blow can’t be a bad thing :) thanks so much for tackling this one head on! Cheers David