Reflex Reactions

What activates my reflex arc
And causes me to shiver?
Which stimuli come into play
To set my nerves aquiver?

At home alone at dead of night
A creak will make me skittish.
My lower lip begins to drop
In fashion quite un-British! *

And should I inadvertently
Whilst in the garden walking,
Be tickled by a spider's web
The shock will leave me balking.

Don't mention snakes and darting bats
Obnoxious smells and vermin,
Or scraping sound as chalk meets board,
For all will leave me squirming.

In other matters I am bold;
No lily-livered chicken.
But when sheer instinct rules the roost
It leaves my senses stricken.

* in contrast to the traditional British 'stiff upper lip'

08.06.19

'What makes you flinch poetry contest'
Sponsored by Julie Leigh Rodeheaver
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Sergi Avatar
June 16, 2019 at 3:36 PM
Hi Wendy: You summed up the word flinch with your cleverly worded poem. Bravo!
Watson Avatar
June 16, 2019 at 4:10 PM
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and give kind feedback,Ralph.
Romios Avatar
June 12, 2019 at 1:26 PM
Hi Wendy, Your writing style is remarkable. I loved this. Well done. Panagiota Romios
Watson Avatar
June 16, 2019 at 4:07 PM
Thank you for such an encouraging comment, Panagiota. I sound like such a wimp, don't I ?!
Ippaso Avatar
June 11, 2019 at 3:20 PM
Love it Wendy - my sort of style. Humor with pathos. Well done.
Watson Avatar
June 12, 2019 at 12:24 PM
Thank you so much for reading and giving this encouraging feedback,Robert.
Neumann Avatar
June 10, 2019 at 9:33 AM
That is very funny. Good luck in the contest.
Watson Avatar
June 12, 2019 at 12:23 PM
Thank you Kai. I'm glad it raised a smile!
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