Silly little toothpick
the elephant scolded
You cannot marry me
For our ears do not match
Can’t you see…
No, I can’t, snapped the toothpick
I’m as blind as a twig
But we could be platonic lovers
Don’t you agree…
No I don’t, roared the elephant
his tusks twirling round
And with that, the toothpick hurled him
tusks and all to the ground
You might think to yourself
This story has no moral
But the point's indubitably immortal:
With a blind toothpick never quarrel
Categories:
toothpick, anger, animal, conflict, humor,
Form: Narrative
"toothpick appreSHEhated"
all my ship is
in an empty
bottle a
long
with a
long long
note scribbled
or purposely
placed
in scrabble
tiles to be
read by
another
castaway
cast on a far
away
shore
taking
the time to take
the time to
drink
even
sip
a
bottle and
then waving
away sending
it
on
its
way way
back back
to the place
where it'll
most certainly
get five cents for the
no non
sense
return
deposit
Categories:
toothpick, color,
Form: Free verse
just a tooth pick
I pick up a toothpick
from a half empty glass jar
stare at it dreamily
actually some where else,
absently stroking its texture,
this was a tree once
birds nested in its branches
squirrels stole its acorns
hid them, for the hard cold times
it was tall and stalwart
filled with life.
I pick up a rock,
I hold a mountain.
Categories:
toothpick, imagery,
Form: Blank verse
“How come they all have Toothpick Legs?”
She wonders aloud,
face furrowing into a deep red frown.
“And mine are so big?”
“Genetics. Look at me and Mom.”
OK, I’m a blockhead.
Seven-year old angst understandably not placated.
“Your legs are beautiful and strong.”
Seems I’m getting somewhere now.
“Adventure legs are what you have.
You run so fast, the boys can’t catch you.”
“Well, one.” She corrects me.
“Look at the amazing things you can do.
Ski, surf, run, bike, skate, anything."
Her cheeks turn just a little scarlet.
Silently, One day, someone will love you,
adventure legs and all.
Like I love your mama.
After a ski day, she drew a prone stick figure.
Curiously, I ask, “What’s that, honey?
Why is she lying down?”
Big smile, with a hint of mischief.
“She can’t snowboard very well.
Toothpick Legs.”
4/2/16
Categories:
toothpick, body, daughter, image, woman,
Form: Free verse
The bare, leafless trees
Enshrouded by snow and ice
A winter beauty
Categories:
toothpick, nature, tree, winter,
Form: Haiku
The ordinary toothpick fills the needs of mankind
With a pick, pick, here, and a pick, pick there.
A little piece of stick with no holes, handles
Cords, plugs, tops, bottoms, insides, or batteries.
You little piece of stick, literally at the bottom of the totem pole.
Probably preserved in a bottom drawer in the dark rusted hull
Of the Titanic at the bottom of the sea; you little unwanted stick!
You little piece of stick, colorful, glistening, and perky sticking
Out of a pig-in-a-blanket on a party boat that’s floating
Off the Boston skyline, then slung; I said slung like spit
Into the cold murkiness that keeps the ship afloat, the party going
And the hors d’oeuvres handed out. Or, is the ship clunking about
On millions of discarded toothpicks?
All hail the toothpick.
You ordinary little piece of stick, or maybe,
Unordinary!?
Categories:
toothpick, conflict, dedication,
Form: Free verse