Robin’s Pincushion

By Rhiannonw

Thu, 07 Nov 2019
  • 1584 reads
10 comments
 

‘Moss gall’ on a hedge rose:
gall wasp larvae nibbling in a leaf bud
stimulate growth to be fed;
and so develops this unusual
and beautiful colourful shape
also called rose bedeguar gall,
and
‘save-whallop’ – apparently
some schoolboys, long ago
used to put one on their cuff
as a charm against flogging –
a distraction for the frustrated teacher?

 

Certificate U
Poem
Nature
Nature

Comments

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

How fascinating Rhiannon!

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Insert. It was a very fascinating thing to see against a blue sky on a sunny day in September! Rhiannnon

 

Submitted by Nolan on

Some guys cut rubberfrom a tire tube and made lots of small holes in then they put the thing inside their trousers. I don't know if it worked I was rather resistant to these hidings the teacher was a joke compared with my dad. If I really had to have a hiding they just phoned my dad.

I hear corporal punishment is also now completely abolished , good. It is illegal in other words a crime. Assault.

Hope you are well Rhiannon!

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

It's a difficult subject, Nolan (and not the purpose of my poem!!) – proportionate corporal punishment or smacking given in a right mood and because of love can get the message across helpfully and briefly and 'all over and done with' quickly for youngsters, but it can be abused when tempers flare. And that is why it has been banned in schools. But also tempers sometimes flare more when situations get out of hand and there is no clear way of handling disobedience simply and clearly. Youngsters do like an ordered home and school routine, where they know their boundaries, and understand punishment of some form can be incurred. But it is a fallen world, and there can be abuse of authority.

(I hope you liked the nature aspect of the poem!)

Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Nolan on

Admittedly I did not understand the nature part of your poem I've never seen or heard of such a thing. Yes well and if hidings and that are necessary it has to be always consistent and as an act of love it should really never be in anger, it can be a very good thing but never heat of the moment. Also remember it is in fact Biblical. Very much so.

Even then, I don't like the idea of bodily punishment it is too easily abused. But lucky for me I have no children! Yet. So I can't speak and I don't want to talk about this anymore.

All the best Rhiannon, have a great weekend! &&

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Nolan, and God's blessings be with you. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

This was so interesting to read Rhiannon. We learn something new every day.

Thank you for sharing.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Jenny. They are very pretty and unusual. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Rhiannon

You often provide an education with your poems. Like Jenny I had never heard of or seen these things. Absolutely fascinating.

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Jean. I had not heard of it either, and they were so attractive and unusual, and, therefore not hard to track down and identify when home, especially as I had taken photographs. It was in September. Rhiannon