String Jungle

Cherry

By Rhiannonw

Thu, 08 Feb 2018
  • 3917 reads
17 comments
 

It’s an extraordinary thing
that a length of string
or thinnish flex that‘s tumbled around
will soon be found
twisted in lots
of tangles and knots;
you just wouldn’t believe
how soon a loose end
will slip and weave,
bend and wend
through the coils:

so tightly bind,
the folds so the end
can’t wriggle or wind
into labyrinth elaborate
of knitted knots intricate.

[Poetry Monthly February: Twist]

 

Certificate U
Poetry Monthly
Miscellaneous
Humour

Comments

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

my hair straighteners every single morning - and it's a complete mystery how it happens! Good observation in this contribution to the brief!

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

!  Thank you, Insert, but I hope you find a way to keep from the daily unravelling! I suppose it's the same when you unravel wool and leave it without rolling it up and fixing it. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks for the cherries. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Funnily enough Rhiannon, this reminds me of trying to unravel fairylights at Christmas, they always seem to get in such a tangle. 

Loved your use of words, really made the poem flow well.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Jenny. Lots of things with a loose end get tangled if left alone and tumbled around a bit. Takes us by surprise, though I suppose it shouldn't really! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Kat027 on

Ha! so true and described with a "twist" of humour! Enjoyed this jaunty little rhymer, nice one!

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Kat! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Yes, fairy lights. But also hoover cord, any piece of string or garden wire longer than 6", hosepipes, saved ribons from Christmas... If only they could be like spaghetti - straight until needed. Great idea for a poem and a good life lesson too. I LOVE the title

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks. Yes, they have to be wound up and bound not to appear to have a life of their on and the end slip through and get into knots! I'm glad you liked the title, as I'd been considering something else, which I realised might be confusing. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Enjoyed this Rhiannon. I even manage to tangle my two dogs' leads as I walk them, as for garden twine, it's left me hyperventilating at times.  

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

!! can quite imagine! Thanks, Jane. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by fatboy74 on

String and your words. This is a small gem and I had forgotten the word 'wend' which I will now store away and steel. Really good.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks. I did enjoy the words playing around in this one! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Was thinking about it last night, there are lots of words with ngle in eg tangle, jungle, bungle, mangle, wrangle, mingle that mean a bit "out of order". Gangly makes me think of tangled legs. Maybe because your tongue has to twist a bit to say the sound? This is not the first time one of your poems has given me lots to think about :0)

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Interesting! I suppose a bit onomatopoeic. I think my tongue likes handling a lot of consonants! I suppose the 'jumble, tumble, crumble, grumble…'  words create a different effect? Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

jumble tumble crumble grumble sounds like a landslide? But also there is a roundness to the words? Mumble rumble snoring slumber or fumbling bumbling clumsy  thumbs

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Sorry, missed this! I think I used 'muddled grumbles', and 'grumble'  'crumble' and 'mumble' and 'murmur' for complaining scenarios before now! Rhiannon