The spoon lives with the fork
in the drawer & finds it hard -
sharp edges prickling
round belly & stout lips
She who ladles warm chicken soup
on cold nights
She who sugars coffee & tea
on summer days
carves patience into her bosom
as he tangles with skinny long noodles
& wrangles with cured meats &
harpoons spicy shrimps, a fisherman
always coming back
oily, teeth red rimmed but never sated
Lying beside him on the rack
varnished her silvery skin, but
she keeps on giving her neck for the kiss
her bare back arching, half moon, half sun -
The knife, a close neighbor, one day
bluntly asked her: why?
She says:
Its my nature. I am a spoon.
Aesop Fable: The scorpion and the frog
Posted for: D'verse Poets Pub - Fables hosted by Bjorn Rudberg ~ Have a good weekend ~
Picture credit: Noir Art by Coby Whitmore
in the drawer & finds it hard -
sharp edges prickling
round belly & stout lips
She who ladles warm chicken soup
on cold nights
She who sugars coffee & tea
on summer days
carves patience into her bosom
as he tangles with skinny long noodles
& wrangles with cured meats &
harpoons spicy shrimps, a fisherman
always coming back
oily, teeth red rimmed but never sated
Lying beside him on the rack
varnished her silvery skin, but
she keeps on giving her neck for the kiss
her bare back arching, half moon, half sun -
The knife, a close neighbor, one day
bluntly asked her: why?
She says:
Its my nature. I am a spoon.
Posted for: D'verse Poets Pub - Fables hosted by Bjorn Rudberg ~ Have a good weekend ~
Picture credit: Noir Art by Coby Whitmore
I never thought about how difficult it might be for a spoon and knife to get along, but it sounds as if they both respect one another's natures and roles and are able to work it out. I really liked the ending, Grace.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mary ~ This was fun to write ~
DeleteThe nature of the soft spoon.. what a great take on the moral.. I have a feeling this will be a great night of poetry...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely challenge Bjorn ~
DeleteI had never heard that one Grace. >KB
ReplyDeleteI included the Aesop link under the post KB ~
DeleteA yes, most of us never escape our own nature; regardless of parentage, place in society, or wealth--that's why the notion of karma allows soothes me; for one day the original fork will be discarded, & in its next reincarnation, it might come back as a spoon, & will understand the other's perspective.
ReplyDeleteNow I like the reincarnation idea, perhaps this way we will understand the other's perspective ~ Thanks Glenn ~
DeleteI really loved this one . . . a new favorite.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kathryn ~
DeleteFascinating characters for your fable. Actually, I was hoping you'd include a spork and maybe the odd set of chopsticks :-)
ReplyDeleteWouldn't say that she was the sharpest knife in the box, accepting her nature so docilely [ is that a word :-) ? ]
Spork or chopsticks, such fun, smiles ~ Yes, there is a word ~
DeleteCats n dogs, forks 'n' spoons, and yes, the scorpion and the frog: Our nature is complementary when it's not at war. You personified the elements so wonderfully, made landscape out of implements.
ReplyDeleteThanks Brendan, just a fun write, smiles ~
DeleteWhat fun
ReplyDeleteThanks Viv ~
Deleteoooh, I've never thought of cutlery in this way :) Absolutely love it!
ReplyDeleteI would rather be a knife, though, smiles ~
Deletenice...i really like your reimage of this with the spoon and the fork...the carving patience in her bosom was an early line that caught me...it is my nature...a hard thing to consider there in the end...our own natures...
ReplyDeleteYes, sometimes our real nature comes out, one way or the other ~
DeleteThanks Brian ~
The nature of everything, even a spoon and fork, can leave one screwed or spooned haha
ReplyDeleteFunny Pat ~ Have a good evening, smiles ~
DeleteThis gave me a wide smile- thank you! The dish ran away with the spoon... : )
ReplyDeleteHa, I almost forgot that ~ Thanks for the visit :-)
DeleteSo gracefully written ~ I love your fable ~ Happy Sunday, Grace!
ReplyDeleteSome people never change! They are as obnoxious as the next guy. One has to put up with it! Nicely Grace!
ReplyDeleteHank
this is the best drawer and utensil poem I've ever read. :)
ReplyDeleteGrace, this is fantastic. It reminds me of a sensual play on the kitchen scene in Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Love it ~
Wow!! It speaks of an unconditional love.
ReplyDeletewow!
ReplyDeletethat is way cool grace... not underestimating our own nature but also there is a certain attraction in the difference of the other
ReplyDeleteGrace, this is great :)
ReplyDeleteThe spoon is stupid to turn her back on a knife...no drawer smarts!
ReplyDeleteGreat story, Grace...excellent! Love the ending...we are what we are...best to accept it.
ReplyDeleteand here we have fables living themselves out under our very noses, every day. wonderful Grace. A really fun read.
ReplyDeletethis was an entrancing tale. you bring the nature of eating utensils to life so impressively. I will think twice the next time I stir my tea or twine spaghetti around my fork.
ReplyDeleteI may never look at a spoon and knife the same..smiling..
ReplyDeleteHow amazing this take on the fable is! I love the simple response from her and the contrasting nature of the two.
ReplyDeletebeautiful poetry!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful effect and personification here Grace - love it - smiles.
ReplyDeleteBravo Grace! I loved yours-so many wonderful lines!
ReplyDeleteJust goes to show life is never smooth
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic take on the fable-just fell in love with your take Grace :D
ReplyDeleteAh, lovely take on the prompt and the fable.
ReplyDeleteOh I love it, in so many ways!
ReplyDeleteSo delectably naughty ... :)
ReplyDeletepeace and love
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