How to Turn an Idiosyncrasy into a Story
My mother was always pulling up my
socks. Get on with the job, she’d say.
She could’ve run a swank Swiss hotel,
flicked sheets across the bed with
a single smooth backhand stroke.
I didn’t inherit that skill from her.
And she had blisters on her hands
from digging overly ripe compost
into her vegetable garden. Those
blisters popped and bled, but
no one ever heard her complain.
I didn’t inherit toughness
from her either.
My mother kept a well-oiled, red
Swiss Army knife in the junk drawer.
My sister inherited that.
And when my mum just sat idle,
she’d rub her thumb against the
inside of her index finger.
I inherited that from my mother.
For The Poeming Found Poetry Challenge
written for AprilPAD Day 15, (blank) Story, and Napowrimo: Habits you picked up from your parents, and “The Poeming” found poetry challenge. Image from Unsplash. CC:00 and
and shared with @Experimentsinfc #APoemADay on Twitter © Misky 2021
It's Still Life 
8 responses to “Day 15 NaPoWriMo 2021”
So far, not an April day has gone by on which you haven’t totally blown me away with these works, Misky. I’d give anything to be that consistent. And a well-deserved NaPo shout out! Awesome portrait of your mother. Write on!
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You are every writer’s dream. 😁
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It’s strange the things we inherit from our parents. What’s even stranger is seeing what traits your kids have inherited from you and their father. I think I’ve inherited some of the best and the worst from each. On the Bosch picture, that thing does look like a flower vase!
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So true. My sister inherited my mum’s double jointed thumb, but I didn’t. Strangely, it was at my mum’s funeral that my aunt noticed that I do this same gesture as Mum did. I never noticed.
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Beautiful ✨
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Thank you very much!
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What a beautiful poem. Loved the way you brought out the habit you picked up from your mom. My mom had a red swiss knife too which she kept in her handbag. I inherited that. Congratulations on being featured.
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Thank you. Glad to you enjoyed reading it.
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