Q5: How to Take the Hiss Out of a Snake

HOW TO TAKE THE HISS OUT OF A SNAKE

Rain.
It spills
on the window,
cursive writing
like hands knotted
that remember
things I’ve always
wanted to do.

I once worked on an assembly line making flat-pack strawberry boxes. I just wanted someone to talk to while the boys were at school. But talking was forbidden, except during break.

The moon.
The stars.
There’s the Dipper.
Orion’s Belt.
The Horse.
And that one I think
is an aeroplane.

I once rode a horse. Once. Only. Slid off the saddle as the horse took off trotting. I bounced and rattled like an old dried gourd. What complete nonsense: if you fall off, get straight back on.

These older days
darkness of detail,
treacherous stairs,
and watery eyes.
Wood pigeon’s cooing,
or is it a baby’s cry.

A woman once asked me, what do you do all day. I test recipes before they’re published in cookery books, I said. But there is one thing I’ve always wanted to do. I wish I had a Leith’s professional chef qualification.

Or maybe something useless, like how to take the hiss out of a snake.


Written for Miz Quickly’s Day 5 Bloganuary. #bloganuary ©Misky 2022 Shared with #amwriting #apoemaday on Twitter

9 responses to “Q5: How to Take the Hiss Out of a Snake”

  1. I love the poem, prose, poem format of this. Is there a word for it? The way you round this lovely post off is brilliant. I was laughing aloud, thinking about a snake saying to you,”Are you taking the hiss?”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. A word for it? Muddled. Untidy. Disordered. Demented 😂 Yes, I like that one. Glad you like it. 🥰

      Liked by 2 people

      1. It was lovely. The little poems interspersed with tasty snippets of biography. You could have started something! 😊

        Liked by 2 people

  2. I once rode a horse. Once. I was about 11. Because I was one of the largest of the children, I got allocated one of the largest horses. It was in control. When it wanted to walk, it walked. To wherever it fancied walking to. If it felt hungry, it stopped to eat. Sod that. I got off the thing as soon as I could and never went near a horse again.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Quite right. 😄

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Great piece, Misky. Really great. In fact in the 3 or 4 days that I haven’t had time to look at my blog, you’ve really been on fire!! But I can’t agree with you and Mister Bump on horses. I used to hate broccoli but now I love it. Wouldn’t know that if I never tried it again. 🙂 Not that I’m biased. Horses are just amazing creatures. Scary at times but amazing. Like the animal version of thunderstorms.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The Miz is inspiring. Yes, a thunderstorm. Very appropriate. Lightning hit a house just down the street from me years ago, and it blew the roof clear off and into the neighbours garden. Strewn about various bits and pieces. When I hear thunder, my first thought isn’t to ride it. 😂😂

      Liked by 1 person

  4. This is wonderful.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, b. ❤️

      Like

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