Between

Don’t recall seeing anyone
with their ear pressed up to it.
I’d have gathered the missus and little ones,
to see that and perhaps make a day of it.

If they had, they might have heard
our scurries and our scratches
as we go about our business on one side or another
but mostly inside (that’s our side).

Each side isn’t bad, as sides goes.
I guess I’d like a bit more sun on one side
and it’d be nice to find the leaves the missus likes,
(the lovely spotted ones with the scrumptious sap)
when I’m about my business on the other.

Of course, I’d be happy to tell anyone
if they’re going from one side to the other,
about the good things to find,
the best places to see.

No one ever asks me though.
They all have that look
like they’ve made up their mind
about what’s on the other side of the wall.

So I’ll just drink my tea,
share some leaves with the missus,
and play with the little ones

while I watch them go on their way. 

Worm from the movie Labyrinth 



This poem was inspired by the prompt given over at Imaginary Gardens With Real Toads: Walls. I had written something from the perspective of this little guy before, but the prompt reminded me of the walls of the labyrinth from the movie of the same name, and I felt I wanted to revisit something from his point of view again.

26 comments:

  1. Wooot!!❤️ I love, love the spunk in this!!❤️

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  2. Sounds fun or funny, but so true - So what are we to do...
    ...scoot over. Pass the tea.

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    1. And I always have very good tea for every occasion.

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  3. Really charming - and I really like the thinly veiled political line:
    "...They all have that look
    like they’ve made up their mind
    about what’s on the other side of the wall."

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    1. MARGARET FOR THE WIN!

      LOL, yes, that was exactly what I was going for. I was trying to present that idea with the most innocent eyes (using this image from a well-loved children's film) and show how even from that perspective, pre-judgement (and by extension, it's closely related word cousin, prejudice) seems like strange waste of time.

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  4. I don't remember that much of the movie, but I read this as Inside and Outside the walls of a home, those two realities, the way a nuclear group spends time in both worlds but always comes home.

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    1. That is an interesting perspective, and yes, I do see how that aspect fits into the piece.

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  5. Ohhh, interesting! I was actually imagining the mice from the children's book Frederick (by Leo Leonni), and then Stuart Little... and then I saw your photo. How fun!

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    1. There was definitely a child-like feel I was going for in this, so the fact that you thought of children's books was perfect.

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  6. I love the narrative voice and the way you described the wall without mentioning it.

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    1. Thanks Kerry. The decision to mention the wall only once was a conscious one. I wanted it not to seem like a dividing line from the point of view of the protagonist, but merely part of his everyday world. He recognizes the other views people have, but they seem odd to him.

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  7. If you are small enough you don't need a big wall to be locked in... love the perspective

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  8. seems like many have made their minds up already ~

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  9. like they’ve made up their mind
    about what’s on the other side of the wall

    That perhaps is the downside of having obstacles put in place. Many do not bother to get involved and would rather avoid them.

    Hank

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    1. True. Surmounting or going around one requires effort.

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  10. It is sad so many have already decided on the view or the desire to not see the other side of a wall.. Great writing!

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    1. It is. I would hope some would at least be open to having their minds changed eventually.

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  11. People can be quite clueless when it comes to asking those who have the information (to those who have been there... and remember). Things would be so much better if we spoke to each other... and listen.

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