Tongues Up Close
What does the tongue know?
It secrets the air and tastes: hesitation,
the shock of the unexpected bite. It hides
in the mouth and helps swallow
hope back, and anger—the big words.
A tongue is also a word for a language—
a meat, a flickering flame, a land.
How satisfying, the snap
of a tongue-in-groove joining together;
how annoying, the crumpled-up
tongue of your shoe.
Human tongues have what they call
an intrinsic muscle that lets them tube
or cloverleaf into the shape of words.
I love you. Kumquat. Spreadsheet.
Small red heart against white bars.
Small red heart: expressing— impressing—
29 thoughts on "Tongues Up Close"
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I like any poem where I learn things, I think it was John Hayes that wrote that line in an essay.
“Intrinsic muscle” !!!! Love it.
Anyway my favorite is the second stanza, such opposites but then it makes me think of that painting of the floor scrapers. Nice.
Thank you Coleman! I’m gonna have to read that essay!
“secrets the air and tastes….” grabber, there
Thank you Manny!
You really showed how anything can become an expression of love. The clever exploration of all the different ‘tongues’ leading into that sweet, quirky ending (‘I love you. Kumquat. Spreadsheet.’) is wonderful.
Thank you Jeremy! I heard a documentary about different animal tongues and it became this lol
Ooh, I love this one! Especially the use of “secrets” as a verb and “small red heart against white bars.”
Thank you Chelsie!
enjoyed the different tone and fresh perspective of this poem with its playful title
Thank you, Gaby! I appreciate your comments!
This is a great read. You help us see the boundless exploration of the “tongue”. Outstanding!
Thank you so much, H.A.!
i try to appreciate my tongue everyday
but often lose sight of it,
thanks, Shaun,
for bringing it back into view
I was feeling very aware of mine today!
That’s a great ending!
Thank you Arwen!!
Beautiful and imaginative, Shaun.
I agree re kumquat, although when I say it I always look around to see who’s smirking. 😏
It’s just one of those words–like a certain gaseous planet–you have to say it just right
It was impossible for me not to read this as a companion piece for James’ words about the tongue.
“a meat, a flickering flame, a land.”
the back and forth between concrete and metaphor throughout, but especially here….from concrete, to multiple connotation metaphor, to the wholly unexpected….is masterful. And I am stuck thinking about that last. Maybe because of where I am as I sit down to your piece, but…our tongues can literally form the reality where we knowingly or sometimes unknowingly choose to live.
Sigh. You remain one of “prophets” to my heart herein, Shaun. Every year.
Thank you for making that connection to James, Joseph, and for your generous and thoughtful reading. I am left thinking too about your interpretation!
To read this poem aloud releases its playful, rhythmic vitality: “ Small red heart: expressing— impressing—”. Expressive, impressive piece you’ve written, Shaun
Thank you! I’m glad it was a fun read for you!
Creative and informative.
To borrow your word I so love to see “Shew!” to “It secrets the air and tastes”
say not see….
Thank you very much Pam! I like to say and see it too!
So much enjoyment in reading your words this year. Is the : a new addition? Love the incorporation.
Thank you Sylvia! I do really enjoy a : right now 😆
“Small red heart against white bars” is very cool.
Thank you Austen!