Never Liver
I want tender stir-fried onions
but if there’s a diced raw Vidalia
in my salad I will pluck every piece out.
If you are a fan of Billy Joel you can find
communion but it won’t be with me.
Stevie Wonder rules all the way.
I’m more lover than hater,
but I have a list & I’m proud.
No convertibles or hazelnut coffee.
Never liver & I hate a popsicle
on a wooden stick. But I am
awestruck before a mouthful
of shrimp linguine with extra garlic,
or when a red grape
has a tight crunch.
I hate endings. You can cross
off dressy funerals, replace
with the steps of a newborn foal.
Many worship the sunset,
its terracotta hues. I prefer
the pale eyeshadow of sunrise.
34 thoughts on "Never Liver"
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Your contrarian poem is hot shit. I prefer it!
This made me laugh out. Thanks Manny.
No lies told!
This is an incredible poem.
Title carried through top to bottom and ended with a beginning.
❤️ this.
I really liked the “pale eyeshadow of sunrise” line, and I feel the same way about grapes
Also, it vaguely reminded me of a list poem I love: https://www.szymborska.org.pl/en/wislawa/selected-poems/possibilities/
A friend of Szymborska is a friend of mine!
Except Szymborska’s poem is friggin’ symphony and mine is a little dirty.
A dirty ditty
Thanks for commenting. I’ve really enjoyed your poems this month!
This is for saltmeridan
Thank you, that means a lot! 🤍
A fine and revealing list. Favorites are the newborn foal and that “pale eyeshadow of sunrise.” Oh, my but wonderful.
The rhythm you create for us has us dancing with you all the way to the last line.
like the tight crunch of a red grape and the shrimp linquini with extra garlic; good ending
we’re both writing tender today
after much discussion about liver the other night
the entire poem is delicious
I love the way you dance through your poems!
I need to find some new words besides fabulous, but for the moment, fabulous will have to do.
My favorite poem of yours this month, which is saying something. I remember you taught a class once called “Writing the Sassy Poem.” This poem shows you knew your stuff 😏
I’m more lover than hater,
but I have a list & I’m proud.
Same LOL
Haha! Don’t we all have a list?
The rhythms and tone of selfunderstanding and acceptance drive the poem and it shines with that undeniable perspective that makes your work so special
Unapologetic Individualistic woman!
(This poem is real, yes?)
Love, “the pale eyeshadow of sunrise.”
Absolutely!
😊
Love this, Linda, and especially how you tie the list together at the end.
I love the juxtaposition of funeral with steps of a newborn foal.
Agree very much about the onions and the newborn foal! This is a great idea and well executed!
Stories I made up for my children always ended with the villains having to eat “cold lumpy oatmeal and liver.” I think they might make your hate list. great poem
This is my favorite poem of yours so far this month, but all of them are stunning. This is so playful and rhythmic, so tight.
My favorite parts were:
But I am
awestruck before a mouthful
of shrimp linguine with extra garlic,
or when a red grape
has a tight crunch.
I hate endings. You can cross
off dressy funerals, replace
with the steps of a newborn foal.
That last stanza took my head off. The title made me laugh,
and this poem has a “tight crunch” like a red grape.
Love this list and Manny’s comment, we all have our Preferences!
You had me at Stevie Wonder (!) and from there on I read this with a broad smile—I just marvel at this poem..and I share in your disdain for wooden popcycle sticks —- thanks for all you express here in the way you do!!!
Most people don’t get that part. We are soulmates!
Masterfully written, Linda! “You can cross
off dressy funerals, replace/with the steps of a newborn foal” says so much, and the last stanza was a painting.
A creative idea, which your personal images connect with the reader–no matter what he/she likes!
Love the chutzpah here–it’s de gustibus, we don’t have to agree–and the tensions between love and hate. And the different verbs for claiming (cross off, awestruck, worship, etc.).