"Pain" is that thing we pass round

[John Wertz]

"Pain" is that thing we pass round
After Emily Dickenson — "Hope" is the thing with feathers

Pain is that thing we pass round
The table, warm and brown,
Not so much made as found,
Our potatoes to drown,

With solicitous hands and lips,
In something called a boat,
Accomp'nying assorted quips,
And table talk and gloat;

Still glazes the plate after
All's eaten and all's said;
Then with embarrassed laughter,
Sopped with a bit of bread.

[RhymeLovingWriter]

Oh I like this very much John! Lovely adaption and the ending 'with embarrassed laughter, sopped with a bit of bread' is perfect for many family Sunday dinners I've witnessed! Very nicely done!

[John Wertz]

Thanks, RLW. Yes, so much get clarified around the table.

[lunar glide]

I love the ending 😄

[John Wertz]

Thanks much, Lunar Glide

[AlexandratheLate]

Great one John - loose lips sink ships - what came to my mind.

[John Wertz]

A nice little WWII rhyme.

[graydon archer]

Nothing like sopped up gravy John! Loved it!

[John Wertz]

Good Gravy!

[DWAYNE]

It certainly is that thing we pass around.

[John Wertz]

And "what goes around, comes around." Don't you hate it when someone says that?

[grant hayes]

What an unexpected and skilfully handled metaphor, John. The rhyme and meter have such a wry, easy feel: this is such a joy to dine on. I salute!!

[John Wertz]

Thanks much. I liked working with the idea, but for me it fell short against the Emily Dickinson piece.

[Guest]

Well done, would not like to be at that table! Fantastic as always

[John Wertz]

Me neither, But don't we sometimes work each other over more or less unintentionally?

[MHenry]

Clever and engaging, John. I will never look at a gravy boat in quite the same way!

[John Wertz]

Thanks MHenry.