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The Last Spoon

A silver fish eye in the sink.
A teaspoon, staring.

Steam curls from a cup.
A sodden bag slumps in a saucer.
A clatter. A spill.
Dark tea, dark thoughts.

Strong, sweet tea.
The cure all for grief. The answer to nothing.

And still
the spoon stares.

About This Poem

Last Few Words: I'm in my Duffy frame of mind. I don't know if this works as I intended, but it's worth a try :)

Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Editing Stage: Editing - rough draft

About the Author

Country/Region: United Kingdom

Favorite Poets: Margaret Atwood is one of my favourite writers. Carol Ann Duffy, Philip Larkin, Ted Hughes, Wendy Cope and more.

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Comments

Unca Fez

Unca Fez

4 months 1 week ago

The First Line...

The first line grabbed me immediately. I can picture it staring up at me from the sink. I'm not a big fan of tea. I'm a strong, black coffee person and it's not something I do for stress relief. I prefer a good porter or stout for that.

What's not mentioned, leaving it to the reader to fill in is: What question is the spoon asking by staring so?

Nicely done!

Ruby Lord

Ruby Lord

4 months 1 week ago

Hi Steve, thank you for

Hi Steve, thank you for reading and commenting. I hope you are well and you and Cat are looking after each other.
In England, there's an old thing where people say have a cup of tea and everything will be fine. I suppose it's just one of those strange British things?
Take care and thank you for stopping by. Ruby xx

Unca Fez

Unca Fez

4 months 1 week ago

Looks Like I Missed The Mark

Looks like I missed the mark with my comment. I apologize for being so obtuse. I failed to recognize that having a cup of tea is much more than drinking tea. It's the ritual: boiling the water, getting the cup and saucer, putting the teabag in the cup, pouring the water, letting it steep, squeezing the tea from the teabag. It is familiar and calming. But, in this case, "the spoon still stares". Following this train of thought, I discovered the real question: What now? The ritual didn't help.

The only thing that comes to mind as a surrogate for the tea ritual is lighting a cigarette. I didn't really discover this until I quit smoking and the physical addiction had passed.

In any case, I'm thankful that your reply made me re-think your poem. It is much better than I gave it credit, originally. Very well done.

Ruby Lord

Ruby Lord

4 months 1 week ago

Hi Steve, no problem. Poetry

Hi Steve, no problem. Poetry isn't a one size fits all. Poems are capable of touching us in individual ways. What we put into them is not necessarily related to what the reader gets out of the poem. I'm glad you read something particular to you. For me this scene has been played out so many times. Take care, Ruby xx

Candlewitch

Candlewitch

4 months 1 week ago

Sweet Ruby...

You have put me in the "Way-Back-Machine" to the Kinks song, Have A Cuppa Tea! those were the days! I understood the feelings of this poem and wish I were there to bring the Bickies for a sit down and lovely chat with you!

very fondly, Cat

Ruby Lord

Ruby Lord

4 months 1 week ago

Hi Cat, thank you for reading

Hi Cat, thank you for reading and commenting. The Kinks. One of the greatest bands to come out of England, love them. Catch up soon. I'll put the kettle on :) Ruby xx

Rula

Rula

4 months 1 week ago

A piece

that shines with the author's passion for the cup of tea.
Absolutely worth the try.
Count me in.
Thank you for sharing dear!

Mary Derringer

Mary Derringer

4 months 1 week ago

The last spoon

Ruby, I read your poem and could visualize all the words. This is the way I want to put my words to my poem. I enjoyed your poem.

Ruby Lord

Ruby Lord

4 months 1 week ago

Hi Mary, thank you for your

Hi Mary, thank you for your read and commenting. I'm sure with your artistic background you can achieve this. If you need any hints or tips, please ask. Ruby xx