Today, I’d like to challenge you to write a poem that “talks.” Try to write a poem grounded in language as it is spoken – not necessarily the grand, dramatic speech of a monologue or play, but the messy, fractured, slangy way people speak in real life.
‘Oh, hi there, Jan, howzit with you?’
‘I’m good; I’m good; hope you are, too?’
‘Ja, I am good; and how the kids?’
‘Man, all they do is look at vids,
Or mess with tablets all day long;
I reckon too much time is wrong,
The way they spends it at their screens,
And never see no outdoor scenes.’
‘You said it; mine do too; those girls
Forever in their texting whirls,
But never nothing have to say,
With conversation stuff each day:
Man, how they all right through me stare
I might as well jus’ not be there;
I needs to be with them some more . . .
But have you heard the latest score?’
‘Ja: last I heard old what’s-his-name
Had scored again, looks like the game
Is gonna end up pretty tight,
So, if we both leave now, we might
Get home in time to watch the end.’
‘Yes, cheers; nice talking to you, friend!

Another Saturday, another flea market, and Rhiannon and I gained these two pogo sticks for R20 ($1.42) each.
I’ll be looking forward to a poem about those nifty pogo sticks! 🙂
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Sounds like a couple of boozers at my local pub
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Slightly different vernacular; same profoundly intellectual content!
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Well writ. 🙂
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Thank’ee kindly!
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Pogo sticks, now that’s a blast from my past!
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Mine too! 😀
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I never had the opportunity to enjoy them as a child. I only saw them in comics, where they filled me with deep envy.
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Me too, I waited until my children had them, I was hopeless but it was great fun. I wish I still had the ability to do all those daft things I used to do. Still capable of daft things, Just not the daft physical ones!
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Well, before my recent operation I tried one for the first time and am hoping to get back to it! I’ve been told I’ve always been full of bounce!
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I’m sure you have Les!
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cute lines.
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Thanks; and typical, I assure you!
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Eish man! Wat die dickens yo gonna do with them smaaklik pogo sticks? Sjoe, I can just imagine you two okes bouncing down the street on them things. Don’t forget to stop at the red robot or you might end up with an eina.
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Eina indeed! It is clear you haven’t been clear of the place for long enough!
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Haha…….one has to remember the lingo for return visits. 😀
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Yebo, tog!
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👏🏻
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So have you tried out the pogo sticks?
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I have bounced on them, but not fully as that would be against current medical advice!
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Yup . . . adults complain about their kids but I can seldom talk to adults about birds, lakes, waves, and scenery because they’re most interested in sports, politics, and their own toys.
. . . or they love to complain about their health.
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So true! Perhaps the men expect their daughters to develop a passionate interest in rugby or football or cricket!
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