
Everyday
feet pound
and scrape
I gather dust
and debris
see stolen kisses
hear secrets, become
accumlator of waste
then flogged
mercilessly
sometimes scrubbed
frayed edges
more frayed and edgy
next day; the same
am meant to be
trampled upon
lying silently
always an outlier.

Today’s challenge is to write a poem in the style of Kay Ryan, whose poems tend to be short and snappy – with a lot of rhyme and soundplay. They also have a deceptive simplicity about them, like proverbs or aphorisms. Once you’ve read a few, you’ll see what I mean. Here’s her “Token Loss,” “Blue China Doorknob,” “Houdini,” and “Crustacean Island.”
RDP SATURDAY: DOORMAT
P.S : The answer to yesterday’s riddle is tea.
Wonderful, Punam! Love this 💕🙂
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Thanks a lot, Harmony. ❤️😊
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Love this poem
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Thanks a lot!
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That poor doormat. But its job is priceless. Imagine. Thanks.
As for that answer. I see I see. You are amazing. It was a hard riddle.
Be well sweets. I bless you.
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Thanks, Selma!
I guess you are right…I should have given a direct hint.
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Ah! Thank you for your blessings. Mean a lot to me. ❤️
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Excellent poem Punam. I feel for the rug.
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Thanks, Sadje.
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You’re most welcome my dear sister
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‘I gather dust and debris’
How true for so many, and I don’t just mean doormats.
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Indeed, Jane. And I too didn’t just mean doormats. Thank you. 🙂
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I know. It was nicely done 🙂
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xoxo
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I like the double entendre in your poem.
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Gloria, thanks a lot.
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Beautiful!!
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Thanks a lot, Garima.
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I saw the title and my mind went in another direction. You steered me back to center with this wonderful description with an imbedded message of destiny!
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Thanks so much, Val.
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True our poor little doormat. No one wants it. A nice poem, Punam.
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Thanks, Kamal.
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Welcome dear Punam.
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The musicality and imagery and the truth of this
“I gather dust
and debris
see stolen kisses
hear secrets,”
is outstanding. Can be applied to so many, not just doormats.
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Thanks a lot, Arti. Indeed it can.
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I liked the personification of the doormat. Definitely an accumulator of all!
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Thanks a lot, Heather.
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Welcome!
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I like the way you turn us upside down. (K)
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Ah! Sometimes that becomes necessary.
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I loved the personification. So many interpretations.
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Thanks a lot, Sonia.
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oh those priceless mats … where would we be without them … nice one sis!
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Thanks, sis!
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Effective use of the senses. I like how you tie it up.
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Thanks, VJ. 😊
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My pleasure!
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Too many good phrases to choose a “fave” today 🙂
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Oh, you….❤️❤️
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Another riddle of sorts – well done, Punam!
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Thanks, Ingrid! In a way…❤️
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That’s intense and brilliant as always ♥️
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Saliha, thanks a lot, dear. ❤️
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Excellent piece, Punam. Doormats are not always a welcoming sign.
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True, Eugi! Thanks a lot.
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❤
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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🙏🏼❤️
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nicely done Punam!
💖
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Cindy, thanks a lot. ❤️
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you’re most welcome always! 💖
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The doormat speaks! Awesome write, Punam. ❤️
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Thanks a lot, Jeff. ❤️
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You’re welcome, Punam. ❤️
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Powerful imagery in doormat. I love this, dear. 💗💗
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Thanks a lot, Lamittan.
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Most welcome, my friend Punam. ❤
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So perfect and very true life story of a doormat, in ways I never thought of 🙂
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True, we hardly think of the doormat and so many times it is used derogatorily for women.
Thanks, dear. 🙂
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A great personification response to this prompt, Punam! ❤
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Thanks, Sunra.❤️ Eid Mubarak.
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Thank you, my dear! ❤ A belated Eid Mubarak to you too! 🙂
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Thank you and you are so welcome. ❤️😊
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