Pecking Order

Verb – an eager, tail-wagging little word,
running wide-eyed between its bigger brothers;
words such as conjunctions, prepositions.
One of grammar’s doers, never content to lie
supine, always knowing that action
speaks louder than other words.

Pronouns are full of their own importance;
adjectives are pure decoration and nouns
are merely appellations. The sturdy verb,
though, moves mountains, spins the galaxies
in their endless courses and propels the heart
through the cannon-muzzle of emotion.

The verb is the jewel in grammar’s crown –
far superior to the common noun.

Copyright © Bill Fitzsimons 2009

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4 Responses to Pecking Order

  1. Terry Wassall says:

    Great poem Bill. I like the whole premise of the poem but I especially love “propels the heart through the cannon-muzzle of emotion” and the final rhyming couplet.

  2. Thank you, Terry – glad you like it.

    Cheers,
    Bill

  3. Myrna Moore says:

    Great poem Bill. Love how the figures of speech become metaphors and how the tools of poetry are personified.

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