Comments on: Ode to Tin Snips

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:45:40 +0000

Thanks, all.

sarah b – “makes me feel like I’m back in first grade” – I agree. They’re pretty much designed for hack jobs, though, that’s the thing.

Joan – Those are great stories; thanks. Interesting that both involve children, given Sarah’s observation.

I’d love a plaque like that – it’s so much more poetic than “home sweet home”!

By: Joan

Joan — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:58:00 +0000

Two images from the poem of snips with an overbite came to me. “Codex from the Aluminum Age “—One long ago Mother’s day my cub scout actually gave me words laboriously cut from aluminum cans nailed to a wooden plaque. It said ‘Home Oh Home’. For years I worried that our home was not sweet enough. I finally asked him. He said “Mom, there wasn’t enough room on the plaque!”.

The second was farther back when I and a 12 year old pal not realizing they were not hedge clippers “borrowed” my father’s tin snips to trim our way into a heavily vined alcove in a nearby cliff. Dad was not pleased, although I failed to see how shrubbery could “ruin” something meant for metal. Anyway, grindstone to the rescue where “A gleaming new moon would rise from century-old rust.”. (and some pollen)

By: sarah b

sarah b — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 10:27:19 +0000

I laughed out loud at “the aluminum age.” I HATE using tinsnips – always injure myself and always do a bad job cutting – makes me feel like I’m back in first grade.

By: dale

dale — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 23:35:42 +0000

Oh, this is terrific! My favorite. Except for the other ones I’ve designated my favorites. Or maybe not even them. “Some lost codex from the aluminum age” — !!!!!

By: Dick

Dick — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 21:08:56 +0000

Another fine addition to the list. There’s a chapbook in the making here.

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 19:17:06 +0000

Thanks, lissa and marja-leena. The weird thing is I actually ended up using tin snips this afternoon. It wasn’t the poem’s influence; they were the only possible tool for the job (removing some old gutters from a high roof).

By: marja-leena

marja-leena — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:38:04 +0000

Wow – love this!

By: lissa

lissa — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:00:40 +0000

Most of us learn early how to compensate… wonderful, powerful ending.