The common man wipes his feet on it, a floor mat in his home
Woven into a bowel where his wife's fruit does sit, an inverted grass dome
Framing a memory that hangs on the wall, it is the bed of the poor
Feeds the cattle in the stall, thatches the roof above the door
A man created for argument sake, another to scare off the crows
Packing in a crate so things won't brake, a broom to brush lint off clothes
Worthless, a common thing, from the vineyard a basket grapes it does hold
Words together anyone can string, but only a poet spins straw into gold
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Author:
sorenbarrett (
Offline) - Published: October 23rd, 2026 03:12
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 70
- Users favorite of this poem: soheil khodaparasti, Paul Bell, Friendship, Tristan Robert Lange, Teddy.15, apete90
- In collections: Poetry/art.
Offline)
Comments13
The poem beautifully explores how ordinary materials, such as straw or grass, can serve countless purposes in everyday life. Through vivid images and practical uses, it highlights the contrast between the seemingly worthless and the meaningful. The final lines express the poem’s central message: anyone can put words together, but only a poet can transform the ordinary into something extraordinary through imagination and creativity.
Thank you Soheil for your read and interpretation. Yes you are right today it seems few give much value to one that can weave words or straw. Baskets are cheap to by and if you have ever tried to sell a poem, even a nicely crafted one, you will not get much for it even if you are lucky enough to find a buyer. I appreciate you my friend.
You are welcome, my dear friend. It is true that the true value of poetry and the art of weaving words cannot always be measured in monetary terms. Though the world may not always reward such gifts as they deserve, the beauty, wisdom, and emotion they carry remain priceless to those who can truly appreciate them. I believe that words written from the heart always find their own value, even when they do not find a market. I sincerely appreciate you, your kindness, and the depth of your thoughts. It is a pleasure to share these reflections with you, my friend.
we so often overlook the importance of things my friend
What you say is so true Norman your read and comment are deeply appreciated as is your support
always most welcome, a fine write
Good write SB. ahh. I will put KP in the field to scare off the crows - scare off anything and anyone, in fact! lol.
Thanks Orchi for the review my friend. I don't think those straw men scare off much I have seen them eating crow with others sitting on their shoulders.
How exacting the demands of these golden words can be sometime !
I bear the mark of their lash. Thanks for the read my friend
We sure are a throwaway society, everything is replacable. Amazon agrees counting the profits.
I'm sure the poet loves the scraps, and tries to put them back together, maybe with flaws, but that's okay.
Thanks so much Paul for the read and comment. Yes there is little value seen in anything used now days the same with a poet's words
Well written. Your poem explores themes of creativity, the value of ordinary life, and the unique ability of poets to elevate simple experiences into art. You emphasize how common materials and experiences, like a floor mat or a basket, have intrinsic worth and can be reimagined through language.
Thank you Friendship for your interpretation of this piece. Although all these things made of straw are as you say common and ordinary they do have as noted worth as you noted do words. It takes a craftsman to make them so as you said. I appreciate your unraveling of this my friend
You're very welcome, my friend, and I appreciate you taking the time to read my comment on your poem. Have a good weekend
And any other way won’t do, it seems. A very exacting transaction as ever. Most thoroughly enjoyed dear friend 🙏🏻🕊️
Thank you Cryptic for the read and your kind words they are as always appreciated
I really like the metaphor of the line “only a poet spins straw into gold.” The way I see it, the straw represents the simple ideas and the gold represents the meaningful parts and when spinning the straw it represents transforming ordinary language into something extraordinary through creativity. Nicely done poem :))
That is a wonderful take and I would concur. Thank you for seeing this. Straw a common substance takes a craftsman to turn into something useful just as words a common substance takes a craftsman to turn into a piece of art.
Soren, I love coming across a poem that makes me want to get back to writing. This has me itching to open my notebook. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Thanks so much Tristan I am glad you feel like writing there is nothing more rewarding than helping someone want to write.
A fine Poem . Hoping for Eternal Gold.
Thank you Kevin for the read and I hope for gold as well but to find it often have to dig through a lot of junk, some rock and once in a while a bit of silver.
You Summed it up Perfectly. 👍
The normality in life will always be there soren.
Andy
Thank you Andy for the review normal is what gives life a sense of control and grounding.
Stunning my dear sorrenbarret, and that you do everything🥇
Thank you very much Teddy I appreciate your reads and support
I meant to say every time
Understood
Truly - your last line says it all- only poets spin straw into gold💅👌
Thank you Nafisa for the read and comment it means alot
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