A Lot Of Tongue (poem) by Michael D. Schafer on AuthorsDen

A Lot Of Tongue
by Michael D. Schafer → (All Poetry by Michael D. Schafer)
Sunday, November 12, 2017 Rated "G" by the Author.

Save

Follow Share on Facebook

Lick away.
A LOT OF TONGUE It takes a lot of tongue to talk, It’s needed to speak. But don’t speak with a forked tongue, Let’s keep it tongue in cheek. If your tongue gets in the way of your eyeteeth, You can’t see what you’re saying. If your tongue gets you in trouble. There’s a price you’ll be paying. A slip of the tongue is a minor mistake. Shy people can get tongue-tied. A sharp tongue cuts like a knife, And bite your tongue if you’ve lied. If it’s on the tip of your tongue, The words won’t come out. A silver tongued devil is a smooth talker, Who has no need to shout. If you like to gossip, You’ll cause tongues to wag. When you get a good tongue-lashing, It can be a real drag. You can hold your tongue, To be civil and kind, Or stick your tongue out, If you’re disdainfully inclined Words can roll off of your tongue, And tongue-twisters are fun to try. But before the cat gets my tongue, I’ll close my mouth and say goodbye. Michael D. Schafer © November 9, 2017

Reviewed by John Domino

Reviewed on November 13, 2017

Well done! I am a History buff and forked-tongue origin got my curiosity. Here is what I found out:

In the longstanding tradition of many Native American tribes, "speaking with a forked tongue" has meant lying, and a person was no longer considered worthy of trust, once he had been shown to "speak with a forked tongue". This phrase was also adopted by Americans around the time of the Revolution, and may be found in abundant references from the early 19th century � often reporting on American officers who sought to convince the tribal leaders with whom they negotiated that they "spoke with a straight and not with a forked tongue" (as for example, President Andrew Jackson told the Creek Nation in 1829[16]). According to one 1859 account, the native proverb that the "white man spoke with a forked tongue" originated as a result of the French tactic of the 1690s, in their war with the Iroquois, of inviting their enemies to attend a Peace Conference, only to be slaughtered or captured.[17]

So the Indians had a lot more to say than, "How!"

It's amazing that our American Indian heritage survived at all.

Just saying....

Reviewed by Jane Noponen Perinacci

The tongue of my shoe just curled up!!!

Love ya!

Jane

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

You sure tongued that sucker to death! The only thing you didn't do was speak in tongues! ;-)

Ron

Reviewed by Jerry Bolton

My tongue started to speak
But I closed my mouth
Sometimes my tongue is awry
Best to walk on down the road

Reviewed by Budd Nelson

oh come on now, I was enjoying all this tongue technique

Reviewed by Mystic Rose

lol, you got the recipe right Michael, I say keep your tongue knotted in a pretzel and unloose it only if you got something worth saying, sweet , you always make my day, have a good one, full of ray,

Reviewed by John Herlihy

You have covered all the bases
just about all but one
you have neglected to even mention
your beloved Mother Tongue.

Reviewed by Ed Matlack

Reviewed on November 12, 2017

You do so well speak with forked tongue,
Spouting always to all of us with your crazily funny dung...-e-

Reviewed by Susanne Leist

Is that the same cat that gets killed by its curiosity?