the past tense of can
is did
or didn't
& reason matters little
in the moment
until
on aisle two
among the soups, you
realize,
your finger gliding
down a Campbell's label,
tracing the ridge
of every firm rib,
you could've.
written for Magpie Tales.
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113 comments:
First first with my burst
Well, I'll be second.
I wonder what flavour soup you chose?
Maggie X
Nuts in May
Hmmm the could have beens with soup
That was an interesting take on that loop
Liked the can past tense too
As it is all so true
So may as well be part of the do
Then regret the didn't at your zoo
Very thought-provoking... somehow reminds me of The Little Engine That Could...
Very clever! Just sooouper (wink).
Campbell's Tomato has always been one of my comfort foods. My mama always served it with Ritz crackers when we were little, and sick.
Your post is...interesting.
Cheryl
I love how you chose to use the wordplay/conjugation of an object in the prompt... that's the kind of creativity I enjoy reading.
Oh this is perfect!! Could've but we didn't. Dammit! Well at least we are still here to eat the soup, while poor Andy can't enjoy the gazillions his "efforts" spawned!
Brian. Just stopping by. First-time visitor from Cleveland, OH. Noticed that we follow a lot of the same blogs. Saw a comment you made on Otin's blog and decided to click-through.
Interesting post. I plan to visit more often.
Those first lines are freaking brilliant!
Great way of saying it, yes we can! A can, that is!
Hank
Simple yet creative take on "can" ~
I like this ~
Happy Sunday ~
I did have a can of Campbell's tomato for lunch. No grilled cheese, but it was as satisfying as a job well done. :)
That was fun Brian. And it took me a minute to get as well. A wicked play on words here.
still you can...later...smiles..a finely crafted write sir..smiles
loved this....whether you did or didn't... absolutely delicious and spicy!!
Always so fun to read your stuff. I had an idea of where this was going (picture is a major clue) but still just loved it. Thanks for your visits and encouragement.
It's amazing what soup can do.
Tell me I didn't actually just type that.
Ooooo... Now, I never did see a can as interesting as the one you described before ;)
Hi! Brian...
"the past tense of can
is did or didn't"
What a very interesting poem, which is [very] well-written...questioning what one should have..."did" or "didn't
and..."you could've."
Nice prompt to go along with your poetic words...too!
Tks, for sharing!
deedee ;-D
I love my Campbell Soup. Always have, always will.
Like the way you take cliche and turn it on its head here, and give a nice flip and twist to the little pancake of meaning you mixed up--or should that be grilled cheese sandwich--goes better with soup.
can I or can I not- He didnt ask that question- he just did... brilliant Brian!
Wonderful! Love the despondency you can see in the photo that you found words for, too.
done...where as "did" could have been, but alas; no
there's booze and towels ...
clean up on aisle 3
Peace ☮
It's all in the choosing......
We never regret the one we picked....only the one we didn't........
;)
(Tell your Aunt & Uncle to meet me with soup at the corner of Tulip & Main when the zombies come. Bring cash.)
:D
Love this...I haven't even written one yet..I guess taking too long running my finger down the label :)
as usual a cool write ...thank you x x
Great -very clever response to the prompt!
Excellent poem about this famous soup. Greetings.
PS, Yes, a hair clip.
The tomato that got away.... did she have a nice can?...... I think you should've!
Now... back to the grocery list... =D Thanks, Brian.
perfect title.
love visiting,
always.
keep well. and writing.
Oh, nice. really like the idea of past tense of can, twisted into the literal can there with the labels and all stacked atop each other in the supermarket aisle. Love the in and out nature of metaphor of one kind to reality to metaphor of another kind. Really nice write. Thanks
Some things can be so simple, but yet so profound. Thank you for reminding us. "the past tense of can is did or didn't".
Love where you took it....
Yes--well, to me this was also very Warholesque--wonderful. (I love that about modern art--all the people that say they could do that--ha! But don't, didn't, and, well, can't perhaps.) K.
This poem tweeks memory for me...when I was a kid I ate only Campbell soup to my mother's chagrin!! Now I would 'die' for some of her homemade soup.
Hello Brian,
It is amazing to see how you twist words and make us think and exercise our brain. Very interesting.
Best wishes,
Joseph
nice!! gloria
I concur - very thought provoking indeed.
Regret is a horrible cloud over one's life. There are times I have tried and failed, but still felt victorious or, at least, at peace.
Could have can become a 'can'....nice.
Seriously love this. Probably because you've touched a nerve, perfectly.
There's a curious edge between can't can and won't and the critters that live there fidget a bit. Sometimes they believe they won't and say they can't or say they can when they really can't or say they can knowing or not they really won't and on and onandon. It's a place where honesty is fuzzy at the best of times. Better to not visit. Sometimes you get stuck for a while.
Haha
i do adore the way you write.
it's breathtaking. even over the simplest things.
Campbell soup, an excellent painting and poem material
Yes. Isn't amazing how ofen that occurs?
Thank the lord you didn't say 'could of' as so many ignoramuses do! LOL
Is that really him in the photo?
Do you think that he looked at a can of soup with such longing?... that he bought and ate them, finding just the right one that satisfied him... and then had his epiphany?
Campbells should have made a soup in his honor.
I really like this poem.
tracing the ridge
of every firm rib,
you could've
Can't get much better than that!
There's always this 'feel-good' feeling, reading from you. :)
Now I am busy trying to find which one to buy...fingering each label...such a plethora of choices. And a can of soup can take us in so many directions, You went on a few yourself. Dinner....lunch...meal of the week. So many stories!!
Hugs
SueAnn
I could have, as well. Sorry... smiles...I'm useless without my computer.
Don't know as I stand there my finger poised on a can rib I might've.
you never cease to amaze
Rather thought provoking for a Monday morning!
the past tense of can is did or didn't...brilliant where do you come up with this stuff
Emotion belongs to the moment...but reason may win in the end..love this many layered, and seasoned piece! Excellent..
I think you've spent far too long in aisle two among the soups.
Even if you didn't - you still can. It's never too late to right a wrong or do a didn't. ;)
Nice play on words, love!
Great read as usual.
You are either guilty or you are not.
Easy-Peasy ...
too funny
too funny
I CAN not. Oh yes I CAN! Hahahaha!
And I can see me in the soup aisle looking for Campbells Bean and Bacon soup and not finding it more times than I care to count...comfort food...it should always be available
Sandi
Dear Brian: "could've" so past tense darling~
We certainly could've been...all Andy Warhols had we thought of it first...dang~!
Did or Didn't is something we all end up wondering about but the Could've is so sad.
Love this!
Did,didn't, could've - too late, Brian, but now you can do! Clever one... :)
Nice! You are such a smart poet.
=)
You are always interesting and fun to read.
Very clever and original take on the prompt. I do like the play on words,
Coulda, shoulda, woulda, huh? I like this very much.
As usual.
:)
clever
What a clever write. Hope I get to feel all the ribs, then can say I did it.
could have, would have, should have....I'll never look at the Campbell again, in the same way!
I love that your poems always have deeper meanings :D
Good to hear from you on my blog the other day! Hope all is well :D
Cheers,
Jen
You can...and did...
Love your 'can do' attitude...teehee.
I do like your Magpie Tales.
Tomato for me, with a grilled cheese please, Oh and a nice sour dill pickle. (cheap date) liked this write a lot!
Blatant Freudian symbolism...or maybe I just think about sex too much. ~Mary
ohhhhh I LIKE this Brian. What an inspirational photo this has been for so many writers:-)
I just love to read what you write - and how you write. Yes - you CAN!
I would've if I could've but I didn't so I won't... :)
nice post!
good one brian....really liked where you wnet with this
i love the way you started this one sir... you're awesome!
JJRod'z
Oh, I like this! Wisdom spilled on aisle two.
Surely, I think you should. :)
You have such an elastic, creative mind. I love how you play with your words.
"Could've " is one of the saddest words. You catch that particular sadness so well!ANd the photo is striking.
Clever.
Can't can imagination could you?
rel
You mean you didn't? oh and why is everybody is changing every format I'm confused
loved it Brian, I try to stay away from canned goods for now. lol.
Ah, all those missed opportunities . . .
Oh that is BRILLIANT Brian!
the can, of soup!
you deserve a round of applause.
can you hear it?
and the wave?
those 1st few lines are killer.
yeah.
Fun to read :)
Creative, excellent.
Very good word play, few words with lots of punch!
Wander
excellent...best part of working for myself...( unless I decide to can myself!) hee!
Oh, I like this one.
I just love this:
tracing the ridge
of every firm rib,
Catching up, slowly but surely.... :)
Looks like the ghost of old Andy Warhol searching for another can to paint.
Oh Brian, this show your absolute control of the English language.;) Truly enjoyed this and it is always fun to see what narrative you put to a picture.;))
xoxo
now we are talking, I love campbells soup, mmm great post mate.
loved the poem in it's fine format.....and if it's a Campbell's - it's Cream of Tomato.....(with capitals!)
The last line sends a little chill them Mr sCribe
Uncanny incantations...
Another brilliant piece, Bri.
Could've, should've....DID. And thank goodness for that!
I love the existential feeling in this poem. And the play on the meanings of "can" - fantastic.
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