"Job and Friends" by Repin‘Ode to Chronic Pain’ and Other Poetry by Dan Davis The Society June 12, 2025 Culture, Poetry 4 Comments . Ode to Chronic Pain I curse your name and spit as you supply these diverse proofs that I am not divine— and yet I should embrace you for the same, so keep me still and resting, Faithful Pain. . . The Millennial Heel A demigod of Clark-Kent strength sits at a desk from day to day to gently blow on chicken feathers, then take his check and shrink away. His strength could save the town, but doesn’t because a stronger force supplies the Kryptonite—the tendon cutting— unanswered whispers asking, Why? . . Dan Davis lives in Southeast Michigan working as a financial professional. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. ***Read Our Comments Policy Here*** 4 Responses Roy Eugene Peterson June 12, 2025 As a retiree, I feel your pain, as I do in both shoulders, and empathize. I am still puzzling over a job of blowing on chicken feathers. It does seem par for the course for millennials. Both poems are nicely done and call creative attention to diverse situations. Reply Dan Davis June 12, 2025 Indeed, it is just as puzzling to read about such a job as it is vexing to be given the task! Glad you enjoyed 🙂 Reply Margaret Coats June 13, 2025 “Ode to Chronic Pain” may be the shortest ode I’ve seen, but it’s admirably clear and comprehensible. Shows why the subject deserves an ode, which is the essence of what a good ode does. “The Millennial Heel” works in a more roundabout way, as millennials (at least in your vision) themselves do. They’re wounded in potential, which is a sad and bitter thing. Describing it in terms of the lost possibilities emphasizes the frustration of persons who seem unable to make anything of a situation that could be rewarding for many years to come. Such a poignant yet inescapable contrast of Superman and the man at the desk! Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant June 13, 2025 I just love “The Millennial Heel” (clever play on Achilles’ Heel) for the enormity of a powerful message captured gloriously in its brevity. I like the excellent use of imagery which captures the routine and the remarkable. The vision of pointlessly blowing on chicken feathers when one possesses the superpowers of hero is superb. To me, this poem touches the heart with its vivid portrayal of wasted potential – a sad indictment of today’s world. Dan, thank you! Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Roy Eugene Peterson June 12, 2025 As a retiree, I feel your pain, as I do in both shoulders, and empathize. I am still puzzling over a job of blowing on chicken feathers. It does seem par for the course for millennials. Both poems are nicely done and call creative attention to diverse situations. Reply
Dan Davis June 12, 2025 Indeed, it is just as puzzling to read about such a job as it is vexing to be given the task! Glad you enjoyed 🙂 Reply
Margaret Coats June 13, 2025 “Ode to Chronic Pain” may be the shortest ode I’ve seen, but it’s admirably clear and comprehensible. Shows why the subject deserves an ode, which is the essence of what a good ode does. “The Millennial Heel” works in a more roundabout way, as millennials (at least in your vision) themselves do. They’re wounded in potential, which is a sad and bitter thing. Describing it in terms of the lost possibilities emphasizes the frustration of persons who seem unable to make anything of a situation that could be rewarding for many years to come. Such a poignant yet inescapable contrast of Superman and the man at the desk! Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant June 13, 2025 I just love “The Millennial Heel” (clever play on Achilles’ Heel) for the enormity of a powerful message captured gloriously in its brevity. I like the excellent use of imagery which captures the routine and the remarkable. The vision of pointlessly blowing on chicken feathers when one possesses the superpowers of hero is superb. To me, this poem touches the heart with its vivid portrayal of wasted potential – a sad indictment of today’s world. Dan, thank you! Reply
