.

I.
I travel thanks to water,
But do not float or sail.
More quickly than an otter
And have a smoke-like tail.

What am I?

.

II>.

II.
When at the beach, I soak up sun,
Look down on waves (that’s always fun),
But sometimes I get carried away,
Especially on windy days.

What am I?

.

.

III.
I walk where I like to enjoy a good salad
And those lines on the road, well I find them invalid.
Perhaps you have seen me while you’re driving past.
Hey! those lights are nice but you’re going too—

What was I?

.

.

IV.
I’m bigger than my mother
But also I am smaller.
I’m colder than she is
And when I talk she freezes.
She wants me to use Danish
Though I feel that’s a pain-ish.

What am I?

.

.

V.
My hair is green and long.
I always make a point.
My body’s hard and strong
But if you should disjoint
It, you will see an eye;
With tears of orange I cry.

What am I?

.

.

VI.
An umbrella, a mushroom,
A thick cream or a dream?
I keep changing my shape—
The sky’s billowing cape.

What am I?

.

.

Evan Mantyk teaches literature and history in New York and is Editor of the Society of Classical Poets. His most recent books of poetry are Heroes of the East and West, and a translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. 

ANSWERS: I. steam train, II. umbrella, III. deer, IV. Greenland, V. carrot, VI. cloud

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The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary.


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14 Responses

  2. Mark Stellinga

    1. A wave
    2. A kite
    3. A deer ( we recently got kamikazied by one while on vacation)
    4. ???
    5. ???
    6. A cloud

    Reply
  5. Martin Elster

    1. a steam train
    2. a beach umbrella
    3. a deer (“caught like a deer in headlights”)
    4. Greenland
    5. carrot

    Reply
  6. Martin Elster

    1. a steam train
    2. a beach umbrella
    3. a deer (“caught like a deer in headlights”)
    4. Greenland
    5. a carrot
    6. a cloud

    Reply
  8. Rohini

    These are such fun! Thank you for brightening up a dull, cloudy day.
    I) Salmon
    II) Kite
    III) Deer
    IV) Yeast
    V) Carrot
    VI) Clouds

    Reply
  10. Margaret Coats

    Good contributions to one of the most venerable genres in English literature, Evan.

    Reply
  11. Susan Jarvis Bryant

    Thank you, Evan. What utter fun! I’m too late to partake, but I’m not too late to ask in true Dickensian fashion – MORE please!

    Reply

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