Eating words

A word of precaution: These pills are only supplements, and are not intended to replace any you might already be taking!

Believe your doctor

When she says

Words are good for health.

 

I eat them now and then;

A new one everytime;

They may taste bitter

But its like bread and butter

If your mouth's as big as mine.

And they cost you naught a dime!

 

There are many from which to choose:

Big ones, little ones,

Bitter ones, sweet ones,

And some that don't exist.

 

Some, I stuff by myself

Into my leaking mouth,

Some are stuffed by others as well

For being so uncouth.

 

But when you're stuffed with

Words that don't exist,

Either they're sadists,

Or you're a masochist. 

 

There are a few you need not eat.

They climb up over your larynx,

Jump over the epiglottis

And drop into the pharynx

Before they reach your esophagus,

And get into your blood,

And stop your heart from freezing.

 

When they enter your stomach

They cause it to rumble;

You go for a tumble

And mumble and grumble,

And get yourself jumbled

Unless you stay humble.

 

You won't have a heart that's cold

If you eat a word a week.

Try not to eat too much though.

Your heart will overheat!

And that's when you get a heartburn.

 

And if you smell of fumes

Arising from your heart;

Panic not, they'll all depart

If you spit them words

Wholesale.

 

And remember what the doctor said:

Words are good for health.

So have you eaten any today?

Reviews

[Alana]

This made me grin :D It reminded me of having an apple a day to keep the doctor away, only this is more like a word a week… to keep your heart from growing meek?
I really liked “Some, I stuff by myself/Into my leaking mouth,/Some are stuffed by others as well/For being so uncouth”. Instead of putting your foot in your mouth (or another’s), more words are being added instead. And really, that tends to be the case.
Also, I loved “You won't have a heart that's cold/If you eat a word a week./Try not to eat too much though./Your heart will overheat!/And that's when you get a heartburn”. Hahaha, oh, how I laughed. xD
Very cute and very clever, though I didn’t feel as if this was as polished or tight in your flow and rhyme scheme as your other poems. But I also feel this was a more free, fun piece, and so that’s not even a problem in the slightest :)

[Antonio Valentino]

Oh heck I have to eat my own words all the time :)

This was great Abdul!

Thanks for the meal, it was very fulfillig!
Antonio

[Madame Mystique]

Your poem reminded me of "Mother's little helper" by the Rolling stones
"Although she's not really ill,
There's a little yellow pill".

All addictions are hazardous, great post :)

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

I'm immediately reminded of those words that would provoke the proverbial, "I'm going to wash your mouth out with soap!" LOL!

I like this very much.

[FlawedByDesign]

hehe - Quite a humorous piece. I love it - lol :)

Who could have thought that "eating words" could be so healthy. Is it better to be well versed and have a big vocabulary, or can we rely on our peers to just shove the words down our mouths?

You've provided the laughs sir. Well done!

[LittleMadGirl]

I like what you're doctor told you ... she's a wise lady!

[KatiePie]

I'm a teenager, and I go to school with a lot of well.. teenagers, and I think that every single one of them should read this poem, and fully grasp the metaphorical meanings behind it, because how to control your tongue is a lesson so many people haven't fully learned (I am included in this crowd), and it's lesson so many people from lack of knowing suffer from.
I loved reading this :)
-Cathrine

[floarealbastra10]

great poem, really enjoyed it

[R E Tree]

I love the second stanza it explains more what you mean by the first stanza. I bet from the words that come out of my mouth give you more then bread and butter. It's great to use such personifications in poems. It makes it so beautiful and I have noticed you have tried to make this really realistic. This poem makes me feel we should all use our mouths the correct way then there would be less conflict in the world and everyone gets a piece of cake rewarded from somebodiys words.

[Augustus]

A rather comprehensive survey on the nutritive value of words I must say! The concept of "eating words" makes the write quite amusing....What also helps, I think, is that a lot of adjectives such as "bitter" and sweet apply equally well to words and to food. And you have exploited that very effectively. The medical terminology also adds to the humour.
I particularly liked the lines

"You won't have a heart that's cold
If you eat a word a week.
Try not to eat too much though.
Your heart will overheat!"

Here, you compare the positive and the negative aspects of words and caution people that while words can be comforting, too many of them can hurt. That's a rather subtle point put forward in a light-hearted way.
Overall, I think this verse was a very successful experiment, and I think your goal of making very serious points in a humorous style has been achieved.
Well done!