My roots are a tangle of questionable choices:
Grandma’s meatloaf recipe (mayonnaise? Yes, but why?)
Dad’s fondness for dad jokes
(“I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. It’s impossible to put down!”)
Siblings who, like dandelions, pop up everywhere,
invade my personal space,
and refuse to leave.
I am grounded by embarrassing childhood photos
Bowl cuts, braces,
and that phase where I wore capes to the grocery store
like a tiny, overcaffeinated superhero.
My roots are reliable:
they keep my feet in last season’s shoes,
pull me back home for holidays,
and ensure my fridge is always stocked with condiments
I will never, ever use.
But my branches, oh, my branches!
They reach out with wild ambition,
like that one uncle at karaoke night:
confident, off key, unstoppable.
My branches chase dreams, squirrels, and Wi Fi signals.
They text exes,
apply to jobs I am utterly unqualified for,
and sign up for half marathons I’ll walk (briskly).
Sometimes my branches forget about my roots,
like when I order salad for dinner
and remember I don’t like salad.
Or when I try yoga,
get stuck in downward dog,
and require assistance from a houseplant
and a passing cat.
Yet, in this grand botanical comedy,
roots and branches keep trading punchlines,
one keeps me steady,
the other keeps me ridiculous.
And somewhere between mayonnaise and marathons,
I grow.
(Unevenly. But with style.)
About the Creator
Tim Carmichael
Tim is an Appalachian poet and cookbook author. He writes about rural life, family, and the places he grew up around. His poetry and essays have appeared in Beautiful and Brutal Things, his latest book.
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Comments (11)
This was absolutely hilarious. Mayonnaise and meatloaf? I am not sure I can wrap my head around that one. However, I do prefer mayo over ketchup for dipping French fries. Thanks for making me laugh, Tim; this was fantastic❣
Tc- I've never done challenges; I'm a once-a-month post, if that. But, I'm an instant fan of yours! Mom would walk around the table with a large pitcher, "More Gravy anyone"...on everything! Best to you, jk.in.l.a.
I love this botanical comedy and the funny angle, like you take yourself seriously enough to not be serious (if that even makes sense haha).
The humour in this brilliant, very playfully done in your writing.
So cleverly done, Tim. I love the playful tone
This was such a fun take on the challenge!
I my gosh! I absolutely adore this!!!! Perfection. Gold. Love the humor and the grounding. Nailed exactly what it's like to remember where you came from but be brave/crazy enough to push beyond that safety.
Hahaha that’s a great dad joke! Excellent poem Tim, I really enjoyed your take on the challenge. I think struck a great balance between your roots and your branches here. Nostalgia vs hopes, and silly vs focused.
Cute stuff Tim! Thx 4 sharing! ☺️
Very amusing way to remember those roots and branches. we all have our own style of keeping them alive.
Tim, I smiled all the way through this. I think you've got a real contender for the challenge prize here!