31 Comments
Dec 18, 2023Liked by Alicia Kenworthy

"I almost gave myself away because I know nothing about carrots." This line is a lead, Alicia. Use it again as an opening line for a short story. Beautiful!

"...my mark of adulthood, [is] that I know what a dutch oven is..." Another brilliant lead line! It instantly made me ponder the mark of my own adulthood. At my advanced age, I should know the answer to the question, but I don't... yet.

Expand full comment

Very beautifully written, Alicia -- as always . What's a dutch oven when it's at home?

Expand full comment
Dec 18, 2023Liked by Alicia Kenworthy

"write in a way that affects

carelessness in a way I couldn’t

when I was actually

carefree"

Mm hm. 💜

Expand full comment

Hi Alice! Great word play. The carrot one was a bit sneaky, but wonderful. I almost gave myself away",and carrots I had to come back to, but dutch ovens created the whole way of life, apparently a matter of choice. My mark of adulthood was to choose dutch ovens for my children.

Expand full comment

Loved this! The work voice line reminded me of the movie Office Space where a woman says, “Corporate accounts payable, Nina speaking, *just* a moment,” over and over and over again.

Expand full comment

I really enjoyed the poem! And I also love the line about carrots.

I hadn't thought about 'work voices' much but now you mention it, it's striking how people can change they way they talk, according to context. Growing up on a dairy farm, there was no mistaking my father's work voice, which would be audible from several hundred yards if a cow became difficult in some way. Especially at 5.00am.

Expand full comment

Loved reading this! I found the last few lines particularly wonderful. And thanks for the shoutout :) Glad I could play a part in inspiring this piece!

Expand full comment

Loved the poem.

But did not get the "posse" reference!

Expand full comment

How I wish for you to forget what a Dutch oven is, buy store-bought stock, and feel carefree again...

Expand full comment

Simply brilliant.

Expand full comment