Kim is the host of dVerse today. Kim says:
This week I’d like you to take any meaning, form or compound of the word rich, and write a poem of exactly 44 words (not counting your title), including the prompt word.
Worm King
Tender, smooth skin,
Peristaltic, mining
Wilted lettuce, apple peels;
Constricting scraps
While centipedes march
Endless reconnaissance
And sowbugs sip brown juice.
Castoff corner of any garden,
Busier than any stock exchange,
You bring us your garbage
And we make you rich
with black gold.
Tao Talk 
Nice use of the most completely mundane of subject matter. The last line even promises oil? (Texas tea)
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Thank you, Larry. It’s not oil, but soil. There is a thing called compost tea that you can water your plants with, as it is full of nutrients from the composted kitchen scraps.
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References to black gold always make me think of oil..It’s from the Beverly Hillbillies song
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Yes, it reminds me of it also. “Next thing you know, old Jed’s a millionaire…” I love that show! So many laughs.
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Love the way you describe the rich the little worms can give…
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Thank you, Bjorn. :) The honeybees work their magic above ground, as the earthworms work theirs below.
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Wow, Jade, the shape of your quadrille looks like one of those little well-fed worms that I sometimes find in our garden – the robin really likes them! It also reminds me of the worm farms the children sometimes make at school. I especially like the final lines:
‘You bring us your garbage
And we make you rich
with black gold’.
There’s nothing like rich soil – it has an amazing aroma.
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Thank you very much for your thoughtful comments, Kim. No, there isn’t.
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This is such a delight to read! I love watching Gardener’s World on BBC (I have a secret crush on Monty Don LOL) but it is such an educational show, even if it is set in the UK. My garden is filled with worms, it should be after 20 years!
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Linda, such a joy to know that worms can survive in a desert climate. I would love to see you write a poem about it. I can’t get gardening shows anymore as I have no ability to watch TV where I’m at (translated won’t/can’t pay for a TV dish rental.) I remember watching gardening shows on PBS years ago. I kinda had a crush on Mel Barthalomew back in those days as well ;)
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We stream everything now, with a fire tv cube. There is an app called Britbox, with a small monthly fee to watch. 😊
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Cool. British TV has a lot to offer, I’m sure. I have to use satellite internet which caps me at 15gb/month, which severely limits anything that streams with video. They have extra gb after 2a.m. and so often I will watch my netflix movies starting then. Yah, I know, but I have to get my movie doses.
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Wow!
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There is a common love of earth within the quadrilles today and what could be better than the richness of soil from the worm’s perspective! Nice one, Jade.
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Such a nice comment, Mish, and I love the nature lovers at dVerse <3 Thank you for your comment and glad you liked the quadrille.
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A very hard working creature making our soil rich and nourishing. A creative take on the prompt.
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Thank you, Grace :)
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This is incredibly woven, Jade :D I love; “You bring us your garbage and we make you rich with black gold.”❤️
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Thank you, Sanaa. I’ve been composting for over 35 years and see the magic :)
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Elegant bit of humour.
Happy Monday
much love…
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Thank you very much, Gillena, glad you enjoyed it. Happy Monday!
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Quite an ode to these very essential part of our ecosystem.
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Thanks Sadje, they deserve all of the accolades they can get :)
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They really do.
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I love your humorous take on this. I love earthworms and the good that they do our soil.
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Thank you, Toni. When I first read what you wrote I read the last word as soul. lol Maybe earthworms are the soul of the soil.
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enriching worms, recycling, love this one!
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:) thank you!
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Nice shape and message. We haven’t done a compose pile for years.When IK was a kikd, seemed like everybody did them.
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I enjoy composting and recycling as it cuts way down on what has to go to the landfill. Plus the worms and crew love their chow :)
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I have for these creatures but still grateful for them for nourishing our soils. Creative!
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Thank you, Maria!
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Rich with black gold… you are right nothing much better for a garden that compost!
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:)
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Hard work and humility, such richness.
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<3 yes indeed
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ok….rich little worms……but I still shudder when I see them all over the sidewalks after a spring/summer rain!
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I know, they will drown if they don’t come out of the ground. I’ve been known to do worm duty a time or two. Every worm counts!
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I had to look up sowbugs
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Do you have them in Tennessee? They are a pain in the neck around here.
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Yes when I saw a pic of one I knew them…we do.
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The info says they are a prehistoric creature, which is pretty amazing.
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That really is that they survived this long…kinda like Cher and Keith Richards
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lmao you are cracking me up. What about Willie Nelson?
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Yep you can count Willie also! That man is a walking joint… I love him to death
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We can add that to one of marijuana’s properties: preservative ;)
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I would never ever think to write about this, but you did a wonderful job! :)
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Thank you, Merril :)
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:)
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I like your creative take on “rich”. Especially the ending lines…
“Busier than any stock exchange,
You bring us your garbage
And we make you rich
with black gold.”
Nicely done.
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Thanks Ali! Glad you enjoyed it. <3
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I did. Make it a great day.
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Wonderful poem!
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Thank you, Antonia.
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