The Ivory Wall - (Teeth tales*)

By Rhiannonw

Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • 189 reads
12 comments
 

An ivory wall the impulsive tongue to encase –
portcullis to raise with care
when brain and heart consider time and place,
what words are appropriate to share.

Snippers of food, and threateners of bite,
pearls of a smile, sometime snarling sight:
from the tongue they release
words foolish or malice may trip
or comments healing and kind may gently slip.

*https://www.abctales.com/blog/insertponceyfrenchnamehere/another-challen...

 

Certificate U
Poem
Miscellaneous
Philosophy
Humour

Comments

Submitted by insertponceyfre... on

A good entry - well done Rhiannon!

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you! A bit of a challenge! Rh

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Indeed, sometimes we speak without thinking, very hurtful words foolish or malice unkind or dirty, words undone once spoken, but also there are also words healing and kind, beautiful and considerate of comfort and love.

The tongue is a flame that can set the whole world on fire, people do not always have to agree on everything. Fact is anyone can make a mistake. The tongue is a scalpel that can both either save lives or murder.

A good poem Rhiannon, though the anatomy was a bit overdone for me the picture as well.

Keep well! Tom

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Tom. There are many Proverbs about good and bad use of the tongue. As you say it can be used to do much good and helpfulness, but needs to be restrained, and needs training in the heart! 

Years ago, I read a funny piece about the guards of teeth and lips around the tongue!

There has been put up a challenge on ABC to write about teeth. That is what the link is about. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by ScoZen on

Hello Tom.

 Please submit a toothy tale from Africa, it would be nice to read a tale from from a country I have never visited.

Except in books .

Regards

 

ScoZen

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Ok I will try to think of one

Ok I will try to think of one! Maybe I will ask my brother he knows hundreds of storiers.

Keep well! Tom

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

ScoZen I did something as you suggested, it will take a little longer for an "actual story" but I will work on it.

All the best! Tom

 

Submitted by Nolan on

Thirty white horses on a red hill,
   First they champ,
   Then they stamp,
Then they stand still.

Do you know where the riddle comes from Rhiannon?

Nolan &

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Never heard it, Nolan! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by ScoZen on

I'm pleased to read your tale.

I'm hoping we reach the 32 teethy tales. There must be a sweet tooth somwhere.

Thanks again for post

Regards

ScoZen

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you for setting the interesting challenge. I hadn't realised that 32 was an aim at getting that many! Rh

 

Submitted by ScoZen on

                                   "...I hadn't realised that 32 was an aim..."

Hello Rhinnonw.  It's just me hoping for the full set, top and bottom.

As many as you wish, one or two teeth will do, all good fun.

Regards.

 

ScoZen