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The Tissue

Based on a dream I had where I couldn't stop my nose from running, from the tissue's perspective

By Bryan BuffkinPublished 3 years ago 1 min read
Top Story - January 2023

I am perfect, clean, unblemished

Fresh and folded, ready-to-serve

I wait, with my brethren

Filled with purpose,

For the moment when I can

Take away your sins

Clean away your faults, take away your stains,

Make you clean again.

I am powerful in my purpose,

I can relieve you of germs, of dirt, of faults

I can fix your mistakes

But until then I wait,

With my like-minded friends,

Ready to fix your broken world.

The day comes, the light shines through the box,

I am plucked from the rabble

I’m excited, overcome, ready-to-serve

This is my moment, my purpose

I was made for just this reason,

And, though the pain is great, it must be done.

I am tugged upon, and crumpled,

My body twisted and torn

You blow into me, through me,

I don’t think I’m strong enough.

I am coated with your indiscretion,

Your sunflower-colored discharge.

I am finished, broken.

You ball me up and toss me away.

I am disposed of, out-of-mind.

I lay, stationary, used,

In the blue bin in the corner;

I have served my purpose.

I am picked up, moved,

Along with my broken brethren,

Tossed about, the journey is long.

I am poured in a container, drenched

Torn apart, broken down, purified

Pieced together, born again, placed back in the box.

I am perfect again, clean and unblemished.

I am ready-to-serve.

surreal poetry

About the Creator

Bryan Buffkin

Bryan Buffkin is a high school English teacher, a football and wrestling coach, and an aspiring author from the beautiful state of South Carolina. His writing focuses on humorous observational musings and inspirational fiction.

Reader insights

Outstanding

Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!

Top insights

  1. Compelling and original writing

    Creative use of language & vocab

  2. Eye opening

    Niche topic & fresh perspectives

  3. Easy to read and follow

    Well-structured & engaging content

  1. Excellent storytelling

    Original narrative & well developed characters

  2. On-point and relevant

    Writing reflected the title & theme

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Comments (12)

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  • Moksha3 years ago

    This poem is a stunning work of art, a powerful testament to the cyclical nature of life and the resilience of the human spirit. The use of a simple, everyday object - a tissue - as a metaphor for the ups and downs of existence is both poignant and insightful. The imagery is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a world in which the struggle for perfection is both beautiful and brutal. The final stanza, in which the tissue is reborn, purified and ready-to-serve once again, is a triumph of hope over adversity. A must-read for anyone who appreciates the beauty and power of language.

  • Lamar Wiggins3 years ago

    👏👏👏 Wow! what a crazy cycle. I thoroughly enjoyed this.

  • Caroline Jane3 years ago

    Great metaphor. Enjoyed this.

  • Zahra Movassagh3 years ago

    Very witty https://clients1.google.it/url?sa=t&url=https://komaket.com/ https://clients1.google.je/url?sa=t&url=https://komaket.com/

  • This comment has been deleted

  • Tiffany Gordon3 years ago

    Awesome work! So clever & well done!

  • Burn Book3 years ago

    Wow...I never thought I'd read a poem from the perspective of a tissue and actually enjoy it. Nice piece

  • Love the gentle prodding of the mortal coil of a non-sentient being, interesting 🤨

  • Janice Daily3 years ago

    This is such a unique and thought-provoking perspective on the seemingly insignificant object of a tissue. Bravo!

  • Very witty and a cool perspective to consider.

  • Shea Dunlop3 years ago

    Delightful! I like how you took something so ordinary and gave us a new perspective.

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