A wink?
Seriously?
Am I meant to smile
in conspiratorial culpability,
was that a Colgate
bright teeth,
complete with chime
wink, or…
a big bad wolf,
I’m coming to get you
later wink, or…
hand-in-cookie-jar,
you didn’t see this –
in which case,
I wink.
(Written for dVerse‘s quadrille night – a poem in 44 words – with the prompt, wink; and for Ragtag Community’s, chime.)
One Woman's Quest 
Hi VJ! I enjoyed reading your poem here. Well written, and engaging… I liked the questioning essence of this piece – and yeah, I’d probably wink too… 😉
…rob from Image & Verse
My “wink”
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Thanks Rob. I dropped by and left a message – let me know if it arrived okay – for a funny message.
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Just love the variations of winks with wonderful visuals!
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Thanks Mish!
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Mischievous and delightful…. indeed, a wink can mean all sorts.
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It can. Thanks Vivian
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🙂
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Clever–a wink can have so many different meanings. It is kind of odd. I’m not sure I can remember the last time I actually saw someone wink (not in a movie).
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Ha ha – I have fun trying to teach the little ones to wink as it takes a certain amount of coordination.
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I too like conspiratorial culpability – perfect description of the way folks full of prejudice attempt to co-opt one in a way that’s difficult to protest, Love the cookie jar!
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Thanks, Christine!
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I absolutely adore this! ❤️ A wink can imply a lot of things .. it’s hard to figure out exactly what 😀
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It is! Thanks
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Very nicely done!! By the way, I wish to comment on your gravatar–your face looks so kind and welcoming, with just a touch of “imp” 🙂
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Definitely imp! Thank you
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Most welcome!! 🙂
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Nice phrase: “conspiratorial culpability”
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Thank you.
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I like the wink if its this fun like: hand-in-cookie-jar,
you didn’t see this –
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Yes, that’s the okay one. thanks Grace.
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I prefer the cookie jar scenario!
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Yes…that’s best.
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A wink can mean many things..
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It can.
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Delightful! When did I last wink at anyone? I might have to try it …
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Ha ha – such a strange concept really.
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indeed a wink can have many interpretations! clever and very funny V.J!
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Thanks Gina.
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This is great V.J. I’m with Jane- I am not sure men do wink anymore, there is a lot lost in this modern world, like the subtleties of innocent flirting.
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Thanks. I grew up in a family where the men’s attention was out of line. Their winks disturbed me. That said, it can be fun when kids are getting away with something.
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Good one VJ , Yes !! wink, my hand’s in the cookie jar
“Here’s to the few who forgive what you do, and the fewer who don’t even care” – Leonard Cohen
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Lol. Thanks Ivor. Enjoy those cookies.
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brilliant title and I love your exploration of the different types of wink. I have to say, the last person who winked at me was my grandfather. 😉
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thanks Kim. Seems grandfathers are noted for winking. I never had one of those.
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Lovely introspection; puts me in mind of that Shirley Temple movie, WEE WINNIE WINKLE from the 30’s. My grandfather was a joker, and he loved to wink.
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I have to confess, I wink at my grandchildren, but as a kid I found it creepy, lol.
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I’m not sure men wink any more. They’ve lost even that subtlety 🙂
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Hard to interpret, for sure! I think especially as a woman, it can be hard. I loved this, V.J.
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I love your deconstruction of the significance of the wink, V.J.! You’ve hit beautifully on the complexity of a small gesture that could either be totally innocuous or filled with subtext.
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Oh.. I would fear the wolf too… and even a friendly conspiracy is a conspiracy.
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