Mud Fence Creations | Conni Delinger
I love getting replies from readers about my columns. Some evoke laughter, some a shake of the head, and others just a warm and fuzzy “Ahhh…”
Last week’s column about unusual names of towns across America generated more than the normal feedback, which I love! Betty Fay, a dear friend from Lenox, reminded me I had not included Hooker, Oklahoma, and Ms. Rita Godfrey, of Henderson, sent me a poem she had written about towns with strange names. Makes one ponder…
“Are There Gnostics in Knob Knoster? A Nonsense Rhyme”
by Rita Godfrey
Are there gnostics in Knob Knoster?
Do they ever gnow good gnus?
Is it true in Christian County that
Their school buses have pews?
Is there really Hope in Arkansas?
Will Lost Nation find its way?
How’s your soul, dear Oklahoma?
Are you really that OK?
Is there any shade in Lone Tree?
Is there laughter in What Cheer?
Are they messy folks in Spillville?
Is it better there than here?
Do they all wear skirts in Swisher?
Or do they smoke cigars?
Is it true that in DeSoto’s streets
They all drive antique cars?
Is Mechanicsville the place to be,
If your car gives up and dies?
Are the farmers all in Farmington –
Though some are in disguise?
Can you find a shave in Burma?
Some epistles in St. Paul?
Are gyros found in Greece, N.Y.?
Does it matter? Not at all!
Are there cold cuts in New Delhi?
Are there peas in Mississippi?
Is there humor in here somewhere?
I would say it’s pretty iffi!
Are there flowers in Burke’s Garden,
Where my ancestors are laid?
Does bread rise well in Leavenworth?
Is that where good dough is made?
Are they balanced folks in Centerville,
Or are they in a rut?
And for my friends in Texas,
Please explain: Big Sandy what?!
Do pitches fly in Pilot Mound
Every time they have a game?
Would Wahooians have any fun
By any other name?
Are there ever fires in Greenwood?
Do they all spout off in Wales?
Are there hard-shelled folks in Walnut
Who carry them home in pails?
Ah, the questions that geography
Brings to the idle mind!
And a goofier page of poetry
Would be very hard to find!
This warranted an “extra” column for this month, so hope you enjoyed it!
Conni Delinger lives in Stanton. A business woman, she also is a freelance writer. Her column appears monthly in The Express. You can reach her at mudfencecreations@yahoo.com.