As X the Owl (from Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood) says, "You
learn something old every day." Despite two degrees in reading slightly obscure texts, I had never even heard of a kenning, essentially a poetic
metaphor (but follow the link for a more comprehensive definition with
examples). I only know what they are now because my friend's daughter Alice has
been writing them. This is her most beautiful one:
Throat:
A very greedy tube,
A ruby red train tunnel,
A voice box holder.
Isn't that just poetry? And now, thanks to Alice, I know what a kenning is and
I am delighted.
Okay, I'm going to try one too.
Fingers:
Tummy ticklers
Glove fillers
Midnight ice-box thieves
This is not as easy as it seems. What do you think, Alice?