Brady, yet more on the lowly nettle ...
Its prickly sharpness is mitigatedby the fact that all the spines grow to about the same length, like a bed of nails .... brush it with a fingertip, and you die, but ....
As a child, I was somewhat of the hesitant variety. My mother, ever full of aphorisms, used to recite this little poem when required, and even more often than necessary (I thought!)
GENTLY GRASP A NETTLE,
AND IT STINGS YOU FOR YOUR PAINS.
GRASP IT LIKE A MAN OF METTLE,
AND IT SOFT AS SILK REMAINS.
Later on, in highschool, I'd think of it if I was hesitating about a dating situation.
Now I occasionally refer to it when confronted with an awkward or embarrassing business phone call.
Whatever works! |
