I am Not a Riddle
#3
(11-06-2026, 07:00 AM)matsunosuperfan Wrote:  Hey, I think it's mostly just too direct by half, and at the same time, often too vague. I like the no-context dialogue in S2, the rest is kind of a drag. I can tell there are some compelling ideas at work here and the speaker clearly means it, but the language mostly vacillates between coy abstractions (I get named by people who've never met me... I'm pleased to be so particularly chosen... we met in her youth) and frustratingly unattached, if pointed, declaratives (I am clean and she is wholesome... she chose me for my skin color... I'm getting a little old). 

I don't really know what to do with all these statements. Also I find it kinda annoying that the title says "I am not a riddle" and then the poem very clearly presents as a riddle. If this is intentional, the irony didn't produce an enticement for me; it just makes me think the project is either confused or too glib.

Oh, and just a diction note - for me, "call me by my name" is a cliche.
Thanks for the read. The intent wasn't clear enough, and I'm not sure what to do about it.

It is a riddle - with a trap. 

The subject doesn't want to be called a generic name like 'mammal' or 'Blondie'. It has an individual history including a personal relationship and a proper name to go with it. To answer the riddle with a generic name is to give offense. But you can't know the proper name; only 'she' knows it. 

S2 isn't context-free, it contains a couple of the clues.

Explanation of the riddle:
The subject is a bicycle.

'Reflection...visible' - reflectors.
'mammal...two round body parts' - 'bi-cycle' (two-circles)

'clean ... not' - ecologically clean, greasily not
'wholesome' - healthy

'skin color' - paint
'not racist ... except when pressed' - races only if pressed

'taut legs' - spokes
'infinite stride' - circular feet

'garage' - the giveaway clue
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Messages In This Thread
I am Not a Riddle - by purplie - 11-05-2026, 08:01 PM
RE: I am Not a Riddle - by matsunosuperfan - 11-06-2026, 07:00 AM
RE: I am Not a Riddle - by purplie - 11-06-2026, 12:34 PM
RE: I am Not a Riddle - by matsunosuperfan - 11-06-2026, 01:41 PM
RE: I am Not a Riddle - by purplie - 11-06-2026, 04:56 PM
RE: I am Not a Riddle - by matsunosuperfan - Yesterday, 02:23 AM
RE: I am Not a Riddle - by purplie - Yesterday, 03:30 AM
RE: I am Not a Riddle - by matsunosuperfan - Yesterday, 03:34 AM



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