Poets logo

Straw

The numbers don't lie

By BrenPublished about a year ago Updated about a year ago 1 min read
Top Story - February 2025

how many straws

does it take

to break

a camels back

and what kind of straws

do they come in a pack?

do they go straight on the hump

or will we need a rack

My Sharona

a hit for The Knack

a quick cheap reach

just to take up the slack

but we’re almost here now

so there’s no going back (camels)

and just like that

i went right off track

how many straws

will it take

to break

a camels back

how many straws

will really make

it snap, pop and crack

is there a limit

to how much

a camel can really hack

are there any records

so we can plot and track

we need to know exactly

how many will break the back

in order to be accurate

thought must be given to the stack

as we lay them one by one

upon the next camel’s back

not before long the last straw is placed

we will hear a clear and concise crack

the camel: inevitably, regretfully;

will proceed to collapse

suffocating under

an unspecified number of straws

and with a broken back

Atlas,

it is said

carries the weight

of the world

Atlas;

one world.

nothing broken

camel;

many straws

how many?

who can tell

why even make

a worlds to straws

ratio issue

dromedary spinal health

is both

a concern

and a goal

we quibble

whilst upon

the shoulders of gods

For Fun

About the Creator

Bren

"It's just a token of my extreme!" - Frank Zappa

"Cause it's all in the heat of the moment It's all in the pain!!!" - Devin Townsend

Centre Stage with the wonderful Heather Hubler

I'm writing it out not acting in doubt!

Reader insights

Nice work

Very well written. Keep up the good work!

Top insight

  1. Easy to read and follow

    Well-structured & engaging content

Add your insights

Comments (16)

Sign in to comment
  • Dee Dee Farrrrk12 months ago

    Loved it! My Sharona that was good.

  • I loved this...kept reminding me of this delima. https://youtu.be/O6rHeD5x2tI classic work, Brenton

  • Wooohooooo congratulations on your Top Story and Leaderboard placement! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊

  • Congrats on top story…

  • Cathy holmes12 months ago

    That was fabulous. The rhyming was spot on, and I was, in places, both grinning like a fool and feeling sorry for the poor camel. Well done and congrats on the TS.

  • This comment has been deleted

  • Babs Iverson12 months ago

    Brilliant!!! Love this!!!

  • Paul Stewart12 months ago

    Lol. Sometimes I worry noone has my erratic and weird way of thinking and unpacking things, then I read a piece of Brenton brilliance and I feel fine. Also, love love love Wire. Well done on a captivating and twisting piece of almost stream-style poetry that has seriously deliciously deeper darker undertones! Congrats too on the Top Story, sir!

  • BrettNotGreg12 months ago

    Loved this all the way through!

  • Ann ☕️12 months ago

    And the time just flew while I was immersed in your poem. So reflective, for me. Thanks for a wonderful poem today and congratulations on the Top Story~ 💕

  • Tales by J.J.about a year ago

    The playful exploration of "how many straws" it takes to break a camel's back captures the reader's imagination.

  • Cindy Calderabout a year ago

    An amazing and creative poem! Congratulations on the Top Story, too!

  • Gregory Paytonabout a year ago

    A play on words that describes what it would take to break someone. Nicely Done !!!

  • Alexandria Stanwyckabout a year ago

    Amazing, expanding on the idea of what it takes for someone to break and the phrase "the straw that breaks the camel's back." Congrats on the Top Story!

  • Snarky Lisaabout a year ago

    Love the rhyme scheme!

  • Marie381Uk about a year ago

    Lovely poetry 🙏♦️♦️♦️♦️

  • Alex H Mittelman about a year ago

    How many? Great poem! Fantastic work!

Find us on social media

Miscellaneous links

  • Explore
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Support

© 2026 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.