My back is always so itchy, it inspired me to write this.

I’ve got an itch in the middle of my back.
It’s becoming such a pain.
Every time I sit at the computer,
It starts to itch again.

I wouldn’t mind if I could reach it
And give it the scratching it needs.
But no matter how much I wriggle and squirm
I can’t do the necessary deed.

As soon as I have an idea
For a poem I want to write,
The itch begins with a vengeance
And stops me in mid flight.

Whatever can be the cause?
Of such a cutaneous sensation,
Which can blight a writer’s thought stream
And cause her such irritation.

I have invested in a back scratcher
It is cute and made out of wood.
The little hand on the end reaches
But it doesn’t do any good.

I’ve even tried to put cream on,
But that in itself was a trial.
Twisting my arm up behind my back
Was making me feel quite hostile.

I’ll just have to grin and bear it,
Or maybe someone has a tip I can use.
Is it caused by the strain of composing?
I’d be interested to hear some views.

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Comments (37)
  • Hazel Crowther on May 12, 2009

    Thank you for making me smile, I too have an ‘itch’ when I’m writing. It’s at the back of my head, I have to have cream from the doctor and keep my nails short. You are not alone, don’t despair and please don’t give up writing, I would miss you!

  • Phill Senters on May 12, 2009

    This was so hard to read, but only because I was laughing so much! It seems we share the same malady, except my itch can be anywhere. It almost never fails when I sit down at my desk. Thanks for a good chuckle.

  • Frances Stanford on May 12, 2009

    You and I suffer from the same affliction. Excellent poem.

  • Karen Gross on May 12, 2009

    It seems that everyone else in my family always has itches, and I am the only one with fingernails. I would love to be able to scratch my own back as well, but alas, I cannot reach. Think we could scratch each other’s backs through cyber space?

  • Daisy Peasblossom on May 12, 2009

    Keep a tree truck in the corner of your writing space? So you can rub on it like an old bear? I, too, know the middle of the back itch!

  • Mr Ghaz on May 12, 2009

    Nice poem…well written piece..thnx 4 sharing this great stuff

  • Betty Carew on May 12, 2009

    Christine I suffer really bad with this and it only started a few years ago .My back itches anywhere anytime lol. Excellent poem that lets us see how many is afflicted with this unbearable itch. Loved the read as usual.

  • Kate Smedley on May 12, 2009

    That was truly inspired Christine, brilliant poem, had me laughing all the way through!!

  • Vikram Chhabra on May 12, 2009

    I will admit I found this very amusing, even though Christine it must be a torture you are going through…:)

  • CHAN LEE PENG on May 12, 2009

    Are you always experiencing itciness at your back? It might be due to that the acidic substance may have accumulated at your back. It’s better that you can increase alkaline foods so as to reduce your itchiness while improving your condition.

    I hope this helps. Take care.

  • papaleng on May 12, 2009

    Oh! Christine we do have the same problem,, nice write, I enjoy reading it.

  • Sheila on May 12, 2009

    I just use the corner of the doorway lol….cute poem but I guess that could become quite the irritation!

  • Poetic Enigma on May 12, 2009

    This is a brilliant piece,
    Humourous, and very well written :)
    Happens to me sometimes too,
    So I can understand!

  • payge on May 12, 2009

    This one had me laughing…has the same prolem,.I work in a huge fitness center.Im agine your back starting to itch and the hallway is packed with members.Does it when I write to….its annoying.

  • Christine Ramsay on May 12, 2009

    Your comments have started me itching again, lol. I had no idea so many people suffered from the same problem. I must thank you for your recommendations.

    Christine

  • Radhika Bhargava on May 12, 2009

    This is really amazing,made me laugh,very brilliantly written,even I hv the same problem.

  • Ruby Hawk on May 12, 2009

    Well, let me join the crowd. When I sit down at the computer I itch around my stomach. It is weird. I have tried using cream, then I got the idea of using vaseline mixed up with my lotion and that does help. I use it every morning when I get out of the shower. It might work for you Christine.

  • clay hurtubise on May 12, 2009

    lol, you have an itch to write!
    Thanks,
    Clay

  • 12thofnever on May 12, 2009

    very nice!

  • Annie Hintsala on May 12, 2009

    This was great, you poor thing.

  • Kheng on May 12, 2009

    This is great. I was smiling the whole time I read this.

    Take care,
    Kheng

  • Caroline1957 on May 12, 2009

    I enjoyed reading your poem.Maybe its a seven years itch! Have you been writing for seven years,but please don’t give it a break,we enjoy your poems.

  • Ask Cash on May 12, 2009

    That is so sweet!

  • monica55 on May 13, 2009

    This is another funny and clever one Christine. However I’d follow Chan’s advice to get rid of that itching. Monica.

  • Melody SJAL on May 13, 2009

    Very enjoyable…maybe you could use a wooden hand scratcher:)

  • The Good Vibes Girl on May 13, 2009

    Awww you poor thing. I always get itching arms when I’m trying to go to sleep, drives me crazy! Never had it while writing though! Great poem :-)

  • nobert soloria bermosa on May 13, 2009

    I’ve seen lot of people your age,Chan could be right,better consult your doctor

  • jadeynlee on May 13, 2009

    Another funny one. you have made me feel itchy too

  • rizzei on May 13, 2009

    nice poem . derived from an unexpected itch at that moment:) i enjoyed reading it.

  • seashell66 on May 13, 2009

    Sorry for the itch….Nice poem!

  • Lauren Axelrod on May 13, 2009

    This was so funny. Actually, I had an itch the entire time I was reading it. It may have been a bug, but still. he he

  • Karelee on May 14, 2009

    I’ve not had that but I do know that having an itch in the middle of your back is something that can peak our creativity.. LOL hairbrushes, doorframes, pens, ect. Love it… thanx for making us laugh again.

  • Mike on May 14, 2009

    Once again you gave me a good laugh. The door frame always works for me.

  • mark ramsay on May 14, 2009

    We are as bad as one another. I think it must run in the family. A funny poem.

  • Christine Ramsay on May 15, 2009

    Thank you so much for your comments and tips. I shall try some of them out.

    Christine

  • Debra Mann on May 15, 2009

    You always manage to steal a giggle or two out of me! Loved it!

  • DA Cournean on May 16, 2009

    lol, I know the feeling. Nice poem.

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