Sharon Chmielarz

Speaking in Riddles Sharon Chmielarz

Author Sharon Chmielarz, best known for her wry and subtle poems, here turns her attention in a slightly different direction, to word-puzzles that actually have a solution--often more than one. The language is as pleasant and evocative as always, but the challenge is perhaps greater. Answers are provided in the back.

Here's one to try out: I can be dark and sombre. I can be bright as sequins, many sequins, sewn on. I can host a moon, a cat, or a snout. Or even your embroidered name. My trouble, I muffle. My mantra, semper fidelis. My motto, do or die.

Here's amother one:

The head, for all its genius, is limitedto nodding and shaking, but thesenimble creatures switch easily fromgiving direction to talking without a mouth. Just one of them, pushed into your chestain't a sign of love, Bub. A Je t'accuse! canprecede a firing squad and is sweatily closeto a tongue's lashing or the preacher's wagging.

Still these bony ones can make a cashmere Come here.

Or discretely wipe a tearor guide a nub across a paper.