Paperclipping Toenails
A hobby I started,
When I was about nine,
Was paperclipping toenails…
But not always mine!
Whatever the weather,
In batches of ten,
I’d paperclip toenails
Of women and men.
So many examples
Of colours and styles,
Everyone wore them
With laughter and smiles.
Now ’tis my assertion,
And I’m sure it’s quite true,
That paperclipped toenails
Would look great on you!
But if you are worried,
Yet still raring to go,
I’ll paperclip your toenails
So that no one will know.
The latest in fashion,
Full of “je ne sais quoi”:
With paperclipped toenails,
You’re sure to go far!
When I was about nine,
Was paperclipping toenails…
But not always mine!
Whatever the weather,
In batches of ten,
I’d paperclip toenails
Of women and men.
So many examples
Of colours and styles,
Everyone wore them
With laughter and smiles.
Now ’tis my assertion,
And I’m sure it’s quite true,
That paperclipped toenails
Would look great on you!
But if you are worried,
Yet still raring to go,
I’ll paperclip your toenails
So that no one will know.
The latest in fashion,
Full of “je ne sais quoi”:
With paperclipped toenails,
You’re sure to go far!
This poem is copyright (©) Andrew Lucy 2026
About the Writer
Andrew Lucy
Andrew Lucy is a writer, educator, counsellor, and biologist whose work ranges from children’s verse to essays on science, pedagogy, and culture. His poems often play with rhythm, logic, emotion and gentle absurdity, inviting children to enjoy language as much as story. He grew up in the UK and now lives in Singapore with his family. His work appears in print, online, and in classrooms.
