Disgust — Summary

Hazel McKayCheerful

I bite my toes I pick my nose Why do you stare at me? You never care For others there At least I give and give.

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The speaker of "Disgust" admits to a couple of habits most people would rather hide: biting their toes and picking their nose. These are small, private, slightly gross things, and the speaker names them bluntly, without apology. Then comes the question, "Why do you stare at me?" It suggests the speaker has been watched and judged, and that the staring hurts.

The poem turns defensive in its second half. The speaker accuses the other person of not caring about "others there," then points to their own generosity: "At least I give and give." It sounds like a comeback, but the repeated "give" also hints at someone who feels used or unappreciated. The mood is a mix of childlike bluntness, hurt pride, and a little dark humor. The short, rhyming lines feel like a playground retort, which makes the speaker seem both funny and vulnerable. The title also leaves an open question: who is disgusted, and who is being disgusting?

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