It was a long while before I took a chance
to taste the dirt umbrellas of my youth
as they sat there on the plate in
their dung coloured glory, swimming in
the pale liquid of their demise.
It was easier to gulp down the
sharp sweetness of the addictive toxic squares
that greeted my mornings,
to savour the sting of artifice
in the quiet moments before school.

A Farmer’s Market found in a forest off a country road near the town of St. Jacobs in Ontario, Canada.
I wanted to share a poem that I wrote at the workshop I attended recently (on Food Poetry) at the “West End Food Festival” here in Vancouver, B.C. We were challenged to change the name of common foods in our poems and as a group we came up with some pretty interesting new names – I chose to write about ” dirt umbrellas/mushrooms” and “addictive toxic squares/pop tarts” as well as try to capture a childhood memory!
Love this, brings back memories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Mom! I can still taste those warm pop tarts and I’m happy to say that I eat all kinds of mushrooms these days.
LikeLike
Oh, my gosh…this is wonderful…I’ve read nothing like it…what a fantastic approach to creative writing…you have a wonderful imagination and capacity for abstract thinking…this was utterly delightful! Also, I love St. Jacobs. Thanks for sharing š
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a thrill to read your encouraging words, I was hesitant to post this poem – it was written in the space of just a few minutes and I left it in it’s raw state! After reading your words, I’m glad I did, thank you so much!
LikeLike
I love poetry and I love food so this was absolutely brilliant! And the workshop sounds really cool
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for stopping by! I appreciate your thoughts and glad you enjoyed my poem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! This is wonderful. The rush of sweet childhood memories served on a platter of the most amazing, colorful food of young life gone by. The very thought brings a smile:))))
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you again for your wonderful words, I’m so happy you stopped by, it made my day!
LikeLike
Oh Kim, How wonderfully visual this epicurean voyage from childhood to now. Bravo. Love the pumpkins too. Glad that you are back in Vancouver. Big hug dear neighbour and big love too.ā¤ļøš¹
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much (always!) for your thoughts – I’m still adjusting to being back and catching up. Looking forward to posting more pictures from Ontario, we traveled far and wide!
LikeLike
Glad to see you back again..i must say its been a while..
I love this one…beautiful imagery..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! I really treasure your comments…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I knew exactly what you were talking about with “dirt umbrellas ” lolol šš
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you enjoyed the read!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is awesome! Very unique. Thank you for sharing. Many blessings š
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you enjoyed this poem – thank you so much for your thoughts and blessings!
LikeLiked by 1 person