A Special Treat

When I was old enough, my mom
Would send me to the store,
Specifically, the bakery,
For treats I did adore.

But first, I had to ask them for
A rye bread they would slice,
With seeds, of course, or else
A pumpernickel would suffice.

And then some Linzer tarts for her,
Those filled with berry jam;
Then finally, the cakes
That made me happy as a clam.

Their name was Charlotte Russe,
A sponge cake in a cardboard sleeve,
With whipped cream and a cherry – 
Just too perfect to believe!

They put them in a cardboard box
For me and my two bros
And tied it with a red-striped string,
As all of Brooklyn knows.

Today I wouldn’t like them – 
Linzer tarts have more appeal – 
But with a Charlotte Russe, back then,
How happy I would feel!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Johnson Avatar
October 26, 2021 at 9:10 AM
Mmmm. See ya' later. Off to the bakery I go. :)
Goldsmith Avatar
October 23, 2021 at 2:40 PM
Your "A Special Treat" is a wonderful story/write. The pumpernickel bread and whipped cream~cherry cake sound great. Now I want to eat. Have a blessed autumn day writing away.................
Wolf Avatar
October 21, 2021 at 5:18 PM
All I need is the (fresh) pumpernickel, and I'm in 7th Heaven. Cheers, ilene!
Rigoler Avatar
October 20, 2021 at 11:20 AM
There's nothing like the ambience of a bakery shop! In my boy days akery goods were brought to each house by van that opened from the back exposing its treats for the day. My favorite was also y grandmothers – a small white double layered cake enrobed in inch high vanilla frosting! Sadly small family bakeries have disappeared. / Maurice
Leffanta Avatar
October 20, 2021 at 9:31 AM
Your last line is a classic! Enjoyed!
Hankins Avatar
October 19, 2021 at 2:30 PM
Oh, how lucky you were to have a bakery close by that could fashion these marvelous treats. I've never had the opportunity to taste the one's you mentioned, but I'd love to. I wouldn't even care about the impact on my diabetes. I'd just scarf them down, enjoy, and lick my lips!!! Wonderful!
Allison Avatar
October 19, 2021 at 2:26 PM
what a delight to the senses in this tasty treat you served up for us today, gosh what memories for me as my father loved rye bread and pumpernickel, and it would be linzer tarts for me too Ilene they are delicious:-) hugs Jan xx
Logan Avatar
October 19, 2021 at 1:55 PM
I have a wicked sweet tooth, Ilene. It would’ve been difficult to get those things home without a taste. Fun write.
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