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Butters Drippin From My Elbows

Butters Drippin’ From My Ears

Summer’s mostly over
I’ve not once mentioned Iowa corn.
It’s the symbol of the state
In which this rhymer’s born.

There are other places
That grows passable “sweet” corn.
I’ve eaten several others
But my druthers always torn.

In dead of winters dreary days
And it’s all the markets got
That “shipped in” product
May pacify the corn longing spot.

But when Iowa summer’s here
Weathers so hot & steamy.
There’s nothing like fresh corn
With melted butter. . .  so creamy.

I’ve always thought eatin’ corn
Was the most sensible fashion reason
Hot butter drippin’ off my elbow
Makes short sleeves so now in season

We start dreaming of its coming
As soon as local gardening starts
Sweet corn & vine ripe tomatoes
Are close to this old couples hearts.

There are various spots to buy it
Lots of small, road side venders.
There are local “farmers markets”
Even “organic” stores for heavy spenders. 

But my wife has a favorite seller
So weeks early we start spying.
To find that special farm fell'er
Many years his ears has been buying.

When she says, going out the door
”I’m going to see the little man”
I know I’m in for a real corn treat.
She’ll soon return with ears in hand.

It’s always cool and fresh picked
The husks are tight, the color bright.
The ears are chuck full of kernels
And almost never a bug in sight. 

We get them all shucked
The waters now boiling
But the season is short
Soon there will be no more toiling.

We close out the season
Cut a few ears for the freezer.
Soon we’ll be saying “Good-by”
To this special taste “pleaser”.

Written by oldbuck after another
wonderful home cooked meal that
included “Iowa” corn on the cob.

Copyright © Old Buck | Year Posted 2015

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Dan Cwiak Date: 10/8/2015 6:00:00 PM I'm a corn lover too, but I'm not privy to the local Iowa varieties until they show up at the store. I do look forward to the season, and like you, my elbows drip with butter. Nice write! Login to Reply Old Buck Date: 1/5/2017 7:10:00 PM Dan: I apologize for not responding to your comment sooner. I don't think I received notice of it. . . . . but at any rate, Thank you and I'm glad you found some enjoyment in my work. oldbuck

Edlynn Nau Date: 9/8/2015 6:20:00 PM My favorite line: "She'll soon return with ears in hand." Clever! Login to Reply

Edlynn Nau Date: 9/8/2015 6:17:00 PM You don't need much detail..you are a total tweaker! Ha! Looks good to me! Login to Reply

Edlynn Nau Date: 9/7/2015 9:11:00 PM Our County Fair is always Labor Day & the Corn-on-the-Cob is straight out of our fields. I was hungry for this little ditty from the start. I should've had my dinner first! THIS WAS FUN! TWEAKS: (if your interested, in suggestions), 5th verse, 2nd line, Get rid of first word "It" just not needed, redundant since It is the same as CORN at the end of previous verse. So just do: I've always thought eaten corn, WAS the sensible fashion AND reason (you can add "and" now since your syllable count remains the same w/o IT). Verse 8, WEEKS could end the first line and be clearer (especially easy tweak since you rhyme every other line). Then next line could read: "AND early on we start spying" Write out "&". My best assist! Edlynn Login to Reply Old Buck Date: 9/8/2015 5:33:00 PM Edlynn: Thanks for your heads up. I'm not much for details like that but made a couple changes that may help. oldbuck

Lindsay Laurie Date: 9/1/2015 7:01:00 PM G'day Old Buck... yep, nothing better than a corn cob smothered in butter; steamed, grilled, and even raw - thank you Old Buck - Lindsay Login to Reply Old Buck Date: 9/1/2015 7:18:00 PM Lindsay: My wife has found the micro wave does a quick job of bringing the corn up to "steam". :o) A couple ears on my plate, along side some vine ripened tomatoes covered in cottage cheese. Oh my. the season is too short. I'm glad you enjoyed those images. oldbuck