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So That's Why All the Bad Luck Lately

"Eat poor that day, eat rich the rest of the year. Rice for riches and peas for peace." - Southern saying on eating a dish of Hoppin' John on New Year's Day. The first of twelve grapes eaten quickly at midnight was sour. January will be bad. Better eat one more! Collard greens I despise are folded large bills on my plate. Legumes represent mere coins. I’ll eat tons of beans! Pigs push forward; chickens don’t. Hating pork, I can’t progress. Eating noodles for long life - Oops, my noodle broke! Fish and round foods give good luck. I don’t eat fish. No matter. I might find the lucky prize in the New Year’s cake. Note: Mentioned in this poem were some of the more common foods of the New Year dinner and the traditions surrounding them. For Russell Sivey's Good Luck Meal Contest

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Debbie Duncan

Date: 4/26/2013 1:54:00 AM

interesting ,,,, glad you liked my Lessons on Humanity ;} was just reading , then I just started writing what I was going thru my head ;}

Carol Sunshine Brown

Date: 1/11/2012 7:28:00 AM

I am stopping by to thank you for sharing your poetry with us Andrea. I would also like to thank you for your kind comments on my poetry. Love, Carol

Phyllis Babcock

Date: 12/27/2011 11:57:00 AM

Funny little sayings with food. This is something I have not heard of and is new to me. I guess there is a lot of traditions in every culture. love phyl

Janet Vick

Date: 12/23/2011 8:54:00 AM

I guess bad luck follows when you don't eat the "good luck" foods! I like collards myself, so I should have better luck. Enjoyed reading. Take care. Janet

Jack Horne

Date: 12/20/2011 2:20:00 PM

LOL, great fun, Andrea - I hope you don't choke on the prize in the cake!!

Robert Johnson

Date: 12/18/2011 2:02:00 PM

Lima beans is what it means to have love in your life. So rice and peas down on your knees will bring new blessings for all to please. Soup time.

John Aaron Green

Date: 12/18/2011 9:45:00 AM

very fun to read,,,and your idea for this contest is incredable,,,nice poem...

Deck Fitzgerald

Date: 12/18/2011 8:05:00 AM

Enjoyed as always , happy holidays Andrea . Declan

Matthew Anish

Date: 12/17/2011 9:57:00 PM

What a tasty poem! You have soup mail. Peace & Love Matthew Anish

Bl Devnath

Date: 12/17/2011 6:27:00 PM

Beautifully worded my friend, I like fish and Chicken and will enjoy in the New Year. You are invited. Thanks for sharing and best of luck in the contest. bl

Daver Austin

Date: 12/17/2011 12:22:00 PM

Step on a crack - break your mother's back, eh? I don't eat much fish (hardly any) either. When company suggests Red Lobster I kind of choke and quickly change the subject. This is you usual fine writing, dear. I have contacted the soup and found that no one has blocked you. I will try Connie once again to see if she can change things. My carrier, so far is unresponsive, but it must be their fault somehow. Love, daver

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 12/17/2011 11:03:00 AM

Andrea, I've heard that collard and mustard greens must be eaten on New Years to ensure prosperity/wealth in the coming year. Some say white rice should also be eaten for purity. When I have fish for dinner, I always feel lucky. Great entry for Russell's contest. Best wishes for success! (I hope my card found its way to you.) Love, Carolyn

Natalie The Rogue Rhymer

Date: 12/17/2011 10:36:00 AM

Andrea this is so funny-wish I'd thought of it!!! I wish you much luck in the contest

Dalila Agtani

Date: 12/17/2011 9:33:00 AM

Andrea Nice piece. OK, I'm not Chinese but I will wear polka dots on New Year's day! Too bad when you can afford to eat rich, that is the time you really cannot afford! Good luck in the contest. May the holidays bring you happy moments with your family, friends and to the people you care about! Dalila

Tony Lane

Date: 12/17/2011 9:03:00 AM

It all sounds good to me.

Judy Ball

Date: 12/17/2011 8:08:00 AM

This is great Andrea. My mom always made ham hocks and collard greens for New Year's Day. We ate it with corn bread and lots of butter and of course iced tea. Born and raised a Florida Cracker but moved to Canada with my husband and children in 1976. Been here ever since. Loved this my friend. God Bless and Merry Christmas and a Much Blessed New Year. JB

Richard Moriarty

Date: 12/17/2011 7:09:00 AM

In my house the only thing allowed on New Years' Day are black eye peas, cooked cabbage, fresh ham and cornbread...without that, the rest of year is going to be bad/sad...then I do the southwest diet...loved your poem, thank you, Big

Gwendolen Song

Date: 12/17/2011 12:23:00 AM

Ok...diet is ON HOLD!!! lol. This is fun and full of great foods...u will rock the winners' list!! Good luck...as tho u won't need it. lol. Hot mail awaits u....sizzle sizzle. It's hot off the press. Gwendolen

Kash Poet

Date: 12/16/2011 11:27:00 PM

An interesting write on good luck meal.Enjoyed.I don't have any idea of this.Have to google about it.Happy weekend,Andrea.

Charles Henderson

Date: 12/16/2011 11:16:00 PM

The only one of these I knew was the collard greens. There's already a big pot of them on the stove. Good poem. Hope it does well.