Andrea Dietrich Poet Dodoitsu

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 April 26, 2013 at 1:54 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 January 11, 2012 at 7:28 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 December 27, 2011 at 11:57 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 December 23, 2011 at 8:54 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 December 20, 2011 at 2:20 PM LOL, great fun, Andrea - I hope you don't choke on the prize in the cake!!

Robert Johnson December 18, 2011 at 2:02 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 December 18, 2011 at 9:45 AM very fun to read,,,and your idea for this contest is incredable,,,nice poem...

Deck Fitzgerald December 18, 2011 at 8:05 AM Enjoyed as always , happy holidays Andrea . Declan

Matthew Anish December 17, 2011 at 9:57 PM What a tasty poem! You have soup mail. Peace & Love Matthew Anish

Bl Devnath December 17, 2011 at 6:27 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 December 17, 2011 at 12:22 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 December 17, 2011 at 11:03 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 December 17, 2011 at 10:36 AM Andrea this is so funny-wish I'd thought of it!!! I wish you much luck in the contest

Dalila Agtani December 17, 2011 at 9:33 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 December 17, 2011 at 9:03 AM It all sounds good to me.

Judy Ball December 17, 2011 at 8:08 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 December 17, 2011 at 7:09 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 December 17, 2011 at 12:23 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 December 16, 2011 at 11:27 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 December 16, 2011 at 11:16 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.