Barbara Gorelick Poet Light Verse

The Mustard Plaster

When I was a kid, home remedies were the thing!
No trip to the doctor for a cold or bad cough..
Mama had a fix for near every hurt, big or small
or in between. The worst, the most dreadful, the
run and hide treatment..the Mustard Plaster!
Some flannel cut into big, big strips...Cover with
mustard until it drips..into the oven to get 
steaming hot..then slap that sucker on the spot.
Around your chest, fastened tight..must keep
it hot..althrough the night...It burned, it itched, and it
smelled to high heaven..Who knows if it helped at all..
but I do know that we learned not to voice 
minor discomfort..it had to be a real disaster..
cause if you complained.out came the Mustard Plaster!...

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Mitch White September 29, 2010 at 12:14 AM Hahaha you cracked me up- Congrats on the win

Kabuteng P.Ink K. September 17, 2010 at 8:07 AM Eww, haha actually this is the first time I've ever heard of mustard plaster-- very interesting! Super Congrats on your win :)-- nikko :)

Carol Sunshine Brown September 17, 2010 at 7:03 AM Congratulations Barbara on your win in Deborah Guzzi's contest "The Road to Well Ville" Love, Carol

Tahera Mannan September 17, 2010 at 5:37 AM What a torture to tie flannel with mustard. Loved your work. many congratulations for this win.

Andrea Dietrich September 16, 2010 at 8:10 PM AWesome way to describe a dreaded cure, Barbara. I have no idea how Deb was able to judge all these great entries, but congrats on your high place. LUv, Andrea

John Freeman September 16, 2010 at 5:35 PM Congratulations Barbara on your #3 mustard cure. Agape, Moses

Linda-Marie Sweetheart September 16, 2010 at 5:29 PM Congrats BG on your big win in Deb's contest with this great poem... enjoy another big win tonight with luv..

Carrie Richards September 16, 2010 at 3:53 PM I never had one of these, but heard a lot about them. But I do remember Mom rubbing Vicks over my chest, and then putting flannel over the sticky goo, tying it around my neck, and sleeping like that many a night! Long before Nyquil and all the other things came along. Perhaps we were better off then? Who knows!! Great poem, Barbara!! :)

Joyce Johnson September 16, 2010 at 3:30 PM Congratulations on your win. I too remember the infamous mustard plaster, but my mom pulled me out of pneumonia twice with them. This was before antibiotics. Love, Joyce

Carolyn Devonshire September 16, 2010 at 2:55 PM I knew this would be a winner, LNC. Congratulations! Love, Carolyn

Debbie Guzzi August 27, 2010 at 6:42 PM ohh yeah! my gram did this to me once? but I don't remember anything but the smell? OH yes! It did work! I felt like I could breath better! Thanks for the contest support! Light & Love

Phyllis Babcock August 26, 2010 at 9:40 PM I remember those days. You never went to a doctor unless it was very serious. Those mustard plasters were nice and hot. Sure glad they found penicillian for us folks. God Bless Phyl

Doris Culverhouse August 26, 2010 at 5:39 PM funny...mom has the caster oil story...

Carolyn Devonshire August 26, 2010 at 1:35 PM You had me laughing out loud! I wouldn't even mention I felt ill if I knew the dreaded Mustard Plaster would be used for treatment. I never heard of this remedy, but you described it well and I'm sure you feared it as a kid. Awesome poem for my favorites, LNC. Love, Carolyn

Ned Flanders August 26, 2010 at 1:28 PM Ha ha ha..there is a lot of true life poetry on the board today...enjoyed your misfortune..cheers.