Best Chutney Poems
Nested in the cat’s cradle
Paraded in a child’s fable
I have no voice, don’t let me die
No longer shall I live a lie
I have no soul nor thoughts to save
Unbeknownst to me is
this life beyond the grave?
A designer dainty as she
silky essence she creeps upon so free
and with sheer elegance
unveils a painted lady in a trance
Wake me before the dream ends
In this a lie I can’t depend
Ochre paint splat on walls
Tinted forewings so not to fall
Hindwings I hold up in pain
Fragile chitin, scales, and veins
Bleeding strokes of mango chutney
Opera gloves cobalt blue, cloak impunity
Wake me up! Before I drop
Still asleep, a standing prop
And when I open my eyes
I’ll have wings like butterflies
The bitter truth sounds insane
Blends of electronic elements
Mesh makes perfect sense distasteful
Nestled neatly prim and graceful
Kept in the dark where it’s unfair
Wake me lest I vanish in thin air
In my dream a translucent permanence
I stand alone and have woken an evanescence
I leave my home in Trinidad
And I come to live in America
And now I working at Kmart
Whole day at a cash register
But I do have a lot of problems
Every time I get hungry to eat
all it has is a bunch of junk food
Or bread with some artificial meat
So I decide to take all my money
And invested it in a food van
Is about time I introduce to America
The tasty cooking of we Trinidadian
And I though for the first few days
That business will be real slow
Boy, but I was so wrong
now I see people line up for so
So I open up with trini breakfast
Smoke herring with tomato and roti
Baggi, Pumpkin, baigan and aloo
Fried bodi ,doubles and fever grass tea
It’s the first time they tasting Doubles
The chutney burning some of them nose
One guy look like he from Russia
Drop some curry channa on his cloths
I get all the recipes from my brother
“naz cuisine” The best food in Trinidad’
Some people start complimenting
Saying, it’s the best they ever had
A white man faced turns red
Eating the double with plenty pepper
But he says how he likes it
It has a very nice flavor
And For lunch I roll out the big guns
All different kind of talkari
Goat, duck chicken and fish
Bake and shark, bush up shut and dhalpurrie
Two Puerto Rican girls
One looks like Mariah Carey
They order dhal, rice, and goat meat
Saying how they love the curry
And every body line up
They love the curry real bad
And every body talking about the curry
the curry man from Trinidad
From my stove comes hot roti
Tomato choka and fry plantain
Since morning people line up
Waiting for the Trinidad cooking
And now is evening everything sells out
I didn’t even keep one roti for me
And now I feel real hungry
So I guess I will buy a bucket of KFC
Masala dosa
Spicy veges massla wrapped in crispy crunchy roll and sambar, coconut chutney.
It's a South Indian dish my mom used to prepare at home for three of us and we used to be counting who could eat the max.
Written Nov 6th, 2015
For contest- Food and our memory connections
Sponsor- Andrea Dietrich
Awarded 2nd place win
From all over they coming
See them parking every where
All kinds of food they bringing
Rum, sweet drinks and cold beer
See them on the beach walking
Under the Trinidad sun
And when you hear them talking
Its trini people having fun
See them in the sea bathing
Salt water in their hair
Some by the coconut tree drinking
All around a friendly atmosphere
And though they don’t know each other
They all has a positive attitude
Trinidadians are free sprit people
They are always in a happy mood
In beaches all around the country
This is the scene everywhere
Trinidad people like their beach lime
They coming from far and near
Shirley in the front seat eating
Chicken pelau and potato salad
Rianna making mango chow
That girl like her pepper to bad
Riad get drunk in a party last night
Now he drinking coconut water
Roger tells him “boy drinks some carib
If you want to recover
And with the trade winds blowing
Dry coconut falling on the ground
And you hear all kind of music playing
Soca, chutney, and Indian song
A woman Curry Duck cooking on a fire
Gosh it smelling good from over here
She takes out some in a plate and calls me
Trinidad people like to share
Chacachacare, Chaguaramas, Chagville
Blanchisseuse, Las Cuevas, Maracas Bay
Quinam, Cedros, Manzanilla,mayaro
Just a few beaches, people go to everyday
Trinidad and Tobago is a paradise
With the most friendly people in the world
The islands of the caribs and the arawaks
Of which lots of stories have been told
Some welcome all you visitors
And enjoy the mysteries of the islands
It’s the country I was born in
And I’m proud to be a Trinidadian
Spring rain
Swaying trees;
Howling wind
Wet cherry blossoms
Dewy flower carpet;
Trail of footsteps
This sudden splash
Vivid skyline colours;
Rainbow reminder
Eastern shores
Sea at high tide;
Misty translucence
Lovers by seaside
Sunset serenade;
Fragrant promises
Sunset strip
Winding pathway;
Moments slip away
Love wears a smile
Spontaneous feel;
Authentic embrace
Here by the bay
Seagulls congregate;
Birdsong sermons
Mango clusters
Ready harvest;
Chutney forthcoming
Vegetable mix
Salad dinner meal;
Cool sitcom heralds
Saturday newspapers
Extra thick volume;
Too much to digest
Years have mellowed
Old couple sit together;
Silently talking in smiles
Diabetic in wheelchair
Distraught temper;
Selling tissue packs
Touch of magic
Calm enlightenment;
Charm deposits
Bank queue at noon
Sea of faces;
Unknown agendas
Come let us see
Beyond creature comforts;
Confront hazards
Once upon a blue moon
This invitational;
Rites of passage
By and by,
The vast dark skies;
Awaiting thunder
Blur as a squid
This instance here;
Lost in translation
Joy in the rain
This funny feeling;
Live in sure verge
Leon Enriquez
26 Apr 2014
Singapore
Santa whats wrong with you
did u forget me
Why is there no girlfriend
Under my Christmas tree
You know I been a good boy
Didn't give any trouble this year
So tell me where's my gift Santa
Are you still flying in the air
Last year I ask you for a girlfriend
To spend my Christmas in trinidad
But you said I was misbehaving
So you only give one to my brother Azad
Well .2015. I was at my best behavior
You could ask my friends on Facebook
I didn't post not one bad word
Just go on my timeline and take a look
Christmas is almost here Santa
Just one more week to go
And I seeing so many nice single girls
Shopping down in San Fernando
And its so hard for me to choose one
Because the beauty factory in Trinidad never stops
It keeps producing nice girls one after another
The whole country is like one big candy shop
Last year you didn't bring me a girlfriend
Cause you said that I was very bad
But my nephew junior was on the naughty list
But still he has girls in San Fernando,penal and fyzabad
So just jump in your sleigh Santa
And come down to Trinidad and Tobago
And don't worry about that big red coat
Because down here we don't have no snow
santa i know you will like trinidad
and you will want to stay right here
cause you don't like the other countries
its why you visit them only once a year
This is the land of the humming bird
steel pan chutney soca and calypso
And the most beautiful women in the world
You will see where ever you go
So this year you promise me a girl
To spend Christmas with me
To open gifts with on Christmas eve
And cuddle under the Christmas tree
I want to wake up Christmas morning
with my beautiful trinidadian queen
and i will take her for breakfast
up in corinth junction by Naz Cuisine
So Santa don't waste no more time
Cause I'm waiting under my Christmas tree
Just work your Christmas magic
And send a Christmas girlfriend for me
You know that a Trini Christmas
Does have a party every where
Trinidadian like to have their parang
With rum,sorrel and Carib beer
And when Trini cook up their nice food
They does always like to share
So bring a Christmas girl for me Santa
And come and enjoy Christmas down here
The Lord he created the heavens and Earth,
the firmament, land sea and sky,
the flora, the fauna, and Adam and Eve
as the Bible says, but I ask why
does it not mention some of his finest designs
that we enjoy, living life to the full,
and without them all, life would not be a ball,
and in fact would be terribly dull.
Like cheese and tomato, a great combination,
alone, without dressing, they're fine,
and chutney, that's one of his mightiest creations,
on Pork pie, like God, it's divine.
That apple that hung on the tree of all knowledge,
'don't eat it' was the only rider,
Adam and Eve got a taste, what a terrible waste,
would have been better off in a Cider.
Real Ale- an invention that's not got a mention
'till Monks brewed, though I do have a hunch
that after creation, day seven God rested,
sat down to a fine ploughman's lunch.
Sometimes when my mind is restless and stressed,
From the humdrum of the daily grind,
I feel refreshed and chilled
By a cool drizzle following a soft breeze:
A drizzle of memories from the childhood,
Soothing and calming my worn out mind
Those joyful flashes of the past I treasure.
I cherish those summer evening walks to beach
With my sister, friends and her friends much elder,
As my childhood home was just a walking distance
To the vast blue Bay of Bengal;
With stiff balmy sea breeze tousling our hair,
We used to walk barefoot along the shore,
Feeling the water over our feet and the sand
And admire and wonder at the crabs
Making their homes in wet sand, so agile!;
The fun and laughter while building sandcastles
And collecting the variety of beautiful sea shells-
I still remember one such occasions
When it started drizzling suddenly:
A soft, gentle, short summer rain,
And dancing in the drizzle became all the more fun.
Back home and after a bath, I remember
Devouring those delicious hot medu vadas,
That mom used to make for us
With her special coconut chutney;
I cherish the taste of those vadas and hot tea
That still lingers in my mouth...
Those were moments the very thought of which,
Makes me feel like dancing in joy:
For they were bounded with love, laughter and fun,
And my heart beats gently to those rhythms -
Sweet familiar rhythms of the drizzle of memories
A drizzle of memories of joy I cherish
That forever I hold dear!
Date: 04/04/2021
Submitted for: Writing Prompt - Cherish - Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Constance La France
Note:
1. Medu Vada: Medu vada is a crispy fluffy South Indian snack.
2. Coconut chutney: Coconut chutney is a side dish accompanying a variety of Indian snacks and breakfast items.
Brown sugar sapotas
Blending with custard alfonso mangos
And bold sweet lime juice
Georgette saris
Pairing with uncut diamond necklaces
Mixed with peals and rubies
Gently sloping palm trees
Swaying in balmy sultry air
And hazy golden sunsets
Frenetic yellow autos
Competing with dusty zipping mopeds
Mixed with ambulating pedestrians
Aromas of cumin
Blending with the sewage
Other times with incense
Glows of brass oil lamps
Singing in hums of prayer
Added with turmeric's incantations
Brightly-patterned salwars
Accentuating gemstone bindis
Comfy fitted leggings
Savory masala dosas
Coupling coconut chutney
Meter-high filter coffee
I know I do this every time I think of you
I end up with a stiff little pickle and in a flipping mess
Now I know you think it’s saucy and like to have a laugh
But I’m the one with spicy piccalilli all over my flaming lap
I relish the challenge in being a pickle in a tight squeeze
For this little pickle marinades himself in honey from a bee
You may think that a pickle and honey wouldn’t go together
But I can rest assure you they are actually the spice of life
A condiment together, and though you chutney sometimes
I always relish dipping my little pickle in your honey pot
Can’t wait to savoury spread your legs and syrup my pickle in
For honey you are the sweetest dessert that there’s ever been.
ps: If you ever need to find me I’ll be in the supermarket isle - savouries and sauces.
Don’t know her name
She’s so beautiful
Like the morning sun
And when she smiles
Your heart will be gone
She dress like a pirate
Like a lady in red
Since I saw her picture
Can’t get her out my head
She likes the beaches
The water under her feet
She’s always so cool
even in the heat
Sometimes she’s quiet
Lost in her own world
She’s the kind of beauty
Of whom legends been told
Even when she’s pouring
Guyanese rum in a glass
Everything that she does
You want the image to last
She’s cooking chicken
Lentil peas and rice
Her cloths got some curry
She looks so cute and nice
She knows terry gajraj
The bob Marley of chutney
Add him on face book
He’s a good friend to me
She looks like model
Wearing her oldest dress
She looks like a beauty queen
Although her hair’s in a mess
Walking around some where
Is the luckiest man in the world?
And it will be whose ever
Gets the heart of this girl
I don’t have chance
So I won’t even bother
I will just write this poem
and fall in love with her
A man can be a mountain
But love can make him a fool
Some women will love him
And some will treat him cruel
She’s out of my league
So time to let it go
But she if look in my eyes
Then She will surly know
And I never told her
So got myself to blame
For falling for a girl
When I don’t know her name
All the Pickled produce gathered
At Branston Manor - if you please!
They entered via a staircase
Made of Jacob's Crackers and Cheese.
The Gherkin Girls and Chutney twins,
Who's names are Tom and Mango
Compete against the Beetroot Troupe
To make the taste buds Tango!
The Beetroot Troupe are not alone.
They have a wise old friend
Zingy Mr. Vinegar.
Always ready to defend.
The Silverskins call upon
The Shallots acapella choir
To pack a punchy added flavour
In a pitch that can't go higher.
The sour Grapes sulk in the corner.
They apparently should not have come.
Only Pickles were invited.
It was not open to everyone.
The Eggs got pickled with too much drink.
They thought it would be fun
To gatecrash the party
Just to confuse everyone!
It was an event to be remembered.
But alas, though sad to say
The party ended abruptly.
For they were consumed that very day!
Written 18th August 2022
For the, "It's A Pickle Party Contest"
Sponsor: Mystic Rose Rose
Sleigh bells ring, do finish shopping, the countdown is on,
Be kind enough to spare your precious hours two or more
Being Indians, we’re quite new to this kind of celebration
Welcome to my “Holiday home” at this special time of year
We borrowed two whimsical trees flanking the front door
A large, chunky garland ready to greet you as you will enter
With Santa saying “The end of the world is home” as you enter
Welcome to my “Holiday home” at this special time of year
Our humble dining room features all things traditional
These *Laxmi ornaments of gold bring sparkle and color
Wish I could keep this glittery peacock our bird national
Welcome to my “Holiday home” at this special time of year
Here is our sitting room is done in a theme musical
The tree filled with ornaments of gold, green and copper
We’re in the kitchen; here we decided to go whimsical
Welcome to my “Holiday home “at this special time of year.
Oh, so hard to bypass the yummy treats for our tummies
Crown Pork Roast, *Jalebi and ladoos, curry and cauliflower
Baked brie, prime rib, *pakodas with Chutney, and cookies
Welcome to my “Holiday home” at this special time of year.
Bear with me as we are vegetarians we have our dishes.
And for desserts, peanut butter cookies and candies there
Fresh snow dripping out, please move to the safe recesses
Welcome to my “Holiday home” at this special time of year
*********
*Indian name**Indian delicacies,
==========================================
Tenth Place Win in
Contest: Holiday Poem by P.D.
I am in India and enjoying the Diwali Holidays, today being the last day
of the Diwali festival.
Perforation.
“On the top what do you like”? She asked me.
“I don’t know”, I replied.
At that time my reply appeared
Baked potato and chutney.
She grinned.
I asked, “To you”?
She replied, “um, me, love,
Who loves me a great, I like that.”
Our eyes met
Whether answer was there
I don’t know.
Later she married with a foreign doctor.
I’m still thinking
whether she found her loving destination.
One day I saw her
Alone in the market with a pram.
I stepped towards her in traffic jam.
Red light didn’t turn into green.
I remained awaiting a long perforation.
A short dissertation on a natural phenomenon
That takes place many times every day
Sometimes at the most inopportune moments
Like in a theatre at a Shakespearian play
If the emission has a really pungent odour
Folks will certainly notice the foul breeze
However, the criteria is it must be silent
As you inadvertently cut the cheese
An essence of chutney is actually not bad
If accompanied by a hint of geraniums
But these highfaluting people must be warned
It can sometimes damage their craniums
So that's all I will say about this taboo subject
Hope you enjoyed it as I did from the start
Please don't call it a vulgar flatulence
Just call it by its happy name... fart!