Best Fixings Poems
It’s the time of the year to make a steaming hot soup
To remember some of the best in our poetry group*
When I make soup I throw in everything I have in stock
My hot poetry soup will consist of many from our flock.
I will begin with a large piece of prepared Cunningham
Into the pot, to which I’ll add broth of Balasubramanian
Next, I’ll add spices of Ellison, Allison, and Krutsinger
Cooking for awhile at a medium to hot temperature.
I toss in helpings of sweet McIntosh, Rodriguez, Canerdy,
Buehler, Weiss, Proxenos, and lots of bold Choudhury.
I let the soup come to a boil, adding Logan and Dietrich
Turning it down to simmer soon after adding Kendrick
I cover it over with Gentile, mixing in Flood and Pinet
I let it bubble gently, perhaps, for the entire day
By now, my soup has grown and I am feeling rashly
Because I failed to add in some La France and Ashley!
Uncovering, I’ll add them both to the wonderful fixings,
Quickly tossing Wolf, Jacob, and MRR into the mixings.
The “sweet smell of success” makes me break into song
For its perfectly clear with Poetry Soup, I can’t go Wong.
#39 on Top 100 Poems of the Month
Poetry Soup, November 3, 2021
written November 1, 2021
[*My sincerest apologies to the many
marvelous poets I could not fit into my soup!
Please forgive me!]
You don't always wear mascara
But there's something about your eyes
Your makeup doesn't scare us
Something simple is your surprise
You can't hide what God gave you
Under those shirt and pants
And though you didn't bother
There is still something about your hair
Your not afraid of working
The fixings of here and there
You never find me watching
But sometimes I do stare
With you I find the deepest love
I could ever have
Because your simply beautiful
Without the paint and all that jazz
The list is enormous, I will try to think of the seasons
Loving autumn, fresh start at school with new teachers
Football games, hot apple cider, plaid skirts, freshly cut hair
Some of the things I am crazy about in August and September
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, so I am thankful for it
Loving the costumes, masks, hats, lovely jack-o-lanterns,
The ambiance of the haunted house, ghosts, ghouls, goblins
Loving the magnificent witches on their flying brooms
November brings many favorite foods that interest me
Thanksgiving means a twenty-pound turkey with all the fixings
Mashed potatoes, gravy, scalloped corn, hot sweet rolls,
Pumpkin pie with an enormous dollop of whipped cream
Am I thankful for December? Are you kidding? Santa Claus and Jesus?
Christmas trees, bubble lights, tinsel, glorious colors and kindnesses.
I am semi-thankful for January’s idea of a fresh new start.
Valentines Day used to be a big deal. Not as much anymore.
I adore spring; she brings yellow daffodils, violets, Queen Anne’s lace
My nose is grateful for the fragrances of lavender, lilacs and lilies.
And of course, summer is always a thrill, for it was my largest vacation
As I taught school for thirty years.
I should eat healthy, I really should! But life is too short for that. Food, food, food,
it chases away the blues, it brings comfort to the soul. So here is a list of the foods
that I L.O.V.E. and that make me happy. You will note a theme of cheese and
dripping butter (and chocolate) . . .
a chocolate bar, anytime
bananas, green, not ripe
crackers and cheese, as a snack
drenched in blue cheese, salads and homemade croutons
even, tortilla chips and chunky salsa
French fries from a chip wagon (on my way home from the gym)
grandma's recipe for beef stew with loads of vegetables and a rich gravy
hamburgers and hotdogs off the barbeque with all the fixings
ice-cream, chocolate of course
just out of the oven, french bread
keep the donuts and coffee coming
loads of meatballs, made from mom's recipe (in a sweet tangy sauce)
macaroni made with three kinds of cheese
nothing better, than spaghetti with meat sauce and parmesan cheese
onion soup, french canadian style, dripping with cheese
pizza, deluxe (peanut butter on toast before bed)
quick take out of chicken wings with hot sauce
really, really old cheddar cheese
steaming cobs of corn, dripping with butter and salt
tomato, bacon, and lettuce sandwich
until I say stop, chocolate
vegetables fresh for a farmers market
what is wrong with me, this is all so unhealthy
x-tra, of everything, please
yogurt with strawberries on the bottom
zesty dill pickles, aged one year
______________________________
June 24, 2016
Poetry/List/The Joy Of Food
Copyright Protected, ID 16-804-040-0
All Rights Reserved. Written under Pseudonym.
Well, It was early in the morning
when I stuck the turkey in
Looked down at my dog
as I wore a silly grin
Roasted Turkey, was high up on his list
And He glanced up at me
then looked back as his dish
I guessed he had me trained well
for I understood his sign
But told him it's a big bird
and it'll have to take some time
Then I started getting ready
all the fixings for our feast
Twenty different vegetables
to complement the beast
Then I set the dining table
with Knives forks and dishes
Uncovering the pies
Each one looked more delicious
I nestled in a basket
bread baked the day before
and finished all the trimmings
when a knock came at our door
Our friends and our families
started pouring in our house
and greeted rather cheerfully
by my kids, my dog and spouse
Then, we all circled 'round
the table with a smile
Working all day long
seemed, well worth the while
It was time for the turkey
Now the appetizer gone
But, when I looked in the oven
I forgot to turn it on.
by the time you've read this
i'm afraid our ships may have
already boarded i do hope
you are not to ravished about
our departure truly you and i both
know it tis for the best why going over
this blatantly i'm surely open
to explore other options
why the writer's block being stricken
with only notions above a sullen
romance novel my skin crawls
as my pen stroll over the pages
dainty an yet a more masculine style
as well not drawing to much fame
among what westerns might see
as lyrical cynical chants of breathless
panting i was being smothered
darning socks at old abe's cabin
all the fixings for boredom my mind
has marveled in more subtle
glory day's of war and peace and love
tainted you know full well tainted
only above corruptions sphere
what are we but man to fear not
human emotions as i blend morale
simplicity to bind just so while
summer continues setting over the niles
let us wave goodbye to august again
The Deception of the American Public - A Satire
By Elton Camp
I’m so shocked I don’t know what to say
We are shorted out of an inch at Subway
About that delicious inch, I really care
Without it, I leave as hungry as a bear
At the place’s greed, I stand appalled
Even if I can have fixings, one or all
To measure, I’m not sure how to begin
What if tomatoes stick out from the end?
The bun’s length is the standard I guess
But I’ve never measured it, I confess
I want every millimeter coming to me
But does Subway management agree
If so, when the bread they shape
They’ll apply to each a measuring tape
The counter help will measure again
To steal that inch is a horrid sin
What’s good business they ought to see
Because that inch is important to me
Oh, to Christmas days of wonder (days of wonder),
finding gifts so we will not blunder(not blunder);
Christmas is twelve days of gladness and joy, days of gladness and joy,
for each person a gift, each child a toy.
We sing a Christmas song (under mistletoe kiss me),
sing a Christmas song (baking cookies in the kitchen) and decorate our tree,
outside the window the snow is falling down white;
we light the chimney and watch it dance with glee.
We dress warm and go skating,
and later a snow man creating;
we drink hot chocolate warm inside,
we do not forget who on Christmas died.
On Christmas Eve we go to church,
in wonder on my wooden pew I perch;
I bow my head in prayers sad,
we walk home in the cold snowy night;
and we are hugging, happy and glad.
At home we have a wonderful meal,
the turkey and fixings sure do appeal;
all Christmas day family visit us,
it sure was worth all the work and fuss.
A Canadian .... (Christmas season),
with family .... ( joy is the reason);
a true Canadian does not care about the cold,
Canada is frosty at Christmas(but beautiful to behold).
Poetry/Lyric/Christmas In Canada
Copyright Protected, ID 10-1587-959-23
All Rights Reserved, 2023, Constance La France
A certain poet said she was thrilled, sitting down
Viewing world of us, mounting PS's platform
yes, she was ecstatic, maneuvering keys
On borrowed time and gadget, she wouldn't leave
A day of family gathering, she stole moments alone
Twiddled with words that led her on and on
Thoughts and smiles were shared, on sheets of white
I was in awe, poetry soup to her was such delight
Coy lioness with Jamaican warmth in her eyes
Her poems found spot in anthologies, undisguised
I Hope she's cooking up her best, sans stress
She would laced exotic smells to Soup fixings, no less
Poets arrive then disappear; but some we worry about
Some refresh our taste buds; so what do we do when they're out?
*
Entry for Tony T. Curtis's, 'Where Do Poets Go' contest
It's funny how we associate things. They become one with each other. Who can imagine an Easter without the bunny, or losing a tooth and not being paid a visit by the tooth fairy. And Christmas would be unthinkable without Santa. So that is why, I guess, that I still remember one particular Thanksgiving from my youth.
Back then, turkeys at the market were fresh, not frozen and encased in plastic as they are today. They also represented an extra expense on an already tight food budget. So my mother made arrangements with the market manager to set up a layaway of sorts, paying some each week, and they promised to hold one for her.
I remember when, on the afternoon before Thanksgiving day, she sent me over to the grocer to pick up the turkey. I jumped on my bike and rode downtown to Converse Market. Walking up to the door, I found it locked. Shading my eyes, I pressed my nose against the window and saw that all the lights were off. Turns out they had closed early that day to give their employees a little more time to spend with their families.
When I returned home and told my mother what had happened, the look on her face was one of devastation. What would Thanksgiving be without a turkey? I thought my dad would be mad, but instead he just said “we've got food in the house don't we”? And we did.
So, although the letdown of a Thanksgiving without the traditional bird could have been a disaster, on that particular day, we chose instead to give thanks for what we had, and, as a family, dived into our pork chops with all the fixings.
11/19/2011
you'd beckoned my thoughts again
through sudden whispers
i've declined to respond morbidly
catering to the quaint findings
of life after death a quiet calm
arose over shattered fixings
wildly i'd mastered the gory details
hindering my every whim
childishly i catered to his robe
nestled beneath wrath carny
and the mild mannered masterpieces
torn between terror and sheer neediness
while captured beyond graveness
the sullen memory of where time resided
my inner self crawled eagerly i suppose
as my body bargained with my soul
a meaningful gesture giving my heart
infamous nudges arousing tattered bliss
mere ashes to be smeared throughout
the galaxy of fairness and the norm
The rains have lasted all the spring.
We’re longing for some sun.
With advent of the end of school
We look to June for fun.
The kids have found their bathing suits
And have them at the ready.
It’s not fair in vacation time
For rains to pour so steady.
The first nice weekend that we have,
We know where we’ll be going.
They have the hampers all cleaned out
For picnic food we’re stowing.
I will rise early on that day
And chicken I’ll be frying.
They each will ask for favorite foods
To please them, I’ll be trying.
Their daddy will gas up the car
And tell us all to hurry.
He’ll want to go while sun is out
And weather not a worry.
We’re heading for Cranberry Lake
Next to the picnic ground
Separating the two waters.
The other side is Puget Sound.
It’s all part of Deception Park,
Every visitor’s destination
When they’re in Northwest Washington,
One of most scenic states in Nation.
There will be a crowd of other folks,
All soaking up the sun
And trying out the waters
Eager for some summer fun.
Our son will try the diving board
To prove he can be bold,
The girls will test lake gingerly
and howl if it's too cold.
They will have hearty appetites
For all my picnic fixings.
I will have brought potato salad
And other salad mixing’s.
Chocolate cake and water melon,
Will be part of the desserts.
By now we are so hungry
We will eat until it hurts.
We’ll go home at the end of day
All happy and contented.
It has been one more special time
To keep us all cemented.
For Carol's " Picnic Time"contest Won no. 4
One day…
As I was getting ready to decorate for Christmas
I then remembered the so called tree I had last year
It was worse then a Charlie brown’s tree
Just a branch.. so many made fun of me
I thought hmm.. I have no money
What is the point.. of having a tree any ways
I mean really
Jesus is the reason for the Christmas season
Its not about a tree.. or something someone gives to thee
But it is about Jesus.. so why must I have a tree..
Truly there is no point.. is there???
I memo.. Then I prayed to God
I said My Lord.. please tell me..
What is the point of a Christmas tree
I mean I don’t really need one.. do I..
Then came a reply…
The Tree Represent the TREE OF LIFE
The Star Represents THE BIRTH OF CHRIST
The Lights represent ALL THE SOULS WHOM FOLLOW CHRIST
The bulbs represent.. THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT
The Garland represents THE STRENGHT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
that is wrapped around you and me.. in the Tree of life
the Tensile represents THE STREAMS OF LOVE SENT FROM ABOVE
the Presents represent.. THE GIVING OF LOVE TO ALL TO BEHOLD
I then said… My Lord if this be true..
Please forgive me…
Then allow me to have the Biggest Beautifullist Tree Ever
Then the next day…
God made a way..
I was given.. A 7 in ½ foot Colorado Spruce Tree
With a Beautiful Star.. that has an Angel that was lit inside of it
As I looked I was amazed…
Then I said Oh Lord.. Thank you.. it is Big and Beautiful..
But I have no money to buy lights ornaments’ decorations of such
But that’s alright for it is Beautiful just the way it is
Then the next day..
God made away..
I was given all the fixings for decorating the tree
There was many.. helped partake to decorate..
As I see… it is Beautiful as Ever
Thank you Jesus
For have given me…
Such a Big Beautiful Christmas Tree..
For every time I look upon this Tree
That you my Lord has Blessed me
I remember what you said
And I see Just How Much Love
And Beauty you have for me..
and for many… from thee
Come to Jesus
God's Love is FAR Beyond..
Beyond anything
even this Beautiful Blessing
of any Christmas Tree
This autumn night we'll have a harvest fest
With all the fixings it will be quite grand
The pie eating contest now starts things off
As each will eat until they win or drop
But it will end with the three legged race
The winning duo won by just a leg
While the harvest moon now shines so heavenly
Blank verse has an iambic pentameter but no rhyme
She was a woman full of stories.
They oozed out of her and onto her skirts.
When she shook them, verbs and adjectives flew onto the floor.
I watched them congregate around her ankles
Forming run-on sentences.
No wonder story-telling is so easy to her
She doesn’t even need a muse
She has all the fixings at her fingertips and her toes