On Saturday afternoons long ago, when cartoons faded from the TV’s glow
A teenager earned a modest pittance, to finish the week with his remittance
From coins for cans and chores to do, the basement became the work place too
A weekly ritual dust and sweep, and memories were polished for us to keep
Years rolled on yet still there lies, a wooden shelf with the writing of “pizza flies”
A phrase half-lost, a family thread, echoing something once misread
From allowance paid to words unclear, the past returns as I sit here
In chores, in jokes, we had a good time, it’s these small moments of which I write
Ooey, gooey pizza,
piled high with melty cheese.
Pizza's my favorite meal.
Greasy pepperoni,
spicy sausage too—
I can eat it every day.
Tempting smells
greet my nose
with a garlicky hello.
It's much too hot.
I cannot wait
to eat my slice of pizza.
His first delivery
The Retired Ladies Knitting Club
he knocked on the door
when opened they were all laughing
hysterically
he smiles but was curious
what's so funny?
they all said "ssshhhhhhhhh"
The second deliver
to the Painters Watercolor club
he was now amused
they too all laughing hysterically
he asked what's so funny?
they replied "sshhhhhhhhhh"
Next delivery
to the Gardeners Association
he walked in to a mob laughing
he was ok, what's so funny?
they all replied in unison
"sssshhhhhhhhhhh"
Now off to the Weekly Book Club Group
he was suspicious at this point
and yes, they too, all laughing uncontrolably
he couldn't resist
what's so funny?
the replies "shhhhhhhhhhhh"
The last deliver to a funeral home
at least they would not be laughing
to his surprise their laughter the loudest
he asked again, "what's so funny?"
reply the same, "shhhhhhhhhhhhh"
His shift over
he was mystified
at the laughter
but I guess
Silence was the answer
ssshhhhhhh LOL
Veggie Pizza, my favorite-
Enveloped in soft, stringy cheese.
Generous with broccoli sprouts,
Grated carrots, and mushrooms too!
Intermixed with sliced red peppers
Embedded in white pizza sauce.
Plus, it makes me feel extra well
Ingesting vegetables and fruit!
Zestfully, with a glass of wine,
Zanily adding healthful grapes!
And there! I have a balanced meal!
'Cause . . . I have been on a diet forever, I have
only dreamt of food I want to devour, like
munching on combination pizza
but, the day has arrived . . .
Inside the old style pizza restaurant I stand alone
noting all the possibilities
and order a small combo (it's a bit expensive).
The anticipation is torture, then it arrives
in my mind I feel a bit of guilt, but
only for a moment as I bite that cheese and sauce,
nestled green peppers, mushrooms on crisp crust, and . . .
Pepperoni galore.
I know tomorrow I go back on my diet.
Zoom, back to food dreams;
Zap, I will keep this memory,
and I say to myself . . . till the next time I cheat.
Poetic Spice Poetry Contest
1/28/2026
Sponsored by: Joseph May
Upon this eve, thy table seeks delight,
A golden disc, from Naples’ fiery womb.
Let mozzarella’s lace in creamy white
Crown crimson sauce from vine’s midsummer bloom.
Tomato pureed, seasoned with loving hands,
Basil, like emeralds strewn ‘cross the round,
A drizzle olive oil from sunlit lands,
And dough, once tossed, now baked to crisp and sound.
Rejoice! Thy order, numbered fifty-three,
Two slices taken, with a gentle smile.
The cost: ten coins and ninety cents to thee,
Paid to the chef within oven’s trial.
So keep this verse, thine invoice writ in rhyme,
For pizza’s pleasure, timeless and sublime.
Every Time
I Fall In Love
I Must Admit...
I'm Just Staring
At The Moon,
Most Of The Time.
I'll Never Apologize
Enough To You,
My Loving Stone
Companion...
Constant In Sorrow...
Silent Night.
-Gray Squirrel
12-04-2025
I just saw a pizza ad
the crust was golden brown
the cheese was gooey, pulled away nicely
red and green peppers looked fresh
I know it was a great ad
because I salivated while I watched it
and I do not like cheese
or pizza
The aroma drives everyone insane
Longing to bite into that delicious pie
Another Saturday night with friends
Wordku: 5-7-5 words
AP: Honorable Mention 2025
I love deep dish crust pizza
with tomato sauce
topped with green peppers, mushrooms,
and pepperoni,
with dripping hot cheese,
and crisp crust -
yum !
Life is too short,
God save the pizza,
Next week,
I will eat a pizza,
Neapolitan or Hawaiian,
A Breton or Norwegian pizza
A pizza filled with promises,
I will eat a pizza,
your taste buds will be in paradise,
The appetite comes by eating
Italy is on the plate,
life is too short,
A pizza changes life,
Tomatoes, cheeses, onions,
Salmon, mushrooms, fresh cream,
I salivate while writing it,
The pizza dough is airy,
Anchovies, tomatoes, mushrooms,
Pineapple, sausage or sweet mango
I’m going to bite you my darling,
Life is way too short without you.
God save the pizza.
Pizza pines for who?
Pineapples have not a clue.
Love makes us all fools.
Garfield was with Jon,
sitting on the lawn.
Waiting for pizza to arrive,
sitting under a beehive.
Garfield and Jon,
took the pizza and were gone.
They left smoke in their wake,
dinner was pizza not steak.
Maternal never came natural to you
But laugh we did, crazy things you would do,
You caused so much angst, guilt and tension,
But my mother you were, with your fair complexion,
Years went by and we muddled along more
My tears mostly dry, almost closed the door
Beautiful you were I see this all now,
Wish you could see me, and express your pride how
I'm happy and safe, Ed is my rock.
Wish you could meet my friends, my eddy, my flock
Think of you often, today is your day
So I'll bid you goodnight, one thing left to say
Your beauty is famed, your legend is known
I'll see you one day, when I am full grown
In Rome do not do as the Romans do.
For you'll lose out in many ways.
The pizza you loved at home
will an alien be,
a fake, a fraud,
with no authentic
flavor and razzmatazz.
For such compliance,
expected in advance on holidays
begs a baseless bewilderment,
topped off with a lasting
legacy of disappointment,
when your holiday is over.
For ignorance, indeed, is bliss!
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