We always ate salad when I was a kid,
With lettuce and carrots and cukes
And also tomatoes and olives at times
But today, that would bring some rebukes.
For the lettuce was iceberg, which I never buy,
Though we didn’t have choices back then
Or perhaps that’s the kind that my mother preferred,
So she bought it again and again.
I now buy arugula, sometimes romaine
Or a mixture of various kinds
Of colorful lettuces, common today,
Just like spinach, as grocery finds.
I still add tomatoes and carrots and, too,
Things like peppers and sugar snap peas,
But the lettuce will never be iceberg because
My mother’s not here to appease.
Suffering and Pain in Ukraine
suffering and pain
does always seem to remain
in a sad Romaine
soldiers will sustain
none have ever died in vain
defending Romaine
Romaine bodies laid
while Russia prepared parade
into past soon fade
soldiers possessed shield
so they would not have to yield
fighting in the field
on Romaine landed
Russian effort expanded
retreat demanded
suffered and did grieve
Russia finally would leave
knew they were naive
Beautiful before
blasted to pieces after
basement to rafter
MAYAN MAY KINGS
Could there be a major masterpiece
Or any more May Mayan as this May poem
Inspired by Ken L Custance's
"Maybe the Mayans had it write?",
Mixed & made by a Masterdom?
Maybe!
This may be my own Mayans May piece; maybe,
Marinated by a Mayan May king,
Just as one maestro 'maynaic' major,
Not just a mate but the main man.
Indeed, this May is making many more mouth melting madly
Even Mae & her mate Mayor Mase,
Mason & Marilyn (their mentors) marry this May piece.
Now, none of us wants "mayonnaise smothered maize wrapped in romaine" anymore,
We will have whatever my "Mayan May Kings" serves.
Welcome, the month of May!
VickWizzy
Vick Manuel Poetry {VMP}
Reference: Ken L Custance's "Maybe the Mayans had it write?"(line 4,5).
Copyright ©2017
My garden will need love and lots of rain,
I am starting seedlings on window sills;
there will be flowers and things like romaine,
when I see a leaf rise it gives me thrills.
I imagine it growing up with frills,
all my plants will get loads of rain and sun;
I can tell you the work is never done,
as growing becomes this wild obsession.
It needs constant attention once begun-
rain helping this artistic expression !
__________________________
March 22, 2020
Poetry/Dizain/My Garden Will Need ''Rain''
Copyright Protected, ID 20-1238-239-03
All Rights Reserved, 2020, Constance La France
Written for the contest, Delightful Dizains
sponsor, Beth Evans
Second Place
being raised italian
growing up green
not knowing what
a name meant
just agreeing
familia
so there was
my aunt Romaine
completely sane but
having the ability to be
quite silly and even now
thoughts of her
give me a smile and
usually a laugh after
years of happiness
never unlasting or
ever passing for
time will
always be hers for
death doesn't lose
any of memories'
minutes like
the time she
arrived
from the grocer
never knowing
or ever suspecting
at the suggestion
that there ever
was any other
lettuce
for in her
warmth she'd
never have been
named ice
berg
the lettuce
is wilting
let us pray
for salad days
but
so said by Shaw
about gardens
and god
he's in the ground
but digging a bed
isn't the same
as a grave
so she was sown
from seed to sprout
now an heirloom
with an older tune
but still blue bells
toll in a breeze
they toll not for you
not due at least
another season to greet
spring up with the sun
drink down the rain
summer's slumbers
never one to complain
never one to distain
caffeine laughing
Zia Romaine
Johnny, jump up, spring thyme has sprung!
Sun's morning glory pours into your window peaks.
Arise, tired eyes, lift your cheeks with a smile!
Kiss me sweetly; These tulips are for you.
Lettuce turnip the volume of robins' chirping
by a closer stride, a stroll outside.
Take a breath of fresh air, as it freesia.
Butterflies drink from the dew of the buttercups.
Bluebells are ringing a welcoming beet.
Blue birds are singing their rhapsodies.
Lilacs are back in full bloom.
Make room for Dusty Miller.
His baby's breath is stiller
than a sweet pea in the valley.
Orange you happy that you rose up
to see our mums in perfect peace?
Cauliflower a weed or a treat;
Some flowers are even healthy to eat!
Lettuce romaine here and taste the scene.
Thistle be an amazing spring!
Flowers:
Johnny Jump Up
Morning Glory
Tulips
Freesia
Buttercups
Bluebells
Lilac
Dusty Miller
Baby's Breath
Sweet Pea
Rose
Mums
Herbs:
Thyme
Vegetables:
Lettuce
Turnip
Beet
Cauliflower
Romaine Lettuce
Fruit:
Orange
Weeds:
Thistle
P Pass over, O God of Israel, the houses of Israel on this night
E Egypt, unsuspecting even at midnight of what was to come
S Smite, God of Israel, every firstborn Egyptian male
A Anguished Cries from every Egyptian household
C Children of Israel hurriedly exit the land
H Hallelujah! Praise the Lord, God!
S Spill ten drops of wine, symbolic of the ten plagues which struck Egypt
E Eat matso* and maror** to recall 210 bitter years of slavery there
D Dayenu***-- It would have sufficed us to have merely left Egypt
E Elaborate in the telling the story of our going forth from Egypt
R Recline at the table, in the manner of free people, noblemen
Wishing one and all a Happy Passover / Easter Season!
__________________________________________________________
* Matso is poor bread: thin, cracker-like, tasteless
** Maror is bitter herb: Horseradish root or even romaine lettuce stalks
*** Dayenu, it would have sufficed us, even had we not crossed the Red Sea...had we not traveled to the foot of Mt. Sinai,...had we not received the Tablets of the Ten Commandments at Mt. Sinai,...had we not eventually come to and conquered the Land of Israel
As I gaze at my gorgeous lunch salad
sings to me a sonorous love ballad!
What’s dazzling about temporal food
that calls for this surreal mood?
The melting silk of shredded cheddar cheese
on the sharp crunch of leafy romaine lettuce
the crimson of tomatoes on the vine
ripened to juiciness by golden sunshine
the lingering creaminess of halved walnuts
laden on my favorite honeycrisp apple,so evenly cut
oh, the delight of discovering savory sesame sticks
stop enticing me with your seasoned tricks!
the amazing littleness and power of sunflower seeds
is there and end to this gastronomical greed
the tangy sweet of shriveled cranberry
all together leave my tummy full,heart fluttery
Its the secret spice, your love sprinkled in the foliage medley
that makes the concoction so unbelievably tasty
Written on 06/27/2016
On a blustery winter night my loved one comes to dine.
The table is set for two in front of a cheerful fire and
a candle flickers in delight beside one perfect yellow rose.
I greet my love with a kiss and a glass of Napa Ridge Sauvignon
Blanc. We sit for a while and enjoy fig and Humboldt Fog
goat cheese crostini, while we sip the sweet nectar of the grape.
Soon it is time for me to serve a salad of grilled romaine with bacon and
cherry tomato vinaigrette. We enjoy our quiet conversation while
listening to a compilation disc I made of some of his favorites…
Chopin piano sonatas, Billy Joel ‘s Uptown Girl, The Phantom Of The Opera
and a few selections from an old Beetles album.. Now the entre,
Lamb Chops with a garlic and mustard crust, haricort verts in browned
butter and potatoes gratin . With our entrée we splurge on a bottle
of Screaming Eagle Zinfindel..A bit later I bring out a huckleberry tart
with homemade vanilla bean ice cream.
It was an an evening of culinary delight, made truly special by being with
the one that keeps me safely in his heart.
Darkness And Despair
By: Neva Romaine
I surrounded myself with all manner of things
That brings in a semblance of cheer
The lights are bright, the noises are loud
No time to think or fear
But then time passed by-all distractions have gone
Nothing further to fill empty space
Dreaded darkness again...and I am alone
Am I doomed to this forlorn place?
Making every day, my last.
Cutting new demons into the claim of life
Missing, the light in each moment I breathe
Thinking of the things I miss - before I sleep
Finally, I find myself hitting rock bottom
Fading into hopelessness, frighten by joy
Alone, with vibes that hold not spark
Trying to reach for the light, from despair
--A Poet Destroyer Collaboration--
7/31/2015
Submitted for: One From The Dark Side Poetry Contest
Sponsored By: John Lawless
September 26, 2022
~Gypsies Tramps and Thieves~
Gypsies what do we think, the word is coupled with hate
But were the original gypsies - aware of their fate
The Egyptian forebears were exiled from their home
Supposedly for hiding Jesus so too other continents they did roam
The Romaine Egyptians, were then exiled they had to cross the sea
And became a shortened version -the word we use gyp - sy.
A gentleman of the road the romanticised tramp was named
He didn’t look for work but for this he was not shamed
He begged his way across the land, begging for a crust
You leave him out a plate but be careful which you trust.
To deprive someone of their goods, and keep them for their own
The thieves of this world are the scum we do not their actions condone
Unlike the old time gypsy or the gentleman of the road
Those that commit acus reus, are lower than the toad
Unlike a toad we will not hurt, the thieves need to be caught
Unlike the tramp or gypsy - lessons need to be taught
Our trust we should be careful where ever we do place it
Gypsies tramps and thieves are not the best bet - let us fact it.
©
acus reus : the act of theft to deprive some one of their goods
Petite-o-tat-oes, baked
of a fiery oven
Crispy skin
as spud's innards
fluff into a hot
morsel of delight
Butter-drowned
sour cream, spices
Romaine lettuce wedge
french bread-fresh-baked
creamy brie, Pinot Noir
tantalized taste-buds
Like a hot fudge sauce
effused
onto stone-cold
tutti-frutti
sensate's tongue tip
Salivation!
timer
hums
readiness -
Delectable
Consumption
of crispy, savory
Petite-o-tat-oes
To blue flames
set-ablaze
dessert of
"Cherries Jubilee"
Contrary to popular belief, it did not come from Rome.
California in the USA is what it calls home.
This rather simple salad is considered fabulous.
All you need to make it is a little romaine lettuce.
Take a piece of lemon, and squeeze it for the juice.
Giving this salad a slightly tangy taste is its use.
Throw in some oil and vinegar, and some parmesan cheese.
What you have is something that will please.
Do not worry if tomatoes are out of season.
They do not go into the recipe is the reason.
Want to dress it up some more? Take some chicken from the grill.
Now you have an entrée salad that will thrill.
If they do not like vegetables, this is a great way
to see they get their healthful serving of five a day.
My heart has been mixed like a fresh romaine salade
you toss in the drama right along with the mozzerella cheese
before I even knew my wants I was
running away from my needs.
I'm so for love I would do a walk for it like it was AIDS.
Or travel back in time and battle for it like I was in the crusade.
But lately I've been feeling like a marago round that never ever ends.
I'm the child begging to get off but workers can't detect the problem.
Eventually I have to get off. Just like eventually it will be a man or a women
that ultimately rescues me from the insanities of single life.
Eventually I'll do a little twirl for whomever it is.
Sometimes I wonder if my standards are way too high
but than I'm afraid that if I settle I'll miss the one
I've been waiting to finally be that ride or die for.
I like the apple and the banana.
My heart must be obese because I can't seem
find my imfamous fanta girl.
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