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Eat This Poem

 Without a doubt food and poetry have been enduring passions for me. Both pursuits involve making and creating. I therefore felt quite blessed to be gifted the book, 'Eat This Poem' by dear friends who know me well. It is such perfect matching of reader and interest.

'Eat This Poem- A Literary Feast of Recipes Inspired By Poetry'  by Nicole Gulotta contains 25 poems and seventy five recipes that deliver rich words to the kitchen. The book allows the reader to access poetry while offering strong connections to the food we prepare and share.

The poem I have chosen to share is the final poem in the book, 'How to Eat A Poem' by Eve Merriam.  The poem is a metaphor for life. Don't wait, bite in and enjoy life's abundant pleasures. Couldn't agree more.








How To Eat A Poem
Don’t be polite.
Bite in.
Pick it up with your fingers and lick the juice that
may run down your chin.
It is ready and ripe now, whenever you are.

You do not need a knife or fork or spoon
or plate or napkin or tablecloth.

For there is no core
or stem
or rind
or pith
or seed
or skin
to throw away.
Eve Merriam


I even went into my garden to read it. If you listen closely you will hear a magpie accompaniment. Such a bonus...

It is once more, Poetry Friday and our host this time is
Carol Varsalona at Beyond Literacy. Carol's post presents some broad spectrum poetry covering matters Autumnal and Halloweenish.

Comments

  1. How nice to hear Merriam's poem read by you. I'm adding 'Eat this Poem' to my wishlist. It sounds perfect for me too! Thanks so much.

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    1. Thank you, Linda for your gracious remarks. Enjoy the poem.

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  2. Alan, I am wistful that I couldn’t figure out how to listen to you reading Eve’s poem, but I did enjoy reading it myself. As I did, I couldn’t help thinking, it would have been even better with a magpie!

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    1. The main thing is you got to read the poem, Tracey. Those techincal hitches are quite bothersome...

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  3. That's such a wonderful poem. I'm always grateful when PF share a poem I've read before. It always seems to be just the right time to hear it again!

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    1. Good poems never grow old, Laura. It seems my timing was psot on.

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  4. What a treat to hear your voice, Alan! --and the magpie :)

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    1. Glad you enjoy the poem being read along with our resident magpie, Patricia.

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  5. I love the poem, Alan, have used it as a challenge for students to create their own "directions" in a poem. She is such a poet to enjoy, and you made it more lovely by reading it to us. Thanks!

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    1. Thank you , Linda. Your kind response to my efforts, as always, is much appreciated.

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  6. Wonderful to hear you read, Alan! I always loved that poem so it was a treat to read it again and a bonus to hear it read out loud. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Rose, it was fun to add a different dimension to my post. Thanks for your lovely feedback.

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  7. Love it! I have long loved Eve Merriam and this poem. Now I can add loving it read in your voice with "your" magpie accompaniment!

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    1. Mary Lee, the magpie has taken up residence this spring and is one of the best warblers we have had the pleasure of hosting. Thanks for appreciating us both.

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  8. Oh, I adore that last stanza especially. Thanks for the read!

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    1. In less than one hundred words Eve Merriam nails it! Thanks Liz.

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  9. Alan, What a great gift this book is for you - and others, I imagine. Thank you for reading the poem to us - defintely a nice element for us. Enjoy your garden. Thank you.

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    1. Carol,the book is indeed a perfect match and I love it. The garden is beginning to display its springtime vestments and expanding into the space. Glad you liked the reading.

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  10. Alan, it was marvelous to see you reading Eve Merriam's juicy poem, How To Eat A Poem. This could be a wonderful opening for teachers who are starting a poetry lesson or project. Your garden seems like a perfect place to enjoy poetry.

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    1. It was fun to perform poetry and particularly a poem I enjoy reading. As spring evolves, I shall spend more time writing poetry in our garden. Thanks Carol.

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  11. Love this! I love food and poetry too. :)

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    1. This sound like the perfect book for you to acquire, Marcie. It's a treasure, a keeper, and an inspiration.

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  12. What a treat, Alan — a poem I love, a book I love, and a magpie accompanying your reading. Thank you!

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