I frequently talk about the spark of an idea that can grow into a flame. -A flame that lights the way forward. I am buoyed by such moments...
A brief conversation with a six year old regarding how much she likes blue jelly had me instantly reflecting upon my own childhood and suddenly my mind was filled with custard, not literally of course, but thoughts of how custard was a dominant dessert during my early years, so long ago. Suddenly young eyes lit up- 'You should write a poem about custard, Papa.'
And so the poem, 'The Custard Years' began to form in my mind. Here, now is what was revealed.
The Custard Years
It’s amazing
how much custard one can eat
before the age of ten.
For I certainly ate a lot of custard
early in my life...
Custard was a dessert staple.
I loved it lump free and viscous
-mellow yellow
Simply mum made
using Foster Clark's custard powder.
For me
they were my custard years.
Custard with ice-cream, two-fruits, or jelly
Custard tarts, or just custard neat and slidey.
For some kids it might have been
their jelly years
-or heaven forbid- their instant pudding years
junket and flummery years
But custard was the king back then.
After the age of ten
Somehow,
-and for no particular reason,
that I can think of
custard found itself added to
the long list
of lost lamented delights.
Alan j Wright
I clearly have missed an entire part of childhood —the custard part!! Now, armed with this poem I will go in search of that neat and slidey dessert !
ReplyDeletePattricia, I wish you well in this quest. It may not sit well with your adult palatte, but I can honestly say that having had a childhood soaked in it, I still enjoy it in trifles when the occasion presents. Custard may have been an Australian thing, possibly handed down from our British forebears.
DeleteI loved hearing about your custard years! When I was young, I had my creamsicle year-- just one, because I ate so many that I could never eat them again. I actually looked at some in the store recently and wondered if I could eat them now and I'm almost there but not quite, haha! (Creamsicles are popsicles that are orange flavored on the outside and vanilla on the inside.)
ReplyDeleteTabatha, your creamsicle sounds similar to a treat we have inAustralia called a 'Splice.' I remember them well. A summer treat.
DeleteAlan, go have yourself a cup of custard! Reminds me of my mom, an octogenarian, who ALWAYS has butterscotch pudding on the stove or in the fridge. I have a few lamented childhood loves...macaroni and cheese from the box tops among them!
ReplyDeleteI love your sotry regarding your mum, Irene. She is well prepared. We all have food favourites in our memroy bank, I think. Diverse and delicious- at least for our childhood tastebuds.
DeleteFun to hear about your childhood custard years and read your poem. I grew up loving custard too -- but mostly in pies and tarts. It was only when I moved to London that I noticed warm custard poured on cakes and such. I liked that too! These days I'm more about puddings (I do have a tin of Bird's Custard in the pantry though).
ReplyDeleteAh, Jama -a custard comrade!. Pies and tarts are always a good custard conveyance. It's like we have custard in store for some possible custard shortage...
DeleteLove your custard poem!!! My Irish mother always made trifle for special occassions and the Bird's custard was, for me, the best part!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mona. Trifle was a staple of my mum and my various aunts when I was a wee child. The custard was definitely a favourite part of the trifle's make up.
DeleteNo custard in my growing up years, but plenty of jello, with and without canned fruit salad or cottage cheese in it.
ReplyDeleteMary Lee
Oh, you missed something quite special, Mary Lee. Like you I recall jelly with fruit and cream or icecream- simply delicious!
DeleteYum. Alan, your custard years sound yummy. What a fun memory and resulting poem. I hope you went out for a custard (or made some) with your six year old companion!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol. You have prompted me to arrange an upcoming custard making session with Miss Six.
DeleteI remember custard that "mellow yellow" treat. I think I liked it better than pudding, except maybe chocolate pudding (the best in my opinion!).
ReplyDeleteNo doubt about it, Rose, the primacy effect is in play here. We distinctly remember our favourites
DeleteHa! The custard years sound delightfully sweet. My mother-in-law's custard is legendary! No instant pudding allowed. Great poem, Alan.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. Yes, another anti instant pudding person!
DeleteAlan, I am commenting late but so glad that your custard intrigued me. Jello was the big dessert when I was a child. Now, I enjoy pudding as a layer when I baked a cake. Here in Virginia, we enjoy custard at the ice cream stands in the cournty. I love the title of your poem and enjoyed reading about your childhoold. Just wondering if you have any photo and poem that you would like to add to my Spring Seeds Grace April (Springtime for you) Padlet Gallery. I would love to share one of your poems. See the Padlet at padlet.com/cvarsalona/spring-seeds-grace-april-iqgitngvyfqwch7b.
ReplyDelete