The vegetarian

So, I was talking to a friend on Facebook the other day and the idea of poetry came up. One thing led to another  and I sent him one of my poems. Now, I have been writing poetry since I was a kid. Inspired by my father, I have always loved putting words together, pushing the limits of my creativity and rhyming words to tell a story. After he had read a few he gently prodded me to start my own blog.

I'm not like my daughter. I don't necessarily like to spend hours with fingers clacking away on the keyboard. However, as my friend said, I need to post my work and make it public. I can't say anyone will ever read my work. But, Voila, here it is.

One of my favorite poets of all times is Carl Sanburg. And though I'll never have his skill or his grace. I do admire his work. Silly to think that I can mention Sandburg in one paragraph and put my poem in the next. But if you want to know who my muse is, it is he.

Having a daughter that is vegetarian and having too much time on my hands one day, this a few short rhymes floated across my thoughts.

The Vegetarian

“I’m a vegetarian” Skippy begins

Contemplating the life of a true vegan

No flesh WILL EVER through my mouth pass

He said with a sneer, sounding crass

“Eat your meal now” mother pleads

She knows the vitamins that he needs

Catsup and relish she pushes near

Just to watch young Skippy sneer

“What’s a vegetarian?” Penny asks

Putting mother to the task

“Anybody that doesn’t want to eat meat,”

 Softly she says “Now take your seat”.

“Oh. The ‘veggies’ with ‘etarian’

Penny cries and sneers at Skippy again

“I’ll only eat meat she said with a grin

That makes me a Meat-aterian!”

“Children. Children!” Mother exclaims

“I’ve heard enough of these silly games.

A “meataterian’s” called a ‘carnivore’”

Now stop eating Fido’s food from the floor

So, a “blank”-etarian eats the stuff

That fills the blank?” this is rough.

So vegetarians eat mostly greens?

It’s coming clear. Now I see!

As father sleeps, TV news floats in

The President’s on the stage again

“Africa’s the place to be

We have to save humanity!”

“Listen children.” Mother glows

To hear the love the president shows

He’s a humanitarian! Skippy’s thought race

To see the horror on Penny’s face.