The Art of Poetry: Eating Our Words

I’m not sure what I like to do more: write poetry or make delicious things to eat. I do know that children love to prepare food because of sensory stimulation it entails. Making food from scratch is a creative process, much like writing. You imagine, plan, and then set to work creating something special. Whether the final product is a poem or a delectable dish, the process is the same, and the end results are satisfying.

I spent much of my childhood, thanks to my parents, playing with words and tinkering in the kitchen. I loved blending words together and creating something entirely new. I also loved combining ingredients and making something delicious. I turned many of my food memories into poetry. I think both activities are quite intertwined for me. They both, so to say, feed each other, and nourish my imagination. Case in point, my poem-memory about learning how to prepare artichokes from my father.

I was not only enamored by the process of creating and eating food with my friends and family, I was curious about where that food came from. I loved picking apples, collecting eggs, selecting the best broccoli crowns. Both my grandfathers were wonderful gardeners and loved to share fresh fruits and vegetables with their grandchildren. When I came across unfamiliar foods, instead of being wary of them, I wanted to try them, and almost always I discovered a new delight. This next poem is a memory of buying and eating pomegranates.

In April, I celebrated Poetry Month by sharing poetry with the students at my school. I read poems from a book in which I was published called, Clara’s Kooky Compendium of Thimblethoughts and Wonderfuzz by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong.  The 4th grade students wrote poems about food using Sylvia and Janet’s prompts from their student workbook, My Kooky Compendium of Thimblethoughts and Wonderfuzz.  The girls had a great time playing with rhyme, rhythm, and humor. They wrote about foods they loved, but also foods that were not on their “favorites” lists.

I am sad to see April – the month of poetry – end, but I am heartened to learn that May 3rd is National Wordsmith Day. So this week’s post celebrates crafting with words and using food as inspiration. What could be better? Light some candles and pass the cake! If you are so inclined, leave a short food poem in the comment section below.