Putrid Poetry: Day 28: Family Recipe

“This next one,” said Goldie, “is about my family. We had a family reunion last summer, and it was so much fun. So I tried to capture that here, and I wrote it like it was a recipe.”

Family Recipe

Take a three-legged dash
for a dusting of fun
Run through the sprinklers
then roast in the sun
Knead a grandma who lives
just to pinch my pink cheeks
Add an uncle who smiles
with each word that he speaks
Mix a lemonade slush
with a smidgen of laughter
Stir up cousins with candy
then take a nap after
Grandpa grills hot dogs
like holy communion
And that is the taste of
our family reunion

“And last,” said Goldie, “I’m going to read a poem dedicated to Miss Sweetmallow, the best teacher ever. And then our MC, Louis Pasternak–”
“Dr. Skullstench!” I hissed.
“Louis will read his own poem for Miss Sweetmallow. We hope you like them.”
Goldie smiled and waved at Miss Sweetmallow. Miss Sweetmallow had a huge smile on her face and her hand on her chest, like she was about to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

#1 Teacher
(for Miss Sweetmallow)

There once was a teacher so Sweet
Her instructional methods were neat
        Her class had a blast
        From the first day to last
To be in her room was a treat

All the moms and dads and grandparents clapped and smiled. They turned to face Miss Sweetmallow in the audience and clapped in her direction.
The kids all looked bored.
Then…it was my turn.

3 Responses

  1. I haven’t been able to catch all of your posts, Laura, but I’ve been trying! And this one is so childlike-sweet. I love ‘Reunion,’ because it has the cadence and imagery a child would use (although I give the writer credit for that last rhyme!)…and you set up the next poem wonderfully!

    1. Yeah, even Goldie probably wouldn’t come up with “holy communion.” Although a *first* grader discussed metaphor (even using the term accurately) in a poem we read in a way that shocked her teacher AND me! Thanks, Matt:>)

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