Welcome to Day 26 of my 30-Day Poetry Challenge!
Comment on today’s poem to win a copy of my poetry book, “(After) Confession… I’m giving away a copy every day. Scroll down below the poem for more details about this Poetry Challenge.
No winner today. I think we are all feeling fatigue as Poetry Month nears the end, you the readers/commenters, and I certainly am as the writer! I’ll do a raffle tomorrow, or not, no big deal. I’ve been so appreciative of how this project has gone so far.
Now onto today’s poem. Don’t forget to comment, and check back tomorrow to see if you’ve won!
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Okay, there’s a reason I stopped writing rhyming poems in 4th grade! I wanted to challenge myself, do something silly, so here it goes. It is much harder than it looks, at least for me. I have a new appreciation for Dr. Seuss now.
A (Sort of) Ode to Cheese
I grew up in the ‘70s
eating Kraft American cheese.
I think I might have heard of cheddar
but I had no clue it might be better.
Those singles, you could bend and fold!
Squares on saltines, we ate them cold.
But we were completely thrilled
to eat them melty in sandwiches grilled.
We shunned Velveeta, that was just ick–
it tasted fake, that big orange brick.
Kraft singles were creamy, mild, a treat.
and individually wrapped, so convenient to eat.
Of course, time passed. I grew up, left home,
excited for experiences and places to roam.
I then discovered a whole world of cheese,
so many kinds, on trays at parties.
I have to admit, I wasn’t so sure,
my palate was still a bit immature.
I didn’t like cheeses at first, they were tart and bitter,
but I kept trying all kinds. I wasn’t a quitter.
More parties, more cheese, more small talk, more wine,
I discovered I liked cheeses better each time.
I found I had favorites, like goat cheese and brie,
sharp cheddar, gouda, parmesan, havarti.
Alas, now Kraft singles bring no joy for me.
It tastes like nothing, just plasticky.
Grown up now, I’ve discovered a Universal Truth:
you just can‘t return to the fake cheese of your youth.
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DETAILS:
- I’m writing and posting a new poem every day through the month of April (yikes!), for better or worse.
- AND, as a gift, I’m giving away a copy of my poetry book EVERY DAY this month. FREE!
- Sign up to WIN a copy of (After) Confession by just leaving a comment beneath the poem of the day.
- I will pick a winner every day in April! So comment every day for a new chance to win.
OR, you can purchase your own copy of (After) Confession for the new low price of $9.00 USD, shipping and handling included! Click here to read sample poems and purchase a copy.
April is National Poetry Month, which was inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996.
This month’s posts are part of the NaPoWriMo challenge — that’s National Poetry Writing Month. At NaPoWriMo.net, you’ll find links to other participating writers and their poetry. AND daily writing prompts for inspiration to write your own poems. Check them out.
I’m so looking forward to your comments– it doesn’t have to be about the poem. Write anything, share the name of your favorite poet or poem, write about the weather, whatever! And thanks for reading.
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Photo credit: Alexander Maasch, courtesy of Unsplash.com, and, um. Kraft
You made me laugh out loud! Singles, once a staple, have not been in this house since the kids were small. I do find myself hungry for a grilled cheese with a Kraft single on soft squishy white bread. Maybe I have to find a classy cafe with a kid’s menu.
The grilled cheese always had to have Campbell’s tomato soup to dip it in, too!
I am going to read this at my next dinner party!
Dang! My cute cheese emojis didn’t come through:(
Darn it… this interface doesn’t really do emojis! Ah well, we shall just imagine the cheesy little things then.
Ha! I guess we know what you’ll be serving, Teja! (hope not…)
I second Ann RK! Made me laugh!
Yay, Nora! At least that’s a good purpose for Kraft cheese slices then…
LOL!
I’ve never seen a poem better
’bout Gouda, Kraft, and of course – Cheddar!
Should be read at all parties – good idea Teja!
Glad you LOLed, Serena!
This was just so fun. I grew up with other cheeses, but I thought how fun to discover this new gustatory world at parties! With wine, with friends. You rose to the challenge beautifully.
It’s quite a brain puzzle for me to work in rhyme… maybe it gets easier in time!