Sunday, January 11, 2009

Eccentric Eating


ECCENTRIC EATING


You've all heard of the 'lonely petunia' that fell into an 'onion patch';
How she found herself among strangers, where nothing seemed to match?
Well something rather similar recently happened to me.
I discovered how unpleasant being 'odd one out' can be.


You see, I'm an organic tomato, grown in the natural way,
Without those nasty chemicals that can take ones breath away.
Of course, I'm not quite spherical; indeed I can't escape
From the fact that I'm crudely bulbous, a rather unfortunate shape.


Nor am I evenly-coloured, with a smart unblemished sheen;
In fact you'd call me blotchy, part-crimson and part-green.
My mates lying in the carton were all a little askew;
Some big, some small, some quite grotesque, depending how they grew.


We were lying there very quietly, while the shoppers peered and prodded.
Sometimes they made some rude remarks while a certain shopper nodded
Saying 'Here are the organic ones. Do you ever buy them, Mother?
I hear they taste quite nice to eat, but I think I'll buy the other.'


By 'the other' we knew, of course, she meant those horrible round balls
That lie resplendent in the bins of all the shopping malls.
While she was speaking she picked me up and held me in her hand.
I wanted to explain myself, but how would she understand?


I wanted to shout ' I am the best although I don't look great!'
But I knew, of course, that rejection was bound to be my fate.
And this is where my story takes on a dramatic hue!
She put me back in the wrong bin! What a terrible thing to do!


She placed me among perfection! I felt myself go numb!
Imagine, a lumpy, blotchy thing sticking-out like a sore thumb!
The red spheres didn't speak to me, they just turned-up their noses!
I knew that in their critical eyes I wasn't smelling of roses!


But, as I was lying there alone, misshapen and neglected,
By these smart things of the market world so hopelessly rejected,
A little girl who was walking past suddenly stopped and said
'Look at that nice tomato! It isn't a plain old red!


It's got a really funny shape; it's face looks like a man!
I'd like to take it home with me! Mummy! Say I can!'
So they've put me in a fruit-bowl, right on the very top!
Suddenly, it seems to me, I'm the cream of the crop!


There are apples, pears and other fruits but I'm top of the pile.

Now I've found I've a shape like a human face, 
Boy!  Am I going to smile!




24 comments:

Sherri B. said...

I absolutely loved this! It flows beautifully, and made me smile. I am that tomato... :~)

Anonymous said...

I too am smiling!

Great post! However, a request. Please don't write all caps. It makes reading difficult.

Setting about a routine

Kill Word Verification

Sylvia K said...

I loved it too! Obviously there are a lot of us "tomatoes" out there!

Linda Jacobs said...

This should be made into a children's book! The rhymes are clever and the rhythm is regular and the message is invaluable!

Patty said...

I'm sure I would have taken the smiling tomato home with me also. Very nice poem.

anthonynorth said...

That was excellent! Flowed beautifully and so feelgood at the end.

Darlene said...

You are just too clever for words, Benda. I love your poems and agree; you should publish two books of them - one for children and one for adults.

Marguerite said...

Good message & cleverly expressed. Loved the poem!

Anonymous said...

Very clever! And I love the tunes!

Tumblewords: said...

An enjoyable read and invaluable message. Great post!

present said...

Tomato angst and acceptance! A happy ending as well!

aykayem said...

What a wonderful poem!
(and it isn't the only good one on your blog either - I am glad I came and found/looked at this blog ... and am now going to check out your others as well - lol)
- Andrea,
disorganised in Dunlop (a suburb of Canberra)

linda may said...

Great stuff Rinkly, I guess you are pro organic produce, I am a tomato too, an old one. He he.
I also liked the blame poem.You are a great observer of kids natures.

me said...

wonderful...the life of an organic tomato, my favourite! :)

Kat said...

Lovely poem Brenda

Loved the lines... "...I wanted to shout ' I am the best although I don't look great!"

Shows beauty is only skin deep..!!!

carmilevy said...

Delightful! I'm so glad you reached back and connected it to Thematic Photographic.

Judie said...

Organic tomatoes are sooooo much better than those perfect red ones that have no taste! Great post!!!!

21 Wits said...

Great!...and you have left me smiling as well! thanks so much!

Anonymous said...

I love the flavor of organic, but they are not always as pretty.

anitamombanita said...

oh how I miss my good sweet heirloom tomatoes. This was delicious!!

Lola said...

Superb post – so cleverly expressed!

Have a great weekend too & look forward to *seeing* you soon.

Here’s mine

Jules said...

The best tomato in the shop...without a doubt!!!!

The Poet said...

Hello.
This certainly brought a smile to my face. It pays to be different sometimes.
Nicely done Rinkly!
Thanks for sharing.

For ref:
Eleven Roses And You

Jenny said...

Oh wow.

How cute is this?

Totally cute, I tell ya!

This made me smile!

You are such a creative writer. Love your style, girl!

A+