Poetry Monday

My mother had a big green book of poetry that sat on the shelf next to her prized copy of Petite Larousse when I was a child. I didn't like a lot of the poems, being too young to understand most of them, but I always loved this one.

Dried Apple Pies


I loathe, abhor, detest, despise,

Abominate dried-apple pies.

I like good bread, I like good meat

Or anything that's fit to eat;

But of all poor grub beneath the skies,

The poorest is dried apple pies.

Give me the toothache, or sore eyes,

But don't give me dried apple pies.

The farmer takes his gnarliest fruit

'Tis wormy, bitter, and hard, to boot;

He leaves the hulls to make us cough,

And don't take half the peeling off.

Then on a dirty cord 'tis strung

And in a garret window hung,

And there it serves as roost for flies,

Until it's made up into pies.

Tread on my corns, or tell me lies,

But don't pass me dried-apple pies.



- Unknown