NaPoWriMo 2012 – 30 Poems in 30 Days – Day 14

I can hardly believe it’s been 14 days since this poetry challenge started, but life moves at a rapid pace when you’re having fun doesn’t it? Today’s poem will pay homage to one of my favorite meals from my childhood. Spaghetti and fried fish! I remember when my mom cooked this for dinner for the first time. I frowned and said, “Spaghetti and fried fish don’t go together!” My mother gave me “the look” and said, “Well, it does today!”

I asked her why she put the two foods together and she said it was a meal she ate a lot in her own childhood. She hailed from the south, Georgia in fact, and she explained that sometimes poor families that worked for rich families would bring home food that the wealthy people discarded and they would make meals for their family from what some would call “scraps.” I couldn’t imagine anyone thinking fried fish would be a scrap, but hey, different strokes! She also told me that her mom would also make stews and soups that consisted of chicken or fish (if they were lucky) and different veggies and potatoes, and anything else she could find to make a meal for her large family.

So here is a shout-out to all the southern moms who made spaghetti and fried fish for their kids! Somewhere this meal is now a delicacy!

Spaghetti & Fried Fish

Spaghetti & fried fish

What a peculiar dish!

Southern sensibilities and Italy hugged and shared a kiss!

Oh, what tasty bliss!

A meal best not to miss

Culinary artists cringe

But there’s no dissing this!

Red sauce and noodles

Do seem to canoodle

Resting nicely together

Topped off with shredded cheddar

Fish so hot it sizzles

Crunchy skin with a tender middle

It’s still singing when it hits the plate

Looks so inviting, my tastebuds can’t wait

Salt, pepper, cornmeal and protein

Garlic, spice, tomato sauce and starch

Forget about Picasso

This right here is art!

For more delicious servings of poetry this month, please visit these bloggers as they are also participating in NaPoWriMo!

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