[David Callin]

At the village produce show,
in among the frantically
gesticulating gladdies,
the plump Victoria Sandwiches
and the soda breads of greater or less
ideological soundness,
how pleasant to find a homely friend
so startlingly transfigured;
the humble tuber, least instrument
in the orchestra of Plenty,
and gloriously done up
to the wildly improbable nines
and into a class of its own:
the Decorated Potato.

[Carl Copeland]

Charming, David. Google enlightened me about gladdies, Victoria Sandwiches and soda breads, though I’m still unsure about the ideological content of the latter. Something to do with Irish nationalism? I’d like to drop “and” from the penultimate line, but I’m not sure why. “Least instrument in the orchestra of Plenty” is my favorite bit. Ellan Vannin is becoming one of my favorite mythical landscapes.

[Glenn Wright]

You do a beautiful job of turning a lowly farmers’ market into a festive and enchanting party complete with musical accompaniment.
Delightful, David! Your poem is a paragon of personification.

[Jim Moonan]

.
Delightful in my eyes, too. I'm going to a farm today to see Clydesdales in honor of Mother’s Day. I wish I could bring you along for your thoughts : )

I'll be back.
.

[Roger Slater]

I agree. It's charming indeed. My only suggestion would be to omit "into" in the penultimate line.

[John Riley]

Yes, this is fun and witty. Who doesn’t like a good old ugly potato. Enjoyed.

[Joe Crocker]

Aah. The village show. Just in case some our readers aren't familiar with this eccentric and deadly serious British tradition, here is one of many possible links .

You will observe, for instance, that "if you show 2 sticks of Rhubarb instead of 3 or a jar of orange and lemon marmalade instead of orange and grapefruit, your exhibits may be rejected as “Not as Schedule”".

I do like the idea of a potato with a distinguished service medal.

[David Callin]

Thanks for doing the research, Carl. The local soda bread is bonnag, and there tends to be a lot of controversy about what is - and is not - authentic bonnag, in terms of ingredients.

Great! Thanks Glenn. And Jim - one of our neighbours has Clydesdales (possibly not pure-bred). It's like having a moving statuary park at the end of our lane.

I'm pleased you like it, Rogerbob. I will look into that "into".

You're right about a good old ugly potato, John. Thanks.

That is a brilliant rule, Joe. Classic village show bureaucracy.

Cheers all

David

[Carl Copeland]

Originally Posted by David Callin

I will look into that "into".

Both Roger and I felt there was something unnecessary in that line. I thought it was “and,” and he thought it was “into.” Take your pick—or not.

[David Callin]

Originally Posted by Carl Copeland

Both Roger and I felt there was something unnecessary in that line. I thought it was “and,” and he thought it was “into.” Take your pick—or not.

I know, Carl. I'm thinking.

Cheers

David