A child during WWII,
With field-glasses and aircraft spotter’s guide,
A victory garden I protected.
My lame win over evil, axis, weeds.
We grew Strawberries, Raspberries,
Potatoes, Dill, Cucumbers,
Squash, Beans, Peas, and Onions.
Harv Johnson did Rhubarb next door.
Our diet was plain, bland, and gray.
My hatred of things garden blossomed.
Beans, Carrots, and Peas; yuck!
At dinner, stubborn and unexcused.
Stare um’ down, retch on command!
In teen years, an exotic discovery,
Only at the W.W. State Fair.
Not carnival nor side-show.
A restaurant booth from Tacoma,
Frying onions for sandwiches.
It was love at first smell!
Don’t get me started on tomatoes!!
