I’m back with my fourth and final poem from
The Poetry of US, J. Patrick Lewis’ newest anthology with National Geographic. (You can find the other three here, here, and here.) In this poem, I celebrated the famed Philly cheesesteak–yum! I’ll take mine “provolone with” (provolone instead of Cheeze Whiz, with onions), please! It wa so lovely to share this spread with Linda Sue Park’s sensory tour of an “Asian Market” and Leslea Newman’s “Ode to a Knish Shop.” I’ve never had a knish, and isn’t that what this anthology is all about? Introducing people to all kinds of wonders across our country. This anthology would make a lovely and fun holiday gift for any young explorer!
Here’s the text of this triolet:
Never Say No
It’s messy, delicious…a perfect bite
Never say no to a Philly cheesesteak
Chipped beef and onions, grilled just right
It’s messy, delicious, a perfect bite
It will have you believing in love at first sight!
The chewy roll and gooey cheese make
it messy, delicious—a perfect bite
Never say no to a Philly cheesesteak!
–Laura Purdie Salas, from The Poetry of US
Looking at my files, I found four other cheesesteak poems I wrote to offer to Pat! A riddle, a limerick, a senryu, and a free verse poem. Honestly, I have so much fun trying out different forms with any particular topic. Poetry is like magic–and so is a good cheesesteak;>)
Buffy at Buffy’s Blog has the Poetry Friday Roundup today, so you’ll find lots more poetry there!
13 Responses
Yum! I didn’t know there were FOOD poems! I have this book up on my TBR pile. I am headed to it right now. I love how you made a messy, gooey sandwhich a part of this wonderful anthology.
Aw, thanks, Linda. There are so many wonderful poems in this anthology. I am having so much fun reading through it!
I can imagine a gang of kids chanting your cheesesteak poem. It’s as delicious as… a cheesesteak (although tbh, I’d rather eat a knish 🙂 )
I have never heard of (or tasted) a cheesesteak. Now cheesecake I do have some acquaintance with. In Australia we do; sausage on bread — with or without onions and sauce. 🙂
Thank you for a delicious post! I was listening to a podcast the other day and learned about a book called The Tenth Muse — and the tenth muse is FOOD! I have to get my hands on this anthology… Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
One of my assistants long ago grew up in Philadelphia & CRAVED Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches. He would love this poem, Laura, with all its gooey and wonderful tastes. Your poem made me remember his search for a good one here. Our childhood food memories stay. Thank you & have a wonderful Christmas!
I had the best cheesesteaks in LA! Cute poem. Laurie, I have asked several poets (and no one responds!)…how would I get my poems to people in charge of putting these anthologies together? Is it invitation only? I would greatly appreciate any info you could send me…my email is below. Many thanks!!
Hi Dianne, I went back to my Writing for Children Facebook Group, because I knew this had been discussed not long ago–and found you were the one who asked it there:>) My answer there still stands: “They are mostly by invitation only (and if you get my newsletter, you know I’ve struggled with anthologies this year), and I think the best way to get invited is to become an active member of the online children’s poetry community. I’d suggest starting with Poetry Friday–it’s a welcoming, lovely group, and you’ll find many of its members in current anthologies. Go to https://www.nowaterriver.com/what-is-poetry-friday/ for more info!” Like school visits and speaking invitations, anthology invitations tend to happen organically. It’s hard to actively seek them out. You can try contacting the poets who put them together, but many of those anthologists are overwhelmed with emails from poets who want to be included. So…it’s really tough. Blogging and becoming part of the community–those are the two best ways forward in my opinion. Good luck!
Love how you fit all those layers of “chewy” and “messy delicious…” into your triolet poem–you created a perfect wedding of poem and savory flavor Laura! I think I’ve seen this or something very similar to it in Chicago too, thanks!
Love the form for this. A Philly cheesesteak is a lovely mess to eat…alas, now mine must be gluten free.
Every time I read this poem I want a cheesesteak! (And I’d love to see what your other poems were like!)
Nom. I think a triolet was the perfect form for this poem — you eat/read it bite after bite after delicious repetitive bite.
I think it’s possible that I have never had a proper Philly Cheesesteak sandwich. What a shame. I agree that the triolet seems like the perfect form, but it would be fun to see all your four tries together.