The Pickle Poem by Gita Ashok

Sweet or spicy
bitter or salty,
the pickle
is usually a hot favorite.

It may be of mango, plum,
lemon, aubergine or cauliflower
or it may have
radish, gooseberry or ginger.

It may be chunky
or it may have tiny slices.
Sometimes you find
there are large pieces.

It flatters you taste buds,
adds a zing to your meal
and makes anything insipid
come back to life!

It reminds you of
life’s myriad vagaries
and struggles to be on the table
along with other culinary varieties.

The pickle is a good way
to preserve through the year
all your favorite fruits and veggies
so you can have them any day.

The pickle may be mixed
or it may be solo.
Have it any way you want
and nothing can beat it hollow.

04 June 2010
12 noon