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Trillium

Member Patricius

since 2001-03-09

Posts 12098
Idaho, USA

0 posted 2006-08-21 02:49 PM

Dinner On the Farm

From the woods and from the fields,
The men are coming in.
As soon as they are seated,
The dinner will begin.
Pile high the fried potatoes,
The venison and spread
Of yellow, home-made butter,
To lavish on the bread.

Now someone pour the coffee,
Then pass the beans around.
Mom takes up all the biscuits.
She piles them in a mound.
As soon as they are finished,
We'll carry in the pie,
The chocolate cake and pudding,
With cream jug standing by.

The men sit at the table
Until they are replete.
Then after they are finished,
The women get to eat!
Betty Lou Hebert

Published in Rosebuds, 1995
Tale Spinners, Alberta, Canada, 1999

Joyce Johnson

Member Rara Avis

since 2001-03-10

Posts 9912
Washington State

1 posted 2006-08-21 03:32 PM

I love this Trillium. It brings back vivid memories. Only at harvest time when we had many hired men, did the women have to wait. My loveliest memories are the family meal with all of us around that long table. love, Joyce

Trillium

Member Patricius

since 2001-03-09

Posts 12098
Idaho, USA

2 posted 2006-08-21 06:06 PM

Dear Joyce: It was the same way with us. The women and children always waited at harvest time, as the table was full of men who wanted to get back to work. We all waited on them and I can remember, when there was something I especailly liked, wondering if there would be any of it left!
There usually was, but sometimes my aunt would save me a bit! Thanks for reading.

Love
Betty Lou

Betty Lou Hebert

Marge Tindal

Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-06

Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores

3 posted 2006-08-23 03:02 PM

SweetBettyLou~
Not only did your poem make me HUNGRY ...
but it sure made me realize that I'm glad
there are some 'traditions' that didn't last forever~

'The men sit at the table
Until they are replete.
Then after they are finished,
The women get to eat!'

Can't say that was ever the case in my childhood ... but then again ... down South, the gentlemen let the ladies and children dine first~
At least that's the way it was within our family in my youth~

LOVE the way you tell a tale~
Now pass me those biscuits !!!
*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~
Email - noles1@totcon.com

Trillium

Member Patricius

since 2001-03-09

Posts 12098
Idaho, USA

4 posted 2006-08-23 03:05 PM

Dear Marge: You're right, I'm glad too, we can now all sit at the table together. Of course, to be fair, I must admit, this was only during harvest season! The men never wanted to spend extra time at the meal, as there were all those acres of wheat waiting to be cut! Thanks for reading!

Love
Betty Lou
Biscuits in the oven!

Betty Lou Hebert

Dublin Boy
Member

since 2006-08-26

Posts 102
UK

5 posted 2006-08-30 10:49 AM

I really enjoyed this one, Trillium--your poem combines amusement, social history and a mouth-watering array of food!

Cheers,
Bill

Trillium

Member Patricius

since 2001-03-09

Posts 12098
Idaho, USA

6 posted 2006-08-30 01:40 PM

Hi Bill:

Thanks for reading this poem and glad it appealed to you.

Trillium

Betty Lou Hebert

Troy
Member

since 2006-06-04

Posts 52
B.C.

7 posted 2006-08-31 04:04 PM

Aren't men barbarians! It must be a caveman thing.

Excellent write! It certainly deserved to be published.

Trillium

Member Patricius

since 2001-03-09

Posts 12098
Idaho, USA

8 posted 2006-08-31 04:35 PM

Troy:

Thanks for commenting. I think those men at harvest season, were so pressed for time, they didn't want to be delayed eating dinner any longer than was necessary. Women and children tend to take up too much time wanting to "visit". Thanks for being on the
feminine side however!

Betty Lou

Betty Lou Hebert

midnightblues
Senior Member

since 2000-07-01

Posts 1597
Singapore

9 posted 2006-09-01 10:26 PM

Lovely, lovely setting

I didn't like the last 2 lines though.. must be the feminist in me hehe BUT IT'S A GREAT POEM I ADORE THIS TO BITS!!!

Love,
MiCheLLe

If there cannot be equal in affection, then let the one with more be me - midnightblues

midnightblues
Senior Member

since 2000-07-01

Posts 1597
Singapore

10 posted 2006-09-01 10:30 PM

Lovely, lovely setting

I didn't like the last 2 lines though.. must be the feminist in me hehe BUT IT'S A GREAT POEM I ADORE THIS TO BITS!!!

Love,
MiCheLLe

If there cannot be equal in affection, then let the one with more be me - midnightblues

Trillium

Member Patricius

since 2001-03-09

Posts 12098
Idaho, USA

11 posted 2006-09-04 03:46 AM

Dear MiCheLle: Thanks and I'm glad you enjoyed the poem. It wasn't easy waiting for those men to finish up eating sometimes. Fortunately this only happened at harvest time.

Love
Betty Lou

Betty Lou Hebert

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