Food Poetry: Reflections on A Friday Night Far from Pommes Frites

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reflections on A Friday Night Far from Pommes Frites
by Alanna Lin Ramage 

I want to eat french fries until I die
the reason they are so bad for us
is because they provide that salt and oil taste
of pure satisfaction
which makes everything else
not like that
not everything can be stripped naked, sliced, and left
in a dark vat of oil and come out
so much better
not everyone can be enhanced thusly
no wonder we are so bitter
when we become thin and learn from celery
what we’d rather not know

independence
righteousness

there is only
satisfaction in
bread and butter

and potato fats

things that blend
and press together,
sizzle briefly and then forget

I’d rather have my joy
and go early

give me lard
or give me death

or at least, if possible–

lard, first.