I will remember this summer as The Year the Tomatoes Took Over. We have eaten them straight from the garden, passed them around the neighborhood, cooked them in every way possible, and almost filled up the freezer. This poem is the result of an assignment in the delightful Fall Poetry Writing Workshop with Georgia Heard and Rebecca Kai Dotlich through The Poet's Studio.
Today's Poetry Friday Roundup is at Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme. Enjoy!
Oct 14, 2022 10:31 AM EDT
Oh, how I wish we could gather tomatoes in autumn! Around here, the first frost usually arrives by mid-late Sept. which means the tomatoes are now long gone, memories of a warmer season that feels too distant. Thanks for sharing!
- Matt Forrest Esenwine
Reply by JoAnn on Oct 14, 2022 10:40 AM EDT
We're in Wisconsin, close enough to Lake Michigan that it moderates temperatures. Our first frost is due this week, so we'll be grabbing all the green tomatoes soon!
Oct 14, 2022 2:00 PM EDT
Wow, that's a LOT of tomatoes! What a fun, savory, mouthwatering poem!
- jama
Reply by JoAnn on Oct 14, 2022 6:46 PM EDT
Thank you, Jama! I had fun with it!
Oct 14, 2022 3:32 PM EDT
The Year the Tomatoes Took Over! My parents didn't plant any, but they had volunteers from last year. Soooo many! We were eating them with every meal for a while. I like the sound of "commandeer kitchens" and "unruly rows."
- Tabatha
Reply by JoAnn on Oct 14, 2022 6:48 PM EDT
Thank you, Tabatha! My neighbor just brought over a couple of recipes for green tomatoes. We gathered the last of them today because we're expecting frost. The end is in sight!
Oct 14, 2022 4:58 PM EDT
Yes! They can take over. And they are so delicious! Garrison Keillor did a show about this very thing... hilarious. Love you poem... thanks!
- Karen Eastlund
Reply by JoAnn on Oct 14, 2022 6:50 PM EDT
Thank you, Karen! Yes, I'm trying to remember that we will be happy to have all the soups and pasta sauces to enjoy this winter.
Oct 14, 2022 6:22 PM EDT
How great you had the pleasure of writing with Georgia & Rebecca again! This is wonderful, especially that middle stanza. My daughter is the tomato grower & has "rolled" them over to me often! Thanks, JoAnn!
- Linda Baie
Reply by JoAnn on Oct 14, 2022 6:51 PM EDT
Thank you, Linda! This was actually my first class with Georgia & Rebecca, but I've signed up for another one--looking forward to it!
Oct 14, 2022 11:06 PM EDT
Oh I love this ! By chance I have just sent my husband to buy me some tomato seedlings, because it's planting time here in Australia. SO I look forward to seeing them tumble down the street and line the windowsill. Your imagery is perfection!
- Sally Murphy
Reply by JoAnn on Oct 15, 2022 3:49 PM EDT
Oh, good timing! I hope you enjoy a good crop!
Oct 15, 2022 9:30 AM EDT
If you don't know John Denver's song "Homegrown Tomatoes," it's time to sing it now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwRn7A-TWrQ
- Mary Lee
Reply by JoAnn on Oct 15, 2022 3:52 PM EDT
Perfectly fitting--thanks!
Oct 15, 2022 6:05 PM EDT
Joann - the poem is delectable - and you captured the rising mischief so well in your word choices!
- PATRICIA J FRANZ
Reply by JoAnn on Oct 15, 2022 6:16 PM EDT
Thank you, Patricia!
Oct 15, 2022 8:03 PM EDT
Yes, in the middle of tomato season they do take over. I had to smile reading this because in the midst of it, you wonder how to get out from under all those tomatoes. They are, however, my favorite veggie.
- Janice scully
Reply by JoAnn on Oct 16, 2022 3:44 PM EDT
One thing I'm doing this year is trying out new recipes. I just made creamy coconut lentil curry, and it smells so good I can't wait to eat it!
Oct 16, 2022 7:33 AM EDT
Joann, this poem is as rich and bountiful and unruly as your tomato crop! So many lines to love, and all the good old alliteration. Lucky you--we've had a bum tomato year.
- Heidi Mordhorst
Reply by JoAnn on Oct 16, 2022 3:46 PM EDT
Thank you, Heidi! If you lived closer, I'd load you up with tomatoes!
Oct 16, 2022 11:18 AM EDT
I love those opening lines. Swoon. It was such a great class to take.
- Jone MacCulloch
Reply by JoAnn on Oct 16, 2022 3:47 PM EDT
Thank you, Jone! I loved the class, too. I'm looking forward to the picture book one!
Oct 18, 2022 8:45 AM EDT
What a wonderful poem - delicious in every aspect. Joann, if interested, add one of your autumn poems to my Finding Fall 2022 Padlet at https://padlet.com/cvarsalona/awz68cfim4nac1rp.
- Carol Varsalona
Comment by JoAnn on Oct 18, 2022 9:31 AM EDT
Thank you, Carol! I added this one, and I really enjoyed reading the others.