Food Poem

I've realized recently that I usually wait to get inspired on a topic before writing a poem, rather than choosing a topic and going from there. It's much easier that way. Trying to write a poem about a specific subject handed to you in advance is very hard.

My mom asked me recently to write a poem about food to go in the new family cookbook they're working on. Several attempts later, the best of the food poems is rather ridiculous and will most likely be junked. But just to give you the full picture:

Food
Is a force of nature
Food attracts people
Food can bridge the difference
Between two people
Or two cultures
Food alters those who eat it
It sends out scent-waves of influence
Potluck food attracts more food
Food is... gravity.

Compare that to this little ditty I composed a few years back over Thanksgiving:

Holidays (to “Deck the Halls”)

Tis the season to gain weight:
Loads of goodies on my plate!
My mom’s cooking is so good;
I know I eat more than I should.

The game’s on upstairs, cards at the table
With snacks for those whose stomachs are able
To digest, with all the rest, another half a slice of pie
And if it isn't too much trouble, I’d like some ice cream on mine!

I can sing this one. It has rhyme. It's got some rhythm too it, although speaking it, towards the end, it starts to fade... (blame that on the fa-la-las). It's also got a coherence that the other is sadly lacking...

Well, back to work. Maybe I just need to get inspired. Hmm, what shall I have for brunch today?