On this day of National Poetry Month 2011; I honor the origins and joys of African American food with my poem, visual poetry Soul Food
Soul food is all in the attitude
Way back then; determination fueled survival
The creativity of enslaved souls was clearly at work
They transformed crude scraps and inexpensive cuts
All tossed to those, society deemed to exclude
Chitterlings, ham hocks, neck bones, Hoppin' John
Bowls and bowls of slow cooked red beans
Black-eyed peas, mustard and collard greens
Fat back seasoned cabbage and butter beans
Pickled pigs feet, crispy fried cracklings
It’s all soul food; nourishment of bondage
And, later meals created because of poverty’s magnitude
Some were flambéed, flayed and brewed
Whether, food for a buffet marathon
Everyday meals or goings-on
They are always flavorsome, cultural bonbons
Excerpt from Soul Food
Copyright by Deborah Young, Visual Poet
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