Bad Poetry: Desserts

This post combines the prompt at Napowrimo.net ("something magical and strange that happens at night, and could be a dream, but feels lifelike") and the one at Poets & Storytellers United ("something about desserts, or just desserts"). The dream is one I really had. The rest of the story also happened, but later.

In a dream I held out a plate to take

A slice of the very most fanciful cake

Ever. Little beads of sugar ran round and round,

Colored or gilt. The top was a mound

Of icing and candies. "Vanilla?" I said,

Taking a bite. "Why--it's just cold cornbread!"

I went to the kitchen, and there I made

A salad of fresh fruit in circles arrayed:

Green grapes and tangerine, strawberry slices,

June apple, banana, and raspberries; spices

Not needed, just a few squeezes of lemon

And sprinkle of sugar to please all the women

Expected for luncheon. And please them it did.

It pleased my palate, too. Only one dear old kid

Wanted no fruit but cookies just out of a box.

This was good; it left just enough. Fruit salad rocks.

None of it was left over. I thought I could eat

The whole thing by myself, but I'm glad, now, they beat

Me to that salad's finish. Some food treats are best

Enjoyed when there's just enough for all the rest

And those six perfect bites give delight that's unique,

Not compared with the leftovers eaten all week.

That way memories of the best dessert you ever made

Stay piquant and perfect, and never do fade.

Photo from Google, where it's credited to Natasha's Kitchen. Google has dozens of photos of fruit salads that aren't mine...enough to inspire any cook, whatever may be in the kitchen. Any good fresh unsprayed fruits, alone or together, are likely to become a great, memorable summer dessert.