i
people are like artichokes
difficult
sometimes prickly
but if one is willing
to take the time
to make the effort
the best part is deep inside
ii
take it one succulent leaf at a time
use it to transport flavor into your life
then throw away the dross
iii
take your time
to get to the core
or you may miss something
on the way
iv
artichokes have color
texture
layers
like people
or poetry
v
each artichoke is unique
but in a field
it can get lost in the crowd
if you don’t take time
to look carefully
vi
an artichoke can seem strange
if you didn’t grow up with them
like i did
vii
if you have a bad experience
with an artichoke
you may want to avoid them
i found a fly once
and didn’t eat another for years
i regret it
don’t judge all artichokes
based on one bad one
viii
when you get to the heart
of an artichoke
take time to savor
Linked to Gabriella’s prompt at dVerse Poetics, based on the art of Danny Gregory. Thank you, Danny for allowing us to use your work.
The pub opens Tuesday at 3:00 EST.
Very wise words … I loved the reference to artichoke 🙂
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There is no doubt in my mind that I will think of this poem whenever I see an artichoke. You spoke to so many similarities and it really works! Loved it. 🙂
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I loved this anthology of artichoke in your experience…thanks for words of wisdom: ‘don’t judge all artichokes based on one bad one’ ~ so true about people.
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Full of wisdom….every line counts….thank you..
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This is so neat, Victoria. I’ve heard people compared to onions so many times, but artichokes–brilliant!
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Oh, what wonderful advice of how to approach people and artichokes…my mother served them with melted butter, yum! I especially appreciate your verses vi and vii…
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That artichoke can be so many things… a poetry which has to be touched at the core to be understood, a person without knowing whose heart, you can’t judge what is within.
A beautiful write.
-HA
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I spent too much money on some and they were all so dried up inside that they were prickly through to the heart and out again. And artichokes are like that too.
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That’s exactly why it’s important to choose carefully. Don’t spend money till you know what you’re getting! ;0)
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I enjoy the slow and tasty unveiling of the core of an artichoke, and thus love the analogy to friendship and discovering the core of a new person in my life.
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The heart of the artichoke is the most tender part. I really like where you went with this so many layers to uncover or discover as in stanza III take your time. I like to cook them with some penne and olive oil.
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Thanks for the offer re. artichokes you made in my blog. That made me smile, and I will keep it in mind…but really I wouldn’t have a clue what to do to cook artichokes. Your offer, however, touched me.
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I will send you instructions. Quite easy really! Just takes a while once they are in water on the stove.
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I love the wisdom and the breakdown of this 🙂
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somehow… i think you’re talking about more than artichokes… at least, your reader is
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This is an ode to the artichoke, from the external to the heart of it ~ I like how you broke it down Victoria, like nuggests of wisdom ~
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Wow, you really got to the heart of the matter; an overwhelmingly wonderful take on Danny’s artichoke sketch. I like 4th stanza, where you link artichokes, people, & poetry. I, for one, am glad to be reminded that one can discover poetry in all things.
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I LOVE this, from the title, to the human wisdom that crept in among the artichokes. This was a delight to read.
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I shall never look or eat an artichoke in the same manner again. What a wise poem and yet, not heavy in its tone. but like the artichoke, full of complex simplicity. I definitely savored this poem and shall often think of it.
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I never imagined there was so much wisdom in an artichoke. I do love them.
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Really amazing write, Victoria! Didn’t know we humans and artichokes have so much in common… smiles… Yes, it’s very true that we have lots of layers, although most don’t take the time to search deep within, ya know? No patience nowadays…
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Really amazing write, Victoria! Didn’t know we humans and artichokes have so much in common… smiles… Yes, it’s very true that we have lots of layers, although most don’t take the time to search deep within, ya know? No patience nowadays.
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Indeed the beauty in people lies on their inside, if we would be patient enough to search them out.
I loved reading this.
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ah there’s wonderful wisdom in this one – yes – don’t judge all by one bad one – and take your time with the layers – it is def. worth it
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there is a nice wisdom in this…on artichokes, on reading, on people…on time and patience it takes to really understand any of them…and how dangerous a passing glance is….your use of multiple verses stringed together only adds to the layer…
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The time of eating artichokes .. I find the food itself worth savoring.. just like with people it’s all about spending time with them. I love how you draw so many great metaphors from the parallels, and next time they are in season again I will enjoy them with your images in front of me… especially when I reach the heart..
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Each stanza a treat – loved peeling each one and savoring its flavor – lovely!
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This is a wonderful extended metaphor, Victoria. Having grown up in France, I have eaten artichokes a lot of time but must admit that I have not eaten one in a long time – mainly because they are not easy to cook unless you have a pressure cooker.
But eating them does slow time down, doesn’t it? Just as it takes time to appreciate people beyond the surface.
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I enjoyed the comparisons you have drawn between artichokes and humans, Victoria. So many good ones…I could go on and on. Indeed, each one is unique, but can get lost in a crowd if someone doesn’t pay attention to each one, someone doesn’t take it in their hands and LOOK, really look…and taste, really taste! You mentioned having a bad experience with an artichoke once & avoided them for a while after that. Me? I didn’t have an opportunity to even TRY a real artichoke until about 15 years ago. And then only one time. Now I sometimes have the canned variety on pizza or something, but much of the richness of artichokes, I am sure, is missing for me…just because they are not so common with the people I grew up with or know now. I especially like the ideas of the layers of an artichoke – compared to people & poetry. This poem is a keeper.
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Ah, the art of the artichoke. Such wisdom is contained in this sustained vegetable meditation. I have only eaten them once – It was such a surprise how much time they take to cook. I must try again.
Your sequence of little poems is charming.
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