The Scent Of Onions Poem by Eddie Roa

Behold an onion out of a hat
Eager to be put in a pot
It was the only one said the chef
And the dish will be bland without

It was an ungainly sight to see
Skin so dried and dirty splotches wrap
It will do cried the kitchen staff
After a wash and ugly layers peeled

Its humble bulbous shape
Seemed innocuous on sight
But each layer peeled spewed bile
And pungent rot reeked out

The dirty layer peeled
Gave sight to more dirt inside
And they peeled on with hope
That no more dirt be found

So eager to get the dish begin
With cheers from all
Peeled on till putrid essence squirt
All with unfelt tears began to shed

Peel off the dirt they said
But each layer found dirt anew
Now wafted redolence pervade
But still the encouraging cheer

We need an onion no matter what
The one on hand will have to do
Toss it into the stewing brew
And the need will be satisfied

Men both great and lowly
Insist on the culinary treat
No rest till avid palate served
Blighted onion has saved the feast

True heroes and saints are hard to find
Once one seems right we lionize without delay
Feet of clay and checkered past ignored
Another Baal to mesmerize us anew