A Poem For Good Eaters Poem by Pleasant Dabbs

A thought for my small, always on-the-go friends
I hope you will read this, and your ears will attend:
On your way to the table at the dinner-time bell
When you look at your plate, do you say: 'I'm not well! '


'My head aches, my tummy hurts, and my eyes are all red,
'I think I would rather go straight to my bed! '
So you go to your bedroom, and start to lie down
But then look in the mirror, and detect a big frown


Starting way on the one side, curving ‘round to the other
And you wish you'd not told that big tale to your mother
As we study …how much you like food… in great detail
Then your story of not wanting to eat is a big whale


On your plate there was something quite dreadful you saw
That scared you, and shocked you, like a tarantula
When, in fact, it was just a small, green, Brussels sprout
Which sat there observing you from its lookout


But you had been taught by your friends down the street
That ‘Sir Brussels' was a foe that you never should meet
And so, when you saw him there, ‘lone on your plate
A great fear o'ercame you, as you saw his end fate


In the pit of your stomach he shortly would rest
You wondered if, in fact, your ‘tum' could digest
Such a challenging rival, such a threatening foe
So you faked you were sick, to your bed you did go


All this, so you'd not be obliged to consume
A few ‘pipsqueeks' of cabbage, and a youngsters' sure doom
If ever you slipped and let them pass your lips
You'd be forced to then wash them down with juice and chips


Now, I know there are some of you who aren't ashamed
Of trying just one bite of Brussels' great fame
And some of you think that the sprouts are quite tasty
Of you I beg pardon, hope I've not been too hasty


If I have misjudged and ranked your favorite ‘green'
As something quite dreadful, and much less than ‘keen'
For those who so feel, and think I am unfair
I will suggest others of which you should beware


For some these are peas, for some they are beans
For others it's spinach, or fresh turnip greens
For some cauliflower, or broccoli or beets
Or carrots, or onions, or squash (not so neat)


There are hundreds of ‘veggies', and hundreds of kids
There must be at least one you wouldn't forbid
So give them a try, try them all if you wish
And discover which one of them's your favorite dish


It is very important to find some you like
‘Cause if you are growing, and riding the bike
The ‘veggies' will give you nutrition and strength
To go the full distance, to go the full length


You need vit'min A, and vitamin B,
And then vit'min C, and D, and E
And calcium, iron, and fiber; these three
Plus the vitamins mentioned, will keep you healthy


All these are contained in the vegetable group
When you can't eat them fresh, then at least in your soup
I know you'll feel lively, I know you'll be strong
The vegetable-eaters are those that live long!



--pl dabbs