Battenberg, and other sugary joys.
A Snacktime Sonata
When captaining a pirate ship
Whether skipper or first mate,
By four o’clock your sugars dip,
And we ask Cook for a plate.
It’s also thus when waging war,
Or at the least a quibble,
‘twix Barbie and her Skeletor,
We’ll treaty for a nibble.
And if we’re slumped before TV,
Our appetites won’t dwindle,
Our engine’s always on you see,
Our hunger will still kindle.
If mother plans the thing quite right,
Then just as things get ugly,
A snack arrives to quell the fight,
She’ll sip her tea quite smugly.
A cupcake, squat in silver foil,
Topped thick with sickly icing,
Or liquorice wound in a coil,
Its central sweet enticing.
Perhaps a yoghurt in a pot,
“French set”, as smooth as custard.
A Wagon Wheel would hit the spot,
Ice lollies have us mustered.
But Battenberg’s the master plan,
Those squares of pink and yellow,
Within a frame of marzipan,
For that we grow quite mellow.
Until, of course, the sugar hits,
And sends us hyperactive,
Excites our minds and dulls our wits,
With colours psychoactive!
Comments (16)
I love Battenberg, it's a huge favourite here. I loved the imagery of play pretend. Pirate ships and Barbie V. skeletor. But what was your mum thinking, trying to calm you all down with e-numbers? Hehehe
Haha! You've got several of my childhood favourites in here, especially Wagon Wheels and Battenberg itself. Lovely poem!
Such a joyous poem- this made me smile, I loved the idea of mther timing it right! Perfect!🤍
Soon to be followed by that crushing fall into exhaustion & depression. (Sugar as a drug is actually classified as a depressant rather than a stimulant. That sugar rush tends to be brief.)
Enjoyed it a lot, and your flow is awesome. Nice arrangement of perfect words..
Lol..all the people that had to google Battenberg, when I clicked as soon as I saw this because of the reference. One of my all-time favourite cakes. Wagon Wheels are great too...those smaller now (not starting on the shrinkflation honest). This is wonderful, Hannah. A real sweet treat!
What is a Battenberg and what is a wagon wheel. Nevertheless, they all sound fascinating and tasty. Certainly enough to soothe the wee ones.
I Googled Battenburg and realised that I know that cake but I didn't know what it's called, lol. Your poem was so yummy and nostalgic!
This feels just like a Wonka dream! I love the rhyme scheme, the momentum, the hyperactivity in each verse, but also the structure that connotes the presence of mom. Such a joyful read!
Anything sponge cake has my attention! Love your poem! 💓
Delightful poem although I have never heard of battenberg - you have got me imagining it😀
Battenberg. Yum. It almost makes me want to catch a flight home! Great one Hannah! Yum!!
This poem is one long smile. Simply delicious! I'd love to try the Battenberg one day but given that I live in the US not sure how I will ever do that without making it myself!
This was a delightful read, Hannah! Loved the playing pirate intro, it really set the stage and the toy particulars! Had to look up a few of the treats, including Battenberg🫣
I had to Google battenburg cake. I've never seen one before, which surprises me. Looks good. Great job the poem as well. I laughed at the part about Mom smugly sipping tea. Reminds me of my mom.
Wonderful imagery! I am hungry now! Well done!