Dear Okra
I do not like Okra, let me tell you why.
Dear Okra,
I know you’re sustenance for all of us, but oh nah!
Every time I try to ingest you provoke a
Convulsion in the back of my throat consistently
My body rejected your presence persistently
They say whenever something is cooked it becomes better
But your texture simply becomes wetter
Like slime slithering in my mouth forever
Apologies, but I can’t continue that endeavour
Whenever you end up on my plate you’ve sealed your fate
In the bin you’ll end up, and there you’ll wait
Maybe after being recycled you’ll gain a new face
Maybe after that you’ll be replaced
By something useful and non-repellent like your old self
That hairy exterior forever creeps me
Topped only by the interior, with shivers it greets me
I wish you all the best in the future
Goodbye Okra, I’m sorry you might end up in the sewer
Sincerely, Me
---
Apparently this is now a poetry series... where we talk about food we hate. I was instruc...inspired by Donna Renee to write this, as i read her piece about hating Marshmellows (here), and she was in turn inspired by Paul Stewart. Let's see if we can keep this going!
A side note: while I don't like Okra (I wasn't lying about that), I do respect food, and I generally just avoid coming across Okra so that I don't have to throw it away. We shouldn't through away food if we can help it... this was just an artistic choice for the poem, that's all.
About the Creator
Mohammed Darasi
I write fiction, poetry and occasional articles about interesting topics. I recently created a website (just because) which I will be posting my writing in (among other things). it would be great if you check it out. https://mindpit.co.uk/
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Comments (13)
I've never had okra and won't be having it based on this poem
Haha! So great, Mohammed! I share your hatred of okra! Perfectly hilarious piece!
"They say whenever something is cooked it becomes better But your texture simply becomes wetter" hahahahaha, this is great!
Okra is supposed to help you poop, or help babies slide out easier for the expectant mom. Slime, or at least that is what they sat back down home in Jamaica. It grew on me as I got older, spiced right it can pass muster. Still slimy.
Lol. This is great. Yeah, I'd throw it out too.
Oh Mohammed this is funny! Straight to the sewer, Okra!
Couldn’t Agree more. Okra is the snot ball of the food world, fried or not.🤢 Loved your epistolary. I actually commented to Donna that my least favorite food is okra so we have similar tastes in not ever wanting to taste the dreaded stuff. Well done!
I’m glad to see you join in! Mine’s waiting to be approved because of foul language. I’ve only had fried okra, which I’m incredibly neutral about. I don’t hate it, but I don’t care if I never have it again. That being said, you did good with this because it made me think those hairs and general sliminess are rather gross.
You now have wayyyyyy more respect from me than you did before. For not wanting to waste food. Thank you so much for that! And I loved your poem!
Okra is meant to be fried, and nothing pairs better with some fried catfish. 😁 That said, this is a great take on the challenge.
I think you would love fried okra better 🌞
This is brilliant! Love the letter format to this one and while I can't totally agree, you manage to capture perfectly why you hate it so much - to the bin with it! Well done, Mohammed!
Ugh yes!! I forgot about the hairy exterior!! 🫣🫣😂. This was so funny!! Loved your point about food waste too!! Makes perfect sense to really try to avoid having something that you can’t tolerate included in your meal (okra, or marshmallows hahah) so you don’t end up wasting it!