Tomato
An ode
My tongue tingles,
my teeth water,
my brain echoes their name.
Tomato. Tomato. Tomato.
Never will a taste be my last,
break of smooth, shiny skin
like a bubble bursting
to reveal true maturity as toxic femininity.
-
Grandmother picked them
from the Amish boy's stand while I crushed
on his bowl cut in knee-length shorts
mandated by my mother.
Flies buzzed by squash, and
breezes ruffled tent flaps, but
the tomatoes were glorious, plump gemstones
in that crop dust ocean.
His cheeks were river stones, his hands sandpaper,
but he handled Grandmother's picks
like babies' heads.
-
At the kitchen table, I melted when my teeth sank
through clouds of white bread and
carved cliff sides into processed cheese slices
and broke red fruit flesh,
sparkling with salt crystals.
Grandmother boasted her refreshment, but I
was too enamored with the taste of health to speak,
or breathe,
or remember the hands that grew them,
or held them,
or picked them,
or prayed over them.
-
Tomato. Tomato. Tomato.
My every old summer thought
and first star wish.
From crave-quenching fork crunch
to thirst-satisfying finger slurp.
From Jersey dining room salad to
Paris rooftop sweet pizza.
Forever my cheeks' porn,
my tastiest crush.
-
This poem was written in response to the Ode to Ordinary Challenge issued by Vocal: "Write an ode to an ordinary object."
About the Creator
Emma Kate Coleman
An overworked hard news journalist seeking creativity and community. Lover of dogs, antique stores and homemade bread. Thrift queen and photography peasant. Happy to be here. :)
"Write hard and clear about what hurts." - Ernest Hemingway
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Has German intelligence issued a warning about a potential Russian attack on NATO within this year?
According to an alleged leak of German Intelligence, Russia is preparing for a full-scale war with NATO by 2026. The leak points to the reorganization of the Russian army, movement of troops, and mobilization of the defense industry. 😳🎖️ The report suggests that within five years, Russian military strength could double. While the veracity of the report is yet to be confirmed, the evidence of Russia's preparations is already evident. 💀💪 Western support for Ukraine has been a critical factor in Russia's evolving stance. The West's reluctance to provide decisive aid and commit to a Russian defeat has emboldened Putin's ambitions. 😒💸 Russia has adapted its military tactics, offered lucrative pay packages to recruits, and mobilized its industry for war. Russian defense spending has doubled, and production of military equipment has skyrocketed. 🇷🇺💰 Sanctions? Psh, Russia's finding ways around those. They're still getting their hands on the parts they need to keep the war machine running. And let's face it, this isn't just a phase – they're in it for the long haul. 😤🔧 NATO's hesitancy to challenge Russia directly has given Putin reason to believe he could win a war of attrition against NATO's eastern flank, potentially targeting the Baltics, Poland, and even Finland. 😬🌍 Russia's goal may be to force the Baltics back into its sphere of influence, close the Suwalki gap, and prove that NATO's Article 5 commitment is a joke, potentially leading to the alliance's disintegration. 😈💀 The United States' commitment to NATO has become questionable, with former President Trump expressing sympathy for Putin and threatening to pull the US out of the alliance. 🇺🇸⚰ Europe's starting to sweat bullets over the idea of Russia taking Ukraine and then coming for them next, especially if the US withdraws its support. 😩🇪🇺 As Russia prepares for war, Europe must take decisive action to support Ukraine and strengthen its own defenses, potentially even without US support, to counter the growing Russian threat. 🤷♂️🚨
By Infographics Showa day ago in Poets
Can You Drive a Ford Fiesta Through a Desert?
I’m flying down the B1 highway from Windhoek to Keetmanshoop with a map and a boot full of camping gear. I’m excited for the first stop of my Namibian road trip: the Quiver Tree Forest. I spot the sign and turn onto the C17, off the tarmac and onto the gravel. I’ll be there soon; it’s only ten miles or so. I am unprepared for what comes next. The car slides and slips across the road. I am not fully in control anymore. I slow to a crawl. The car judders and shudders, the noise deafening, the vibrations rattling the teeth in my skull. It takes me around an hour to drive the ten miles. I arrive at the campsite relieved to be in one piece, even if it feels like all my bones have been shaken slightly out of place. I will later learn that this is what happens when the gravel road becomes “corrugated”, and that the roads authority goes round once a week to “grade” them. Seems I arrived about 6 days after the grader had last been round.
By Jenifer Nima day ago in Wander
Comments (22)
I've never been able to keep raw tomatoes down. Mom tried three times with me: first at the table, second away from the table, third over the sink. At least the mess was easy to clean up the third time. Yet I don't believe I could have grown up without tomato soup, tomato catsup, tomato paste, tomato sauce, salsa. I have always loved the taste. Just don't force me to eat them raw. Lovely ode.
I loved reading this, and I love tomatoes too.
excellent image of a tomato. I never looked at them that way.
Love the line “forever my cheeks porn!” Great line! Great poem! Love it!
Absolutely love this!! A poignant and thoughtful piece on how we tie certain produce to vivid memories and emotions
Cool, Congratulations 🎉
Glad to see this getting some love, love love! Congrats Emma on Top Story!
That was wonderful and now I want a tomato sandwich. Congrats on the TS.
If I wasn’t t in love with tomatoes before, I certainly am now! What a wonderful tribute with gorgeous images painted by your exquisite words! Now off to eat a tomat!
Absolutely perfect! All of it! You are so talented with creating imagery! I hate tomatoes but loved this! 🤍
Brilliant and love it!!!💕❤️❤️
Oh my word. It's lunch time as I'm writing this. I've got bloomer bread, crumbly cheese and sweet plump tomatoes. I hold you fully responsible for my lunch choice and was salivating before I made it. What an ode.
I love this and love the images you create as well as your words
What tender way to remember the flavor of childhood loves. Beautifully spun!!
Well now. I love tomatoes and I was salivating by the end of this stunning and creative ode. Well done, Emma! BTW (Do you prefer Emma Kate or Emma? I keep switching between the two but thought I'd best ask) :)
Wow this was An amazing ode to a tomato!!! Now I want one….
This was fun and definitely creative. I loved the line "At the kitchen table, I melted when my teeth sank through clouds of white bread and carved cliff sides into processed cheese slices" Awesome! 🤩
Ah, tomatoes. Thanks for the vivid capture in words of such a delicious taste of summer. Today's lunch? A tomato sandwich, of course.
This was such a wonderful ode! The cover pic, did you draw that?
Very zesty and creative poem, lovely.
I love tomatoes. Very creative.
Oh damn! I can taste this poem and it’s delicious! *chef’s kiss*