Farmer's Market in a Trendy Town

Farmer's Market in a Trendy Town

My bushel baskets of corn

and potatoes must 

lack the allure of Bok Choy,

I suppose.  Lost somewhere

between the purveyors of Bitter Melons,

Amish bread (wrapped in red-checkered cloth),

and bamboo wind chimes, these vegetables

stand a modest chance of sharing a plate

with a thick pork chop. 

Birkenstock-shod women wander

through this market, some with poodles

and Labradoodles on short leashes milling

about at their feet, restless, sniffing.

One of the ladies, fingers as long

as Half-Runner beans, lingers

 

at my table.  She says nothing,

only fondles an ear of corn,

undressing it with her eyes.

Then another.  With nails

as sharp as a pruning shears,

 

she digs deep into the husk,

probing.  The ear falls from her hand,

returns to the succor of the basket.

Later, I notice her again,

those razors slicing up an Empire apple

looking for what, I don't know.

'Lo and behold, it must be a little

soft.  Or too small.  Or too large.

My pearls bring a better price 

throwing them before swine.

Reviews

[Mark]

So, is the core message that people can be so specialized, so caught up in the wonderfulness that is themselves that they begin to live life at a very peripheral level, unconsciously destroying everything they touch? And how IS Seattle at this time of year, Todd?
Would you please be among the first to review my recent (10 minutes ago!) submission, "WHY?: A 9-11 Question"?

[Alexa Apothic Red]

Oh my goodness! This was a great imagery-filled sensory-rich story of the goings on in the farmers market.. and for me, your language absolutely sent me in the sensual direction.. what innuendo! Made me think, this woman is actually after cucumbers.. And the whole “trendy town” thing placed me in Asheville if I were just poking in the dark. I’m from Jonesborough, so Asheville kind of fit that context for me.

[Mockingbird]

don't cast pearls to the swine...biblical, i think, but i don't know the context and therefore the phrase. but now i think i understand that your items are better than this woman who goes around squeezing and digging her nails to find the perfect fruit, and that, you, by throwing it to the swine is better than selling anything to her because she's worse than swine( ? )

[Rick Puetter]

Dear Todd,

Wow. This is a very unusual piece for you. (So glad to see you posting on WC, BTW!)

Content is marvelous. Descriptive, concise, accurate. Wonderful words, painting an unmistakeable picture. One we've all seen if we were looking.

A very unusual piece for you, as I've said. This is not my favorite style of poetry, but the execution is top notch. High marks for that.

All the best,

Rick