No Lamb Today

English garden mint in our herb border
struggles in straggly seasonal neglect

memories drift to mum’s Sunday lunches
when a joint of Welsh lamb would spit

in a piping hot oven where basted and
roasted tatters browned to crisp perfection

remember how she added freshly chopped
mint to vinegar and a teaspoon of sugar

unthinkable to carve and serve without
a sauce to enhance the succulent flavour

how all seven of us would be seated round
the table together waiting to pass the gravy

inflated prices these days mean a leg of
lamb has become an out of pocket luxury

the sheep grazing in the valleys and hills
of ancestral song are surely safe from us

Reviews

[Another Relic]

I don't think we realize how good we have it when we're young. Times change and I often with it wouldn't. I too remember family dinners with the family. These days, there's only a table for one, and even for me, favorites must wait, or not show up at all.

Greandparents are great when we're young.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Tim. The table for one sounds so lonely. Such lovely memories I have of those Sunday roasts. Long time ago now. All the best to you.

[Ken Simm.]

I think many of us will appreciate this both for its points and the quality of its writing. Love it.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Ken. Pleased you enjoyed the read. All the best.

[W. Barrett Munn]

Nicely done, Chris. A walk back through memories and tying them to today.

Winston

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Winston for your support. So much appreciated.

[willweb]

This was wonderful Chris. Though lamb is not a common menu item here in the states, at least not that I am aware of, my mother loved lamb with mint jelly. As a kid I didn't care for it much but did learn to like it as I got older. Your poem reminded me of her kitchen when she would make the dish. Really nicely done my friend.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear will, happy that my poem reminded you of your mum’s kitchen. Thanks so much for stopping by.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

It is absolutely insane and criminal the prices for common items and food today. A small bag of groceries that may have cost about 20 dollars is now closer to 60 or more. And growing. The greed of these corporations is inhumane. And I don't see it getting any better unfortunately until they have raised costs to an exorbitant amount it causes riots in the streets. In this day and age of abundance it is unconscionable that people are still left to starve.

[JessyJacob]

I know organic right?

[Chris Shaw]

Carlos, the price of food is rocketing. It is shameful that we have people in the world starving to death. It seems that your inflation rate is even higher than that in the UK. Thank you my friend for sharing your valuable thoughts.

[Soren]

A comment on the times. I love lamb chops but dan't get them here in Brazil where I am. Even if I could I'm sure the price is astronomical. All meat is expensive and I find myself eating more salad. Oh, but yes! Your poem got my mind working and I am already salivating.

[Soren]

I am of the opinion that all that I eat is living and I only reincorporate it into my living organism which too will be reincorporated in other organisms when I die.

[JessyJacob]

sorry i dont mean that.

[JessyJacob]

dont talk like that.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Soren. Thank you so much for your response. It appears that the price of meat everywhere is getting out of hand. We are eating less of it too. Have to say that lamb chops are delicious. Can’t remember when I had them last. Looks like Jessy has joined in our conversation :) Always good to have your thoughts on my page my friend. Enjoy the rest of the day.

[Tom]

A wonderfully endearing write that's spiced with culinary delight, fond memories indeed!

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Tom, thank you for a delightful review. I cherish my memories of my parents and siblings enjoying a roast lamb special on Sundays. Off the menu at the moment, but hopefully not for good. Inflated prices are certainly making us think before we spend. Have a good Sunday.

[AYVID N]

Dear Chris,
A beautifully written and relatable poem for me, living in India where the common man cannot afford meat and chicken anymore. Fish is unthinkable. Even vegetables are a luxury now. The pandemic made it worse. I'm grateful I don't have to look at the price tags as I have a really great job.

My brother, a doctor and a British citizen practicing in Northern Ireland though had to leave the country en-family for greener pastures in Dubai after the Russia-Ukraine War. I hope things get better for all of us.

Once again, I love your poetry for always raising such thought provoking, burning issues in such elegantly written poems. Thank you for sharing such wonderful memories from your childhood. They are so precious to read.
Kudos! ❤

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks dear divya and for adding this one to your favorites. Such a delight for me. The pandemic and the war in Ukraine has certainly made many of us poorer. At least there is plenty of food to choose from even with the increase in prices. I thank my lucky stars we don’t go hungry and I know how to cook and make the best of what is available. I am truly saddened by the plight of people in other parts of the world including India who struggle to find nutritious food. Prices of everything from food to energy and fuel is a hot topic at the moment and inflation is running at a high level in the UK, particularly for food. Energy prices have trebled. Always pleased to have your thoughts. Have a good day my friend. 🌺

[AYVID N]

God has been good to us. For that I'm grateful. Stay blessed, dear Chris! You're welcome always. ❤

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you my friend 🌹

[Lorry]

Ooh, that's got me hankering for some mint sauce and perhaps a mortgage extension for a bit of a leg of lamb. Maybe if I save up I can afford more than it's toes.
Maybe it's just as well I'm practically a V word these days (vegetablist) who'da thunk it, but I even went off bacon when I got a whiff of the grills after smell and made me queasy. Once the make a vegetarian square slice sausage, I'm off. Even veggie haggis is better than haggis, mainly due to not having all the gross bits haggis does, but I remember Sundays round the dinner table, seated at least an hour before it was served, as it was as close as we could get to smelling it without getting in mum's way in the kitchen, where the oven was blaring and every pot we owned was on the go. I was way too accident prone to be allowed any nearer, but I do recall every plate was empty and every mouth too busy to talk. Happy days 😊
Now I'm wondering if it's time for an early dinner or a late lunch.
Nom Nom Nom 😊

[Chris Shaw]

Nom nom. Did you know they have security tags on joints of lamb and beef now? So bloody expensive. My very working class grandparents always managed a Sunday joint and they were quite skint. Maybe it’s a good thing you have gone V? What the hell’s happening to our country. Maybe most of it is down to Ukraine, what with the price of energy which has a knock on effect on everything. Happy days Lorry. Ta for stopping by.

[Lorry]

Yes. I got an online delivery from the supermarket and even vitamin tablets have them now!
I wonder how many investors dumped gold for basic foodstuffs and essential items. I was reading the basket of essential items they figure out inflation and the like and was wondering "how the hell is pesto in there?"
It may very well be essential, but I've never paid for anything that looks like it fell out of an alien with a bad colds nose! 😊

[Chris Shaw]

Ha, pesto is for the younger generation. They have it with pasta you know, even though it looks nasty!! My granddaughter cooks it for me. Tastes better than it looks:)

[Lorry]

I'll take your word for it on the alien cold snot 😉

[Chris Shaw]

It is better hot you know :))

[red93]

👍👍👍👍👍 Excellent Work again Chris, and this one delivered with a wry smile. Caroline used to love her Lamb, but personally I have always preferred a nice Pork Joint with crackling. Lovely stuff ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Tony. My husband prefers roast pork with all the trimmings, but I love my lamb with mint sauce. Did you know that joints of lamb and beef have security tags on them now in the supermarkets. What a state of affairs. Have a good weekend.

[red93]

Interesting re the Security tags Chris. I was in our local Coop recently, and a young woman was filling up her basket with meat items - so much so that I thought
'She must be well off'. However when her basket was full, she made a dash for the street, with a Coop Manager in hot pursuit !

The Coop Manager returned after a couple of minutes, with the full basket of meat. 'Her again' he said to his Lady Colleague. 'We'll have to be quicker next time !'

[Chris Shaw]

Yes Tony. A valuable item now. Pinch it and flog it for less than the retail price. A sign of the times.

[red93]

Yes Chris and I bet there are a few Pubs locally where the joints of meat could change hands for Cash and no questions asked where they came from !

[Chris Shaw]

Absolutely Tony!!