Top This

He who distinguishes the true savor of his food can never be a glutton; he who does not cannot be otherwise. - Thoreau

Have you ever noticed the way people look when they're carrying a pizza down the street?

Oblivious to everyone they meet.

Rushing home or to the car, balancing that awkward, divulging box.

Small, medium or large.

The bigger the better, no matter the charge.

Feeling as though it reflects their sexuality or wealth.

Perhaps a rumination of their zest for life.

Some looking poor with a small and rich with an extra large.

Others embarrassed that everyone knows where they've been and what they're having to eat.

And how 'bout the ones who look like lepers?

Rushing off with sausage and peppers.

Many wear a weird, stupid grin.

Like they're carrying the holy grail.

As if they're the president with an entourage.

Make way for royalty.

Holding Heaven's keys.

Indisputable owners of extra cheese.

Treading the precarious way with stealth.

Holding steadfast to newly acquired  tomato wealth.

Witches may have brooms but I've got mushrooms.

I'm only in college but already have olives.

Toting tears with their onions.

Makin' with the bacon.

Wondering which one's the ham.

Their stature may be phony.

Just get out of their way 'cuz ...

... they've been endowed with pepperoni ...

Author's Note

"There is not one kind of food for all men. You must and you will feed those faculties which you exercise. The laborer whose body is weary does not require the same food with the scholar whose brain is weary." - Thoreau

Reviews

[emmajoy]

Your best friend has a quote for everything, Pete! ' He who distinguishes the true savor of his food can never be a glutton; he who does not cannot be otherwise. - Thoreau "

That and the picture make great introductions to your cleverly created poem.. trouble is - in the midst of reading it I felt absolutely famished!
But seriously, this is a clever combination of fine phrases and what some would call ' a good old snack'! Plus.. yet more, . you've converted food into observations of society, of show and tell, or tragically. nothing to show. It's all there hiding away or readers to notice. Clever in all its guises; worth reading three times at least. (Hope this makes sense, my laptop didn't want to work, kept stalling.)

[Pete]

lol - indeed, it does seem that he had something to say about everything. who doesn't like pizza, right?! thank you for deep-dish review. lol - your laptop probably stopped working because of the pizza residue on your fingers ... :)

[emmajoy]

You and your x-ray eyes! Seriously, this is such a clever write, Pete.. needs a slow read or two to appreciate its various nuances. (Good word, huh!)

[barleygirl]

Holy crud! You've taught me a huge lesson here about what I've been missing in the boondocks. If you live near enuf to town, you get it delivered . . . if not, you order frozen from Schwan's! I have never carried a damn pizza box or seen one carried, but I have to believe someone who writes about it as if he's been doing a multi-year study on it. Geez! This is delightfully imaginative & I love that you stretch many of your observations to the almost-absurd in a peppery pepperoni way (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Pete]

lol. I'm currently living in a low-income city just outside of boston and i see it often enough that it deserved a write. "Holy crud" is not an available topping in my area but coming from you, I'll take that as a compliment. my best to you as always ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Ha ha Pete. You have me smiling here and yes size matters, pizzas and all :) I applaud your observations. In my household the younger family members, (all still living at home) , keep the delivery boy in business. It's deliveries all the way, but I have to tell you when I put those empty cardboard boxes into our recycling bin, which is within range of the eyes of neighbours, there are only large ones going in there. So they either think we are greedy or have too much money to spend. P. S I am not a lover of pizza. The others adore it, with all the variety of toppings. On the plus side.... no washing up. Your poem is both entertaining and very well crafted.

Chris

[Pete]

lol (especially about the neighbors)! deliveries do spare us some of those feelings of being in the spotlight. am surprised that you're not a fan of it. glad that your crew enjoys it. i never do deliveries though - too much of a hunter & gatherer. thanks for spilling your thoughts ... :)

[Fran Marie]

Okay Pete now you've
done it..im starving for
a pizza after reading this
tasty piece of pizzeria
delight..

The only way to "top this"
is to call papa John's now
and make it materialize
lol..

[Pete]

thanks fran. now i'm hungry and roaring with laughter ... :)