recipe for memories (Monday Poem)

by Marilyn Singer


Sometimes it's just a sharp whiff of mustard,
and you recall being at the ball park.
The sight of a cone dripping custard,
and you're there at the fair after dark.

The sound of corn popping -- movies with Dad.
The buzz of the mixer when Grandma bakes pies.
The soup that Mom serves the day you're feeling bad.
The birthday surprise of your grandpa's french fries.

The too much red pepper that caused you to sneeze.
The store where you thought you'd bite into a lime.
The slushy your drank till it made your brain freeze.
The stories that start, "And then there was that time . . ."

Today becomes last week, June, July, December.
Food has the power to help you remember.




from Follow the Recipe: Poems About Imagination, Celebration & Cake
by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
Dial, 2020

recipe for fairy tales (Monday Poem)

by Marilyn Singer


Take three bowls of porridge (too hot, too cold, just right)
a gingerbread house
an apple Snow White shouldn't eat
a basket of goodies for Grandma
a handful of magical beans
a gathering of ramps (whatever that means)
a single pea.

Put in several witches
princesses, giants
a boy with a lamp
an ugly duckling
a cat that can talk
a humongous bean stalk
a juniper tree.

They don't have to be fancy.
They don't have to rhyme.
But you'll implore,
you'll ask for more
     "once upon a time."




from Follow the Recipe: Poems About Imagination, Celebration & Cake
by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
Dial, 2020

recipe for science (Monday Poem)

by Marilyn Singer


This kitchen
is
your laboratory:
combining
molecules,
forming
crystals,
growing
good microbes.
Pickling
cucumbers.
Cool!
Assembling
rock candy.
Sweet!
Scrambling
eggs.
Fresh!
What's cooking?
Science!

Science,
what's cooking?
Fresh
eggs
scrambling.
Sweeet
rock candy
assembling.
Cool
cucumbers
pickling.
Good microbes
growing.
Crystals
forming.
Molecules
combining.
Your laboratory
is
this kitchen!




from Follow the Recipe: Poems About Imagination, Celebration & Cake
by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
Dial, 2020

recipe for following recipes (Monday Poem)

by Marilyn Singer


Sometimes you must follow things strictly word for word.
Sometimes it's more lively if you improvise.
The tried and true may sometimes be exactly what's preferred.
Sometimes you must do it strictly word for word.
Tuna fish and caramel would surely be absurd.
But sweet potato pizza? And excellent surprise!
Sometimes you must follow things strictly word for word.
Sometimes it's more lively if you imrovise.



from Follow the Recipe: Poems About Imagination, Celebration & Cake
by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
Dial, 2020

recipe for success in cooking (Monday Poem)

by Marilyn Singer


Crack your eggs when you're happy.
Beat them well when you're glad.
Melt your butter in a saucepan.
Take your eggs and gently add.
Stir them slowly till they're scrambled.
Serve them to your mom and dad.
Things taste best when you are cheerful.
Never cook when you are mad.


from Follow the Recipe: Poems About Imagination, Celebration & Cake
by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
Dial, 2020