Some might say that Motortopia is not the place for poetry. I think some of the passion about cars, bikes, boats, and planes here on Motortopia sometimes borders on a poetic understanding.

In any event, I have been to enough shows in the past year to know that a big part of that experience is some good, ole', American fried food. Enjoy this piece, and get ready for some good eatin'

Fried Beauty

Glory be to God for breaded things--
Catfish, steak finger, pork chop, chicken thigh,
Sliced green tomatoes, pots full to the brim
With french fries, fritters, life-float onion rings,
Hushpuppies, okra golden to the eye,
That in all oils, corn or canola, swim

Toward mastication's maw (O molared mouth!);
Whatever browns, is dumped to drain and dry
On paper towels' sleek translucent scrim,
These greasy, battered bounties of the South:
Eat them.

Here are the credits:

American Life in Poetry: Column 166

BY TED KOOSER, U.S. POET LAUREATE, 2004-2006

Texas poet R. S. Gwynn is a master of the light touch. Here he picks up on Gerard Manley Hopkins' sonnet "Pied Beauty," which many of you will remember from school, and offers us a picnic instead of a sermon. I hope you enjoy the feast!

P.S. For those of you interested in receiving updates on American Life and Poetry, head on over to AmericanLifeInPoetry.org.

Have a good one.

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