Angels in the Roux

isavern oshea lushan larouix

was fond of eating bug fondue

one couldn't very well blame her though

for she was only two

along with her siblings constantly hiding

hiding in the small family garden

hiding nestled cozy amongst the cucumber

and okra blossoms

along side her sat sjhoe jauque and simpkin

while bo-bo stood watching, as look out,

not far from the pumpkins

for if mother found out there would be no more

dinner or dumplings

no thick brown roux

for the gumbo stew

and worst of all ever still

no more bug fondue

to be eaten with krill

no boiled chics, no crawdads

and this would make isavern o'shea

lushan larouix very sad

so bo-bo stood watch with a delicate listen

simpkin counted the bugs as to make

sure none were missing

he counted them once

and then counted them twice

he counted once more and then added the rice

he counted three grass hoppers

two earth worms

one fly

one spider

one stick-bug that had only one eye

while sjho jacque gathered onions

okra and squash

isavern brought over the hose

for the wash

when the wash was complete

and all items present stood clean

four plates were set forth by four children

four napkins:

all green

the mixture was mixed by eight hands

with no cares

while the big people indoors paid no attention

just putting on airs

the final ingredient was

to come from the ground

so the children scurried about the yard

as to make not one sound

a pinch of dirt was taken from a favorite spot by the tous

one pinch for each girl child

one pinch for each boy

sjho jauque found his earth under the swing

simpkin found hers and almost let out a scream

bo-bo found his near the tractor that had stood

to long in the rain

while isavern found her earth

then drifted off into dream

when all reunited in the garden;

fondue finally ready

uncle donald bolted from the woods with alligator tail

in one hand

and in the other a machety

a smile from ear to ear for supper

soon would be on the table

corn on the cob

green bean casserole

yams with fresh maple

red peppers and capers

the young in the front room

the old in the center

the very old on the porch

with the pipe and the daily newspaper

the last thing that was set forth by mother before meal

was her mixing into the food the feelings

she'd feel

so she looked out in the yard at her four young

ones at play

gave a smile to each one and a little prayer

for the day

she then took this love from the air and called

the children to table

one

two

three

four angels present

but still none at dessert time would consider

sharing the maple

for isavern kistler

by claushtane bertron