Poetry Friday: Butter
November 19th, 2010
On this Poetry Friday right before Thanksgiving, I selected a poem by Elizabeth Alexander titled “Butter.” Because what’s a great Thanksgiving meal without butter?
Enjoy!
Butter
Elizabeth Alexander
My mother loves butter more than I do,
more than anyone. She pulls chunks off
the stick and eats it plain, explaining
cream spun around into butter! Growing up
we ate turkey cutlets sauteed in lemon
and butter, butter and cheese on green noodles,
butter melting in small pools in the hearts
of Yorkshire puddings, butter better
than gravy staining white rice yellow,
butter glazing corn in slipping squares,
butter the lava in white volcanoes…
Read the rest of the poem here
Entry Filed under: Uncategorized
4 Comments Add your own
1. Tabatha | November 19th, 2010 at 9:46 am
She definitely has the megawatts.
I went from there to her “The Dirt-Eaters,” which had such an unusual, arresting style with its line-breaks.
Thanks for sharing this poem!
2. Andromeda Jazmon | November 19th, 2010 at 11:00 am
Yes, she definitely nails the joy of butter. I am hungry right now. Great selection for today!
3. Blythe | November 19th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
I love that she reaches out and brings back not only the joy of butter, but the tigers who ran themselves to butter, too. Glorious. Every single image is so dead to right.
4. Ben | November 20th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
I heart all things Elizabeth Alexander touches. I’m hoping she’s on the shortlist for the next U.S. Poet Laureate.
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