Tumeric, tumeric–
coppery-golden spice!
Rubbed on fish,
rubbed on chicken–
it’s finger-lickin’
good!
Add it to rice,
drink it in tea–
a little bit goes far!
It can save your life,
chase the blues away,
reduce the stress and strife.
Shake it out
and give a shout–
you’ve found a true elixir.
Let the military band retire,
let War and all its sins expire!
Just pass turmeric around!
There’s plenty to go around!
Share the bounty of the Earth!
Make a joyful sound!
A teaspoon’s worth
can give new birth;
let the hills resound–
there’s plenty to go around,
sharing in rebirth.
(Auto-copyright: This poem originally appeared on Transcend Media Service (TMS) on 10 October 2016. TMS: Ode to Tumeric!, )
Gary Corseri has published and posted articles, fiction and poems at hundreds of global venues, including, Countercurrents, Redbook Magazine, Counterpunch, The New York Times, Village Voice, Outlook India and Japan Times. He has published 2 novels and 2 collections of poetry, and his dramas have been produced on PBS-Atlanta and elsewhere. He edited the Manifestations literary anthology; has performed his poems at the Carter Presidential Library and Museum; and has taught in universities in the US and Japan, and in US public schools and prisons. Contact: Gary_Corseri@comcast.
Used in food recipes
Turmeric has the value
Of an anti-people biotic
And properties of medicine .
Take powdered turmeric paste
And rub on the wounds
It’s anti- sceptic value
Is revealed when it helps blood to clot .