FIRST RHUBARB OF THE SEASON
I have to watch very carefully the rhubarb grow
As quite often into the back garden I like to go,
I look at the rhubarb patch to see when it will be
Ready for thinning out to be healthy as can be.
Well this morning the right time had come
For the thinning task at last to get done,
I carefully choose which stems are strong,
Then gently pick some to let others come along.
Lots of baby shoots showed when I thinned out
A good crop this year, with joy we will all shout,
The problem the first picking is always too small,
We only get such a little taste not enough at all.
With a small amount of apple I may make a pie,
Or a nice crumble, oh no, I think I may just die
Someone has eaten it raw, hardly any left at all,
Now he won’t get any when desert comes to call.
I cannot really do that to him, for we have been
Deprived most of winter through, have not seen
The sight of Rhubarb the whole season through,
It smelt so good what else could a rhubarb lover do,
The last of my bottled had gone by Christmas day
And this is the first that rhubarb has come our way.
(Millicent) Ann Margetson 11 May 2005