Friday, November 5, 2010

chicken in every pot



I go the extra mile
to make chicken pie
for supper. While
the incumbent hen
stews, steaming savory
flesh and bones,
with enough thyme
and peppercorns, I
ceremoniously sauté two
primary livers, consider
simplicity, how I like things
explained in words of one
syllable, then pour a fresh
glass of Chianti, dip each
bite, wide, in a puddle
of democratic ketchup,
raise the wine high,
toasting the fowl
and my economy.


Tess Kincaid
November, 2010


Would you like me to read it to you?




122 comments:

  1. Oh, this is delicious on several levels: sensory, thematic, and auditory....Most enjoyable.

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  2. Excellent! And what a wonderful bonus to have it read by your good self.

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  3. Laughing out loud at this. Fowl or foul?

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  4. Yes, I did enjoy hearing your lovely voice.

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  5. Brilliant! One of my favorite poems written by you. And, to have you read it...such a bonus!

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  6. Sounds delicious yes! I myself love chicken pot pie especially! I took a more pessimistic look to it at http://thelunaticsdiary.blogspot.com/2010/11/silent-fourth-day.html

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  7. you know... you can take the girl away from ketchup but you can never take the ketchup away from the girl

    well you could, but you'd never live to tell about it

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  8. Rene, you're talkin' to one ketchup lovin' girl.

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  9. Wonderful, Tess! I really enjoyed hearing your voice, too. Isn't technology amazing?

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  10. Wow, I wouldn't have the nerve to do that. At the sound of my voice, everyone runs for the door.
    Great stuff, though. Lots of words to play upon, plenty of pictures to conjure up from your economical use of language. I love the "democratic ketchup" part. LOL
    -- Kay

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  11. Well now, Tess, I've seen it all. What a treat to hear you read your poem to me. Let me tell you what I fixed for my supper tonight. I made some homemade vanilla ice cream in my trusty Cuisinart and will scoop it atop the white peaches I canned this summer.

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  12. I enjoyed your reading very much. Did you get it recorded all in one take? I can't even record my answering maching greeting without stammering.

    Was there a political subtext in this piece, or am I overthinking it?

    Whatever...who wouldn't want a chicken in every pot! Thank you, Herbert Hoover.

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  13. Love the political bent of this poem, fits right in with voting this week. Huzzah!

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  14. Good show, I got to hear your voice. very nice. Sweet dreams..yvonne

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  15. Great idea. A tasty morsel indeed.

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  16. wow. great to hear your voice willow! and a very nice verse...wish there was a chicken in every pot...

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  17. Janice, surprisingly enough, I did read this all in one take. The first run through was a keeper!

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  18. Donna, I'll be right over for some leftovers!

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  19. I love hearing your voice! I am glad you had a nice dinner. Though I cannot appreciate it as a vegetarian (the meal that is) I can appreciate the poetry. You have to grace us more times with a reading.

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  20. As I like to say to my grnadson- do you want some ketchup with that chicken?? Your post rocks, as usual!

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  21. I know your words are not meant to make me hungry but they do! I love hearing you read your poems to me. That is such a nice extra treat. I am 7,912 words today on my NaNo. I'm still going to keep going with my Magpie while doing NaNo. Magpie is the reason I even have the guts to try 50,000 words in 30 days:)

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  22. Very nice -- I just bought aqn external mic so I can record a bit from my last book for my blog,

    I love chicken livers but hold the ketchup. Actually, I like gizzards and hearts even better...

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  23. Everyone turns their nose up when they see me put ketchup on my steak. I can't help it.

    I came out the closet years ago. I don't care what they think anymore. It was so liberating and did wonders for my mental health.

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  24. Willow,
    Gee whiz girl, I felt like I was there in the house with you; iI hear your voice as we sip our wine and smell the food as it cooks with your sure hand.
    I think this is done with words of one sound.
    rel ;)

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  25. I love to hear you read your own poetry! I agree with previous comments that it truly is an extra treat, although I'm glad you chose the hen. :) The Bach (The Rooster) Cocka~Doodle~Doo

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  26. Deliciously delightful piece. Love the flavors explored here.

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  27. You created a political and poetical masterpiece ... letting us hear you was a magic touch.

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  28. "how I like things
    explained in words of one
    syllable" ~ I'm with you! Loved hearing you read this. Made me hungry. Pass the ketchup! :)

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  29. That rooster looks like it's his girlfriend in the pot. I'd be careful.

    Enjoyed this - thanks.

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  30. Strong voice, enjoyable piece-at-large. Ketchup eh? Well nevertheless: a sensory delight!

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  31. i know one reason why the chicken has cocked its head like that.. poor creature.. now, im ready for supper.

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  32. Its wonderful Tess. the buildup is great and the end so beautiful... thanks for sharing...

    ॐ नमः शिवाय
    Om Namah Shivaya
    Twitter: @VerseEveryDay
    Blog: http://shadowdancingwithmind.blogspot.com

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  33. Democratic ketchup and toasting the fowl, gosh this was a fun read!

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  34. This was a very good read... :)

    Here's my blog:

    http://myriad-sumit.blogspot.com/

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  35. While ketchup may be democratic, I don't think we've yet learned how to "share the wealth" well enough that there will be a chicken in every pot.

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  36. Willow, your voice has just the richness I imagined it would have. Lovely!

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  37. just wanted to add...great to see you over at oneshot as well...smiles.

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  38. No wonder this one's staring in utter terror. lol!

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  39. Are there leftovers?....A delicious poem....with a common message we all can relate to....love this one Willow! :-)

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  40. Makes it more real hearing your voice, willow. Could it be also a 'chicken in the basket' that savoury Chinese dish!

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  41. To be honest...just seeing the words chicken livers and ketchup together made me squirm! For me a repulsive image:)

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  42. I can almmost smell your kitchen -And I really like the description 'democratic ketchup'
    That's a savory morsel!

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  43. nice one shot! and the added vocal is really fun.

    what we would do without ketchup???

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  44. It seems that we have bothed waxed political with our bird brained friend.

    I love chicken livers. Seriously.

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  45. Oh, what one can do with a chicken! Loved your reading! Thanks

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  46. My democratic ketchup has a little spicy mustard mixed with it.

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  47. awesome!!

    I love your creativity :)

    have a wonderful Magpie ride

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  48. I LOVE Tilda Swinton. Yep.

    It's a chilly rainy afternoon in DC. I've got "Hannah and Her Sisters" queued up. As soon as my cup of tea is brewed, I'm going to curl up (woolly socks are already on) and watch and enjoy.

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  49. Reya, I'm not sure why the Netflix queue came up on Facebook when I exported this poem. Wacky.

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  50. Perfect ingredients in the poem and the recipe, lovely play on words,
    we are united in Ketchup here in Ireland.

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  51. From one ketchup lover to another...wonderful, but my chicken would be on my mantle crowing into eternity!!!

    Love your Native portrait!

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  52. LOVE this, Willow! I must add, however, that I can't imagine who ever looked at live poultry and said, "Hmmm, I bet this would taste good cooked." UGLY!! LOL

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  53. I like the addition of your voice. Ketchup is never foul. Clever pol poem.

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  54. Wonderful ...both your words and your reading.

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  55. So creative, how you wove in the politics. I love it. Nice that you read it too.

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  56. Wow lovely to hear your voice and of course an American accent...I usually read it in my own accent!
    Very enjoyable.

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  57. delightful although dang, i seem to be having difficult with getting the audio to work.

    then it's not really been my day today, so totally consistent!

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  58. yeah....i guess my touch was too light....love the extra pleasure of hearing you read

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  59. Love it - great write for an election week...hope everyone voted too and spoke their mind...now lets eat and drink...and hopefully be merry until the next election...bkm

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  60. Actually, your recordings of your poetry
    drove me to work a bit with my
    son-in-law, and come up with
    readings of a couple of mine
    over on my site. Even though
    I sound like Hank Bukowski
    these days, and less like Richard
    Burton, still it is good to transform
    our darlings, our poetics
    into versions of spoken word.
    Clever and tasty this poem,
    and everyone seems to have
    eaten it up.

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  61. Life has gotten to the point where - if you can afford chicken AND ketchup with your chianti, there's reason to celebrate!

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  62. Love, love, love it!!!! There is always that extra dimension hearing the poet read her work. Great play on words as well. Thanks for the treat, hold the chicken livers though. ;-)

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  63. What a great poem--so many different layers to it.

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  64. Fabulous poem and to hear you recite it. I can imagine you zeroing in on that succulent chicken liver!

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  65. I particularly like the sauteing of two primary livers and the raising of the glass of Chianti.

    Superbly written and beautifully read. What a bonus!

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  66. What you have to remember is to drink ANOTHER glass of chianti, while eating the finished dish!

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  67. I just saw that you watched "I Am Love," Tess--we just watched it last time I was home. I loved it. She is fabulous--so stunning, and yet so earthy, too. What an interesting film.

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  68. A tasteful and tasty Magpie! I really loved it. "puddle of democratic ketchup"...that is so great!

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  69. Well, you've covered two willow bases here and to such good effect. This is clever, sensual and funny.

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  70. 'democratic ketchup. I'll take that one home with me and show it to my children. :-)

    Great post. And your new banner and byline photo are superb. I love the shadow effect in the latter.

    Greetings from London.

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  71. Loved hearing you read this very original tale..you really shine...and isn't ketchup a vegetable?

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  72. Yes, I do believe ketchup counts as a vegetable, Lyn. It is an essential food group.

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  73. Well done! You always surprise me, Willow. Love the final line, so appropriate in these sad times.

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  74. The poem sounds as good as the cuisine.

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  75. If you turned that photo of a naked lady in your sidebar upside down, her bottom would make a perfect heart.

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  76. How terrific to put voice to face to words...you sound as good as you look and this piece is so perfect for our times...from a ketchup lover!

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  77. Dear Willow, it's my first time visiting your blog. i already like and love your deep appreciation and celebration of the everyday doings in life... the preparing of a meal has been so eloquently and deliciously shared here with a pace, intensity and beauty i appreciate... lovely!

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  78. Loved hearing this one in your own voice!!!

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  79. I haven't had an appetite lately and that Chicken pie sounds pretty darn good!
    BTW, I LOVE the look on that Rooster's face!!!

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  80. Really enjoyed the scene you set.

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  81. You know what? It wouldn't be nearly as much fun writing poetry, if I didn't have all of you to share it with. Thanks for being the best readership in the blogosphere. xx

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  82. I wish I was there to savour it with you.

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  83. Is there any left, Willow?? Such a tasty bite!

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  84. Pass the "democratic ketchup!" Love that!

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  85. Love the auditory addition! I love to be read to~my favorite part of growing up was when my mother read to me! You really always have something new to add to your blog...techno~geek! hahaha

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  86. Murderer! I cry fowl!

    Get it? Ahahahaha...

    Yeah, you're right. I'm lame. :(

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  87. A thumbs up to you and I agree with all the others that it was really great to hear your voice. Poetry sounds so good when it is read out loud. There is always a different take on the line breaks, the inflection, the nuances that are only really known by the author. I'm formulating mine as we speak.

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  88. democratic ketchup...wow
    this was excellent - a political chicken for sure
    also nice to hear you read this willow

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  89. I'm with Claudia on this one! Democratic Ketchup....I can see that printed on my son's tee-shirt!

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  90. Love hearing your voice!! Delicious.

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  91. I Wanted To Dive In That Pie! I salute as you sauté.

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  92. Only you, Miss Willow can raise chicken pie to high art and eloquence in one fell soup....uh er ....that is ...swoop!

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  93. Hi! Willow...
    The poem is...lovely!
    and your voice is...lovely too!
    Thanks, for sharing!
    DeeDee ;-D

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  94. A few references to politics this week eg signed bkm. We're a long way away down here but still keenly interested. We too have politicians intent on polarising the community - similar to your experience I gather. Nothing good comes of it. Hate breeds haters.
    enjoyed your juicy observations.

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  95. How wonderful to hear you read this! Well done!

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  96. you've got me at "glass of chianti" ...what a lovely voice you have!

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  97. Yep you have a que of comments!
    I think the chicken is out of the pot!
    Glad to see your rich and textural blog here at Magpie Tales, it's my first try.
    Di

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  98. Paul C has said it well. Delicious...though I'll skip the ketchup.

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  99. Wonderful to hear your voice as well as to read your poem, Willow.

    Judging by the number of responses you're getting, you may have to start a magazine!

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  100. You ARE clever. Totally enjoyed that. I just read that the government in Ireland is giving every household a hunk of good cheddar . . . kind of a twist on the chicken in every pot. Apparently, most of the population is scoffing, though. They would rather have the means to pay for the groceries than the cheesy gesture.

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  101. Bee, I agree on Ireland's cheesy gesture. Sheesh.

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  102. mmm...chicken pie. If it wasn't for the chicken, I'd almost be a vegetarian. but I like chicken. And wine is a great compliment to it. sounds like you made yourself a simply delicious (meal-that was one syllable)

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  103. Ah, what can we not accomplish, with enough thyme and peppercorns...?

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  104. Well Willow you have raised the bar again. Now we will all try to learn how to record the reading of our poems. I love the democratic ketchup.
    LOL. I knew that rooster was a deer in the headlights.
    QMM

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  105. Chicken and democratic ketchup--a true delight! Your voice just made it that much more enjoyable.

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  106. It is nice to hear your voice.

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)