Ode to the Ode

Awhile back when our team was out in Voroneti together, we each did a "personal passion" workshop in order to teach one another about something we love. The lovely Christina taught us all about ode-writing. And the way we "practiced" ode-writing was by pulling a random object out of a bag and writing an ode about that object. Quite interesting. So I would like to share with you the results of our little workshop...

Ode to Chocolate Epice

A forbidden marriage deep in the heart

of the emerald mountains

of your namesake

Your ruby lustre glows

As she becomes one with your earthen bitterness

Unparalleled in any form- 

-whether statuesque or fluid

You glow like an ember from Vesuvius' furnace

on the tongues of men

O wax which seals up every love

the steaming jungles proclaim

Ton mystere secret

O mistress of spices

and Earthen lord

your cavernous depth

is like the souls of men

Yet your brief life melts under the noonday sun

as you are like all pleasures-

-poignant and fleeting

we yearn for more

- by Luci

Ode to Zwan

What does zwanderful mean?

Ask the pikin of Sierra Leone

As they snack on their mystery shawarmas.

They say the dog population is on the decline

In Holland

O you tasty treat, fresh meat substitute

Will we ever know your true identity?

-by Trevor

Ode to Toilet Paper

There are none quite humbler than you

And none to whom we are indebted more;

Where we would have many, you are few

Yet when many, we have thanklessly tore

At the thin grey skin

Of your shrinking core

O if we citizens rose up in one voice

And did not sit silent on your white throne

Perhaps by the freedom of our choice

You would remain one ply alone

- by Christina

Ode to Cherry Chapstick

In ancient times your kin were formed

Deep beneath the surface of the earth

You were called forth by cruel drill

and unrelenting pump

Separated as if at birth from your brother- crude-

and shipped from the sands of Arabia to New Jersey, 

the armpit of America

You allure me with the promise of moisture, cherry goodness,

and viscoelasticity,

Only to paint my lips a glowing red

and bring outsiders to question my masculinity

Go back, back, back to New Jersey

- by David

Ode to a Pear

O tall slender tower of fruit,

reminiscent of Inglewood autumns,

your lightly mottle green

and soft supple flesh

fills my mouth and memory

O pear,

plucked from mossy branches

by my little girl hands

You are a sophisticated peasant of fruit,

an elegant and simple

taste of home

With 5 stars, by chefs abroad you are

poached in wine, covered in creme anglaise,

drizzled in chocolate, sliced with lemon and salt

But I enjoy you most

Cooked down and mashed into pearsauce

yielding you into soft comfort

in my Grandma's kitchen

You are a taste that lingers long.

- by Erin

Ode to a Corkscrew

O sleek metallic wonder!

Ever so simple yet beautiful to me

Your curved figure boasts

Of the fruit of your labor

Pinot, Chianti, Cabernet, Merlot

As you turn, turn, turn

Gently raising your arms

Reaching towards the sky

While drilling ever down

Sharp and refined; powerful and pure

You open up the vineyard door

A perfect key made just for me

-by ME