Problematic Sabzi - a Poem

Fresh, lovely, cool and white

It is to be enjoyed and

If treated correctly,

Is thoroughly ravishingly delightful

But, more likely it will turn on you

It does not recognize the love

You are bestowing upon it in its preparation

Uff, why must you be such a stubborn sabzi?

And instead, in its attempt

To sustain its innocence and untouched ways

Releases upon you the gift of

Day old sweat socks.

Why can't you be soft and fluffy,

Like the totally malleable, palatable aloo?

You feel rejected.

How could something so innocuous looking,

Something which you know

If treated properly, manipulated and spiced,

Would flower into a lovely pleasure,

Be so off putting?

Even the karela, does not hide its intent.

Its bitterness is matched by its bitter stare, inside and out.

But alas, all this one knows to do

Is to stay cold and stop your advances

By releasing its putrid, frigid essence.

It is the queen of leading you on

It promises so much in appearance and when

Things get hot, forces you to leave in a stink.

And you think, hua ki nahin? You will not know.

But for certain all you will know and recognize is

It is undoubtedly, for certain, a TURNIP.