Spice of Life

Hardworking vs Smart

Some animated conversation was going on in my kitchen,
where the austere bay leaf was imparting a lesson,

“A spice should be like me, present everywhere
having a clove-like taste and pepper- like odour,

“Whether it’s soup or sauce, I add a pleasant flavour,
while you are bitter in taste emitting a pungent odour.”

This unwarranted outburst made the  rude looking asafoetida upset,
“Hold on you leafy guy, don’t blow your own trumpet,

“No curries, pickles vegetables is complete without my deep aroma,
and I treat epilepsy, indigestion, stomach-ache and asthma”

‘Baylu’ countered, “I also treat gastric ulcers and infections,
besides being a panacea for diabetes, migraine and hypertension,

“I’m bay leaf, a leaf not fallen, but chosen one,
people call me tejpatta, a leaf fast in action,

“As a hardworking guy, I’m put first in any vegetable,
but stay there till the pressure cooker’s final whistle.”

Naughty ‘asafo’ teased, “And what happens finally after cooking,
you’re pulled first and thrown away before serving and eating.”

“You’re a slackar but smart and cunning”, bay leaf coolly said,
“just a pinch of yours brings good rankings and accolades,

“I be-leaf in myself, in patience and perseverance,
So people give me due recognition even in my absence…”

I know this spicy verbal duel will never end,
But I relish it as my kitchen needs both condiments.

–Kaushal Kishore

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