MARKETING

I like to take my basket

And go to market early–

Radishes are pinkest then,

Lettuces most curly.

Beets still pyramided

To a magenta crest;

Cauliflowers are snowballs;

Peas, their snappiest.

In the blue and silver

Of the rutabagas

Is material enough

For a dozen sagas.

An ode to summer

In each ripe tomato;

Laughter lurking in the eyes

Of every potato.

I like to market early—

It seems to me a stew

Is more savory if cabbages

And carrots taste of dew.

–Ethel Romig Fuller, Kitchen Sonnets

For my wonderful mom (who likes to market early)