An Ode to Beans

My posts have been very serious so far, so now for something completely different: a poem expressing my affection for baked beans.

This has been inspired by the tendency for beans to get caught in the crossfire when non-brits, often justifiably, criticise bland British food.

However, the one food I would like to defend is the humble bean:

beans, you feed our nation,
but others are fraught with indignation,
you're bland and boring! they decry,
sold in tins like we still live in '45.
a symptom of our wider issues,
of a people willing to submit to,
the culinary delights of tripe,
and black pudding; all to dislike.

but you're packed with goodness we cannot see,
essential nutrients for you and me,
you are not spicy, but hearty,
and delicious and tomatoey.
not packed with sugar, salt, or fat,
and perhaps you are dismissed because of that,
but you feed the working class,
thus judgement I will not pass,
'til someone can bring to mind,
something which, to our digestion, is as kind.

so frolic upon our toast on a morn',
soak our plates and our potatoes adorn,
cosy up to sausage, mash, and more,
fill the bellies of the poor!
and do not worry what they say,
their critiques are only for today,
your impact upon these isles,
will forever be recognised.

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Recommends: I’m seeing my friend at the Newcastle fringe this weekend. I would recommend it for some actually good poetry - Brown Girls Write.