ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Baba Ghanoush

Stephen Whiteside 21.09.2011

The early explorers ate damper and beef.
It filled up their bellies, but stuck in their teef;
A diet monotonous. What would they say
If chanced they a Lebanese diner today?

"Cold beef and damper, they'll pass with a push.
Tickle my taste buds with baba ghanoush!"

The drovers and shearers ate more of the same.
There weren't many options, so no-one's to blame.
I guess they adjusted to tedious fare.
In Melbourne today they would doubtless declare,

"Flour and water's all right for the bush.
Polish my palate with baba ghanoush!"

Now we've big cities. The hinterland's sparse.
Workers in offices sit on their arse.
From all that bush tucker they try to steer clear.
Their voices, in unison, raise a great cheer:

"Hommus, tzatziki slip down with a whoosh.
We're all going gaga for baba ghanoush!"

Gorgeous Stephen. Love it! Love a bit of Baba Ghanoush - in fact, it was one thing I had a bit of a fancy for when I was pregnant - many many years ago!

Heather

Thanks, Heather. I must admit, I've been rather blinded by hommus for many years (blinded by hommus?), and it was only while having a birthday lunch at the weekend that I finally came to terms with the big BG!

Love it Stephen

Sue

Thanks, Sue.

Oh Well doneStephen,

My second daughter is married to a wonderful, talented, sensible young man whose grandparents, on both his mother's and father's sides, are polish. Whereas, sadly his mother succumbed to breast cancer about five years ago, both his grandmothers are still hale and hearty. We often are lucky to get lovely left overs. Some I have no idea what they call them but I just call them, not 'Yum Char' - just yum yum.' I think your poem puts it in a nut shell. No boiled beef and cabbage for us. Between my Italian input and my three great kids (all 3 are good cooks) you would not be surprised to find food from any culture on the dinner table. My son is as good a cook as the two girls and often makes something special for us when he visits. It could be anything from sushi to Backlava, Borsht to Tiramesu.(Italian trifle) (geese I'm clever, I can't spell in two languages)

Thanks, Zondrae. Yes, I've become a real sucker for all that Middle Eastern food!

Bring it on - great poem Stephen

Many thanks, Maureen. When I told my son at the weekend I wanted to write a poem about baba ghanoush and drovers, he begged me not to. (He's a very sophisticated university student, you see - I don't think he'll mind me saying that.) I read it to him over the phone this afternoon, though, and he conceded that it was OK!