Food for Thought

I found this poem in the Australian Table Magazine from 1999 when I was helping my Home Economic students  find some pictures and information for posters they were researching for, and I thought it would be nice to share it.  I shared it with them and they thought it was special and should be shared too.  I have used in another blog site but thought it was too good just to have on one site.



Do you have time to cook a meal?
Do you have time to supp?
Do you know how your children feel when dinner times is up?
Does your kitchen smell of chopped up fruit?
Of pies and mince and bread?
Is your table strewn with drink to suit?
Do the smells fill your head?

Fill your head with memories?
And the stuff to make some more.
Are meal times like a gentle breeze that can open doors?
Does eating give you nourishment
For your body and your soul?
Does your table do just what it’s meant or has it a greater role?

Is it a place of talk and jest?
Of philosophy and mirth?
Is it a place where you can rest and come back down to earth?
Is your palate served a King’s delight
Or are your meals but simple fare?
Are they fatty or labeled “light”? Or do you really care?

Do you cook your meals in the coals
(as would a drover or a camper)?
They catch from favourite fishing holes with billy tea and damper.
No matter where your supper’s laid, No matter with who you dine
No matter if it’s ready-made or a chef’s design
Here’s a little food for thought when next you carve the roast
Share the time as we ought with those that mean the most


Kim Russell (Australian Tables, November 1999)