Carrots

    by

    Sheila Maurer

    Who would have thought That carrots
    Would have such illustrious names?
    Navajo
    Chootaw
    Vita Treat
    Stylus
    Enterprise

    This orange, spear-shaped vegetable
    Hides its flesh in the earth,
    Grows and ripens
    Shut in the dark.
    Why would it burrow its way downwards?
    Its feathery leaves
    Announce to the gardener
    That the time has come to
    Pull,
    Wash,
    Cook,
    Eat.
    But first give thanks
    For the succulent dish
    Of orange-coloured carrots.