No Mashed Potatoes for Lunch

by Willa Jones

Upon reading the menu

For the week of May 10th

I found disappointingly

I must go the whole length

With no mashed potatoes.

There are red potatoes, no potatoes, oven browned,

Seasoned, boiled, baked and sweet potatoes,

But there are no mashed potatoes.

Woe is me! What to do!

Go to Hy-Vee and buy a bag

Of unwashed, unpeeled, uncooked potatoes?

And a box of dill dip to stir in.

To make my own mashed potatoes?

But then, I'll miss out on

The meat loaf, the fish, Swiss steak, chicken,

Pork chops, soups, salads, desserts.

Not to mention all the table talk

With friends old and new.

Woe is me! What shall I do?

Go with the variety

Or mash up a few?

Make all the mess

Wash mash and pan

And eat just potatoes

Again and again?

I guess I've decided

To go with variety.

It may turn out to be nice.

Maybe next week they'll serve mashed twice.