The Olive Tree

(in Rhyming couplets)

Today I craved for good old Bajan bakes
They are hybrids of crumpets and pancakes

I recalled how my grandmother made them
Relics of slavery but why condemn?

For deep frying use plenty cooking oil
Spoon mixture in when oil begins to boil

I hate dishes cooked in animal fat
Fat clogs the arteries and that's a fact

Sue reached over for olive oil bottle
Held it well so that it wouldn't topple

Label and picture drew much attention
"It says from Italy", Sue did mention






















The berries are picked off the olive tree
No olive trees in Bimshire would you see

Found not, in lands with all year scorching mix
Olives reap by beating the trees with sticks

The olives are crushed for their liquid gold
Ancient Greek Homer called them so, I'm told

Whole olives flavour any kind of drinks
Olives have many nutritional links

What's up with those pictures on kitchen wall?
They are olive trees my mind do recall

Gerry took them while he was touring Spain
"I adore all species of trees", said Elaine

Stories and names tag twisted olive tree
In the Bible the evidence you see

Oil tree, king of trees and emblem of peace
Gogh saw beauty in conversation piece.

©Paterika Hengreaves
October 2009/Maycocks, St Lucy, Barbados