Jamaican Tomatoes

When I was a teen age bride!!

I got married when I was 18 years old, spawning a series of poetry called “The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA” .

Jamaican Tomatoes

Mom came out to visit the happiest little wife,

To check out the condition

Of her 18 year old’s life

The house was cute and tidy

Despite teetering on the tracks

The trains stopped conversations

Dishes clattered in their racks

The yard, just short of Eden,

Had fruit of every type.

Apples, cherries, berries,

All succulent and ripe

The garden was fantastic.

Mom pointed, “What are those?’

Happiest girl in the whole USA

Quickly answered “Jamaican tomatoes”

Mom’s visit seemed successful.

As the dinner dishes were dried,

She brought up the strange tomatoes,

Diplomatically, she tried.

Mom said “Those aren’t tomatoes,

You’re going to get in trouble.

Get those plants out of your yard.

Do it on the double!”

The happiest girl assured her,

Those plants would be destroyed.

Mom left smiling pleasantly,

Although deeply annoyed.

Two weeks later Mom called,

And in a whisper dark,

Asked “did you get rid of the “tomatoes”

Growing in your little park?”

Happiest girl answered truthfully

“Our lesson we have learned,

I can assure you, Mommy,

All those plants have been burned.”