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mamma sally


puttanesca tickles my nose
pulls me through 
these streets, eyes closed
Mamma Sally, she knows
how to fill my bowl

daughter of the old country
pulled up her roots
for the better life, the big city
Mamma Sally, she knows
how far the red brick goes

raising up tomatoes to the sky
from her window box piazza
seven stories high
Mamma Sally, she knows
how her garden grows

olive oil, garlic, basil in harmony
hymns of joy
the blessed holy trinity
Mamma Sally, she knows
how to save my soul

Rene ~ February 2011


Submitted for Magpie Tales #51 ~ Come join, write and enjoy!

Comments

  1. SukoFebruary 1, 2011 at 8:50 PM

    Love this poem, Mamma Sally indeed!

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  2. MarianFebruary 1, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    ah rene, you had me with the first word
    puttanesca
    don't forget the olives! mmmmmm

    ReplyDelete
  3. Vodka MomFebruary 1, 2011 at 9:25 PM

    did someone mention olives?

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownFebruary 1, 2011 at 9:36 PM

    yes ladies, there will be olives, gotta get the sofrito started first :)

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  5. Brian MillerFebruary 1, 2011 at 10:10 PM

    ptenesca always makes me think of series of unfortunate events....

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownFebruary 1, 2011 at 10:23 PM

    OMG...me too, Brian
    those resourceful Baudelaires
    Fie on you, Uncle Olaf

    ReplyDelete
  7. Chris G.February 2, 2011 at 12:46 AM

    The biblical trio...of the garden. Nice reference for it - helps to paint an even stronger picture of this lovely Mamma Sally. Interesting one to pull from the pic...but it all comes together nicely. Thanks for sharing with One Shot!

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  8. hedgewitchFebruary 2, 2011 at 1:25 AM

    Robust and simple, like the sauce named. Food for the senses.

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  9. ReflectionsFebruary 2, 2011 at 1:33 AM

    Have to love that biblical trio... but I too would like some olives.

    Nicely done!

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  10. LouiseFebruary 2, 2011 at 6:14 AM

    Nicely done! Really enjoyed it.

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  11. UnknownFebruary 2, 2011 at 6:56 AM

    This makes me think of all the Mamma Sally’s in the world, as they are the glue that binds our families. Well constructed, clean and simply...Well Done! Cheers, David

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  12. dustusFebruary 2, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    Can easily picture Momma Sally through your words. Old country woman making a family life in the city. Well written, Rene. Very nice, telling details in your poem.

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  13. FireblossomFebruary 2, 2011 at 2:00 PM

    Mine too, I think! I love Italian food.

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  14. Stafford RayFebruary 2, 2011 at 3:35 PM

    I needed to Google 'puttanesca' and will skirt around the literal meaning, to congratulate you on a delightful illustration of the Mamma Sallies of the world, who keep alive what is so special about real Italian cooking.

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  15. signed...bkmFebruary 2, 2011 at 6:56 PM

    If Mama Sally can cook good Italian I am in...she can save my soul...Love Italian...bkm

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  16. Irish GumboFebruary 2, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    Ah lahks me some puttanesca...(sigh)...hungry, so hungry...

    ReplyDelete
  17. Vodka MomFebruary 2, 2011 at 10:06 PM

    i adore you.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Tess KincaidFebruary 2, 2011 at 10:16 PM

    I love that savory holy trinity.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Tumblewords:February 2, 2011 at 10:59 PM

    Deliciously tasty piece!

    ReplyDelete
  20. ClaudiaFebruary 3, 2011 at 10:55 AM

    oh you made me see mama sally...what a lovely write!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis HallFebruary 5, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    your words are full of imagery,

    tomatoes, garlic, wow,
    well done.
    cheers.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Casey FreelandFebruary 6, 2011 at 1:31 AM

    Ah, comforts. So sweet and respectful.

    Cheers,

    Casey

    ReplyDelete
  23. JinksyFebruary 6, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    Oh, to have green fingers!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Kristen HaskellFebruary 7, 2011 at 1:55 PM

    http://www.livinginthemiddle.com/2011/02/alal-or-little-affordable-luxury.html

    I had a Mama Sally experience well sort of the other day at the olive bar. I posted my link just in case you want to check out my place for the Mama Sally ingredients. The only thing they don't sell is a Mama Sally. Wonderful poem. I am hungry now.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Steve IsaakFebruary 10, 2011 at 3:08 AM

    Enjoyable, smile-causing read.

    ReplyDelete

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