Buried deep
and groomed
by earthworms
you bring
from soil
a modest bulk,
an insipid
sustenance
for working
weekdays
Sundays
funerals
yet a canvas
for the sweeter
savor
of the onion,
butter
gravy and your
nightshade
siblings.
You, potato
serf
and landlord
soldier
fighting famine,
our silent
servant,
boiled or fried
beaten, mashed
stashed to stem
starvation,
you potato
emperor
and ruler,
king of life.
Vincent van Gogh
Today Misky guest-hosts at dVerse, Poetics with a prompt on eating and food. As inspiration, she has included the poem “Ode to the Onion” by Pablo Neruda. Growing up in Sweden, the importance of potatoes cannot be underestimated.
May 10, 2005
Björn Rudbergs writings 
your last couple of lines have inspired an idea for my own food poem thank you.
I love potatoes (and yams). King of life, cheers!
This is fabulous! And to think that P. infestans caused mass population movement from Ireland, and yet it fed millions during the plague years. I love this mix of botany, history, and sustenance. Thanks for writing to this prompt.
Thank you… we did not have the same starvation as on Ireland… but traditions in Sweden says that it saved us from starvation.
This is such a passionate write, Bjorn! Yes, we cannot underestimate the significance of potatoes. Especially love; “You, potato serf and landlord, soldier fighting famine, our silent servant, boiled or fried beaten, mashed.” 💝💝
King of life. The Irish, oh the Irish!
Reminds me of childhood when getting new potatoes and peas from garden. My mom would cream them. It was delightful.
Is so interesting that it is such a late arrival from Latin America, what on earth were people eating and revering befor..
In Sweden it was a lot of turnips I think.
Indeed. All of that.
Nice one Björn
Much💛love
Bow down.
“our silent
servant.”
A fine piece B, and thanks for your choice of Vincent’s wonderful painting – like your poem speaking of poverty, joy and community all from the humble spud.
Bjorn, *thank*you* for singing the praises of an unsung hero. You nailed its humble, indispensable nature. I had no idea spuds were that important in Swedish history. I learned awhile back that not nearly the # of Irish had to die during the Potato Famine. (See film Black ’47)
A wonderful ode to the potato!
Bravo! The sultan potato has it’s rightful place here.
I really like “insipid sustenance.” Great sounds.
What would we do without potatoes!
Indeed the emperor! It is ubiquitous in Indian cooking.
Love this ode to the unsung hero.
Emperor and ruler: such an apt title for the potato. XoXo
Excellent!! Wonderful praise for the humble spud.
Brilliant!