"Garlic Gourmand"

Garlic Gourmand

The poor, lowly garlic, the true spice of life --
So useful in so many ways.
As medicine, food, and as a condiment,
How can you not say words of praise?

When sautéed in butter - that wonderful smell!
Your taste buds will sing with delight!
Then toss in some fish or some chicken or beef
Your mouth will rejoice at first bite!

Or crushed, with some ginger, tossed into a wok
Then stir-fried with bok-choy and rice
In anticipation, your mouth starts to drool ...
To salivate, to be precise.

Perhaps, the baked bulbs would be your cup of tea,
With olive oil drizzled on top.
The savory cloves are delectably soft
When eating them, you just can’t stop!

And not just the bulbs of the garlic are nice,
But “scapes” can be tempting as well!
The scapes (or the stems) are much milder in taste;
In pesto, they simply excel!

Beyond garlic’s flavorful uses in food,
It’s long been a medicine, too.
Cholesterol, blood pressure, ear aches and worms–
In all, it’s too good to be true.

Though it’s oft considered the lowest of foods,
It has been well-loved, nonetheless.
For garlic has charm and it has “savoir faire” –
Am I fond of garlic? Oh, yes!


meter: 11-8-11-8
rhyme: abcb

(Written as a "battle poem" for the Poetry League.)
-- the prompt was garlic --