My Chinese ancestry and love for things meatless prompt me to pay tribute to a favourite Chinese delicacy, savoury spring rolls.
These delights, filled with turnips, carrots, or bamboo shoots, complete many Chinese meals. Flavorful and utterly delightful, these are 24-hour snacks. Yes, we literally eat them at any time of the day. Though vegetarian, chefs fry deep them in hot oil, so they are best eaten soon after frying.
Enjoy this sonnet to spring rolls.
All rolled up, crisp, they crackle
White shreds atop orange strips
On the tongue, so palatable
Once bitten, saliva drips
Rolls now merged with lava hot
A taste at once unforgettable
Looks, without substance, it is not
A delight, if forgone, is regrettable
Dish for breakfast, lunch or dinner
Not far from slippery tongue
For want of roll, will not be thinner
But for satisfaction is well won
Crisp spring rolls, a snack delight
For a taste, one will take flight.
The Getting Literal Writing Alcove 