Ingredients: Sour milk, pudding mix.

By: Deborah Amar

Today I need to eat something
With what’s left that I can use
Ingredients are limited
But that’s never an excuse

First I need to inventory
What my fridge has in supply
I don’t think there’s much I can make
Or much there that I should try

I cannot roast banana peel
Why I saved it I know not,
The kidney beans are dried and old
And are sticking to the pot

The bread has something growing now
And seems more like a fern
I have a slice of onion left
But stinky food I should spurn

My eyes then veer to bottom right
Where I see a lone white jug
The milk expired yesterday,
Which gave my poor heart a tug

But suddenly a thought awoke
Reminding me of one miss
I had a box of pudding mix
Left over from last Christmas

I grabbed the milk from in the fridge
And checked the recipe fast
Three cups of milk was all it took
To make the pudding at last

I grabbed a bowl and metal wisk
And then ripped the pudding pack
I poured the powder in the bowl
Excited about my snack

I grabbed the milk from in the fridge
And checked the date again
The milk expired yesterday
But was in the fridge since then

I twisted the lid off the top
Then sorely my nose gave way
The milk had spoiled and now it stunk
And now should be thrown away

But the pudding beckoned sharply
And the sweet smell made me think
Perhaps the pudding mix will fix
The harsh and horrible stink

I held my breath and counted three
As I guessed the milk amount
I know my cups vary in size
So rely on luck and count

Mixing with the wisk at top speed
The smell now begins to fade
Smiling I stir the pudding mix
Until the pudding is made

I quickly sat it in the fridge
Waiting for it to congeal
Five minutes now is all it takes
Before I can have my meal

I wait while tapping my right foot
And watch the clock minute hand
Patience likely is easier
For those sitting than who stand

The minute reached the number three
Which meant my meal was ready
Excited I opened the fridge
And I grabbed the food steady

I took a spoon from the drawer
And plunged it into the bowl
The taste was not too bad at least
So I ate the content whole

Just when I sat to digest it
And the time was not too long
A sudden churn in my stomach
Told me something now was wrong

It seems my nose was better judge
And hunger led me astray
But worse I lost all my pudding
In another bowl that day.