[abbie's mom]

It's not fair what they say about okra

No, it's not quite as bad as it sounds.

From Dallas, Tex., to Dumbo,

From Cape Fear to Cape Cod,

It's just not chicken gumbo

Without that little pod.

It's not fair that the poor

lady's-finger

Should be viewed

As a food

Out of bounds;

It could thrill

And enthrall

And seduce you every time

And it would, if it weren't for slime.

KEITH H. PETERSON
Jersey City