In dusty bowls of southern sun
when livin’ well was same as fun,
slappin' knees and cackled jokes
was heard among the country folks.
The Rascal boys,like some bad dream
were known to mess with anything
from pigtailed girls to cross-eyed crows
and swishing fish in crawdad holes
Their nights were drapes that hid the thrill
of snatching somethin' off the sill
like Maude’s best snack in passing breeze-
her kettle corn and apple squeeze.
The ol’ maid Maude would smack their paws
while yankin' on their overalls,
catch 'um in their lying tale
and warn the boys they’re goin’ to jail.
They’d jeer and gawk, but no one heard
‘cept farmer Jake who owned this bird
who scared ol’ Maude to up and please
with kettle corn and apple squeeze.
"I’ll stop the bird square on its bum
If for the boys you’ll give ‘em some
of all that good stuff that you bake-
we’ll even wed , for goodness sake!"
And so by force and no surprise
old Maude gave in by compromise-
her mean ol’ squinty eyes took glare
at farmer Jake’s inviting stare.
It took a lot to bring on back
the sweets inside that paper sack,
but Jake had softened Maude to glow
with husbandry and words that flow.
Now things is changed since days of old
and no one’s left from stories told
but still the folks will beg on knees
for kettle corn and apple squeeze.
Author notes
...wonder what was in that stuff, anyway? Must've been goOooooood!
Linguistically speaking, I don't really talk this way. It's an artful imperative. LOL.
Idea-Inspired by my husband who just plain liked the thought of it. to Big Chief
Picture courtesy of Hillbilly ...Webshots
Written May 23rd, 2005
In a list
A contest entry
- Second Round Winners PICK UP INVITE ONLY by Hekate.
300 points, ended August 22, 2006, 1 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 35 of 35
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Oh, that's great. I love the apple squeeze. As a general rule, anything with the term "squeeze" attached to it usually refers to high octane joy juice. Distilling it, makes it even more potent and can lead to blindness.
What a wonderful write. Your talent always shows through, no matter the style or subject.
Thanks for this one.
Garrison
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kettle corn and apple squeeze? Sounds yummy!
Very well done.
This is a wonderful poem to read, and I rather liked your usage of words and imagery. The poem has the feel of down-home comfort.
. Rewarded 4
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i like it
kind of reminds me of arkansas, which is where i live most of the time!!! i like the way you worded it with the country talk. i cant really relate though... but with a poem like this you dont have to... it is really good. -
HOOD WINKED!!
HEHE...
OH MY GOSH, girl... this poem is magnificent! I am astonished and I really loved reading this poem that has down-home flavor so much! 
Lovely talent displayed here! 
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LOL Having matriculated in the great Bible-belt state of Arkansas, I have to say this thrilled me to read. Though most of us bare-foot hillbillies don't exactly use the word "matriculate", I think we can all relate to this one, wether we want to admit it or not.
There is a relaxing quality of this piece that makes me which I were sitting on a wooden swing in my backyard, right after burying my toad and eating a carmel apple :
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lol
This was so funny. I loved every word of it. I can just picture the whole seen in my mine. Simply pricesless. Thanks for the laugh.
Tammy -
good
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Good Luck!
I am a Georgia peach 
I loved this. I will comment more after the contest 
Kari -
Oh m'gosh. It really exists! ha...Thank you for the powerful recipe. I just might wait till it's very COLD outside after all..lol.
Thank you for the read as well. Always appreciated! -
Drink it up
Pure country comfort. For Apple Squeezin' I always use the fast method. Take 1 gal. unfiltered , organic apple juice, 2 cups sugar and 1 tablespoon brewers yeast ( made into a wort, using warm water and set up time. Cover with cheese cloth and keep in a cool ( not cold , not warm) place for 7 days. Filter out the solids ( strain like mad) and repeat 2 more times. Each repeat will increase the "flavor" ( it should be flavored about 70 proof when done). Strain a final time and seal. Let it sit for another week, then strain, bottle and put up. It will start your car on a cold morning, and what the hell, its natural, so it can't hurt you, right?
For the kettle corn, just buy it. It makes a big mess to cook.
By the way, the poem was great, but you already knew that,
Peace,
Ed -
I absolutely love this! I love the language and the voice in which you wrote this piece. This was so very entertaining. Bravo to you!
~Dee -
this was really good, I enjoyed reading this a lot, I like how much you had to say in a simple little poem, very nice indeed
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This is a very nice write! I like it lots! I just came across your page one day and poof! the most amazing work i've ever seen! please, keep up the good work! and *IF* you'd like...you can check out my poems sometime, and maybe tell me what im doing right and wrong, i'd like that! thanks!
stephani
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great
it was very good I loved the expresions!the way you wrote was so skillfull real vivid images.I liked your content very fun!
thank you! -
I LOVE Fridays. Every family usually has a memory or two that is the glue of good times..even when things turn awry. I SO enjoyed your comment on it. I play guitar and know its warm place in a heart!
Thank you for imparting this. I needed it. CookieZeal/DB -
This is such a creative write...which I loved very much. I dont know why...no puns...but I was thinking of TN Hillbillies... I have family in that state...so...please take no offense to this.
Anyways..I agree..it must have been good stuff...but I guess I will never know...lol. I was raised a farm kid..and we used to sit on our front porch on Friday nights and my Grandpa and uncle played guitar and sang...and told us jokes...so..in a way it reminded me of my good ole days. thanks for sharing this.
LIZ -
Reminded me of the movie beverly hillbillis!!
This is something very refreshing to come across through dark and depressive poems.
Very crisp and energising.
Well done,
Pisces. -
This is really good coz you've used rhyme effectively and it's not cheesy or embarrasing to read either! Good even structure that reflects regularity and the rhythm. And i really like the phrase 'kettle corn and apple squeeze' somehow, that phrase brings a smile to my face. God bless, Lozi xxxX
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too funny, the way you came up with this stuff makes me picture you sittin on that porch with them folks, wearin those britches, and slappin the paws off them bad boys. hehehehe
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Musical Fun
Dearest Dazzling D.
What a joy to read you again! I just LOVED the rhythm and the rhyme and somehow I heard some music and your charming, playful voice ...
And for the Kettle Corn 'n Apple Squeeze: it sure sounds healthy ... and potent!
Myra
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I've never heard of kettle corn and apple squeeze but it must've been very tasty! I loved your rhymes and I never ever like rhymes. Just goes to show how well you can rhyme. People should take lessons from you
This was a fun read. Good to read on a rainy, grey day such as today.
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Cookie! You made me spit sodaall of myself when I was reading this! This was just too cute and too funny! I really needed this right now to make me feel better....less numb. Thank you deary.
Smoochie
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country kids rock. that was really fun to read. and i don't think anyone knows what apple squeeze is. you write about it well, though! great job!
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Great write!Peaceful-I guess that's the word for it.Very special!
*Rose -
hahaha this is pretty good! i especially like the repetition of the title and alos "And so by force and no surprise
old Maude gave in by compromise-
her mean ol’ squinty eyes took glare
at farmer Jake’s inviting stare."
because this is really funny! you've dont it well here and it flows really good so well done well done, keep it up x
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Such a colorful snapshot of characters and a time now long gone away from all of us. You have all of us wondering now what might be the taste of "kettle corn n' apple squeeze"...
As for the writing in this overall, it is so wonderfully lyrical and you hit the rhyming and alliteration so well, that it's to be admired as usual.
This one was simply a pleasure to read. Great writing is always a pleasure, but the colorful nature of this just enhanced that all the more.
Kim -
What a treat to look back to the good ol' days. Ain't life grand when oh, so simple and sweet?
Delightful tale, Cookie. Just love it!
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this was wonderful. I love it with it charm of the old south I think anyway. this was grand indeed. I really enjoy this poem of your so very much indeed I thank you for shareing it
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Oh..thank you! It was meant to ascend, and I'm glad it did.heehee.
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Hi, great feel to this write, it took you there , you could feel it,smell it and see it, a super write, a real pleasure to read,the flow is great the feel is great and the story the same, all the best great write, Di
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i like it
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Cute hillbilly tale Cookie. Whats the apple squeeze? Love,Sherry
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Very good
Oh my and this conjured up the days that we spent making cider and apple butter. A truly fine write. -
I quite enjoyed this, and Lord, it took me back to younger days!
There's still a lot o' hick left in me... LOL
Very nicely written!
I applaud. -
Kudos on this one. Very good write indeed. I look forward to reading more of your work. The rhyme scheme was perfect the flow was like a rockless stream and I, the fish, swum it beautifully. It was very easy to follow. I loved the story as well. You built this poem very well. This is contest material here. Okie Byeuh
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