Porridge poems

[VickieB]

Porridge
Why is there no monument
To Porridge in our land?
It it's good enough to eat,
It's good enough to stand!

On a plinth in London
A statue we should see
Of Porridge made in Scotland
Signed, "Oatmeal, O.B.E."
(By a young dog of three)
Spike Milligan 1918 - 2002

And:

Scotch Porridge [excerpts]

In boilin' water, salted weel,
'Tween fingers rins the ruchsome meal,
While the brisk spurtle gars them wheel
In jaups an' rings -
Ae guid half-hour, syne bowls may reel
Wi' food for kings.

Nae butter, syrup, sugar brown,
For him wha sups, shall creesh thy crown,
But milk alane, maun isle thee roun',
Till thou dost soom,
Then a' man needs is ae lang spoon
And elbow room.

http://www.rampantscotland.com/poetry/blpoems_porridge.htm

v

[The Welsh Windbag]

Post by VickieB
Porridge
Why is there no monument
To Porridge in our land?
It it's good enough to eat,
It's good enough to stand!
On a plinth in London
A statue we should see
Of Porridge made in Scotland
Signed, "Oatmeal, O.B.E."
(By a young dog of three)
Spike Milligan 1918 - 2002

Good old Spike. When they asked for people who wanted to spend an hour on
the fourth plinth in London, I applied, but wasn't lucky enough to get an
hour. That poem would have been a good basis for an exhibit!

Then of course in Hamlet, we have: "Oat is too true."

[VickieB]

Post by The Welsh Windbag

Post by VickieB
Porridge
Why is there no monument
To Porridge in our land?
It it's good enough to eat,
It's good enough to stand!
On a plinth in London
A statue we should see
Of Porridge made in Scotland
Signed, "Oatmeal, O.B.E."
(By a young dog of three)
Spike Milligan 1918 - 2002

Good old Spike. When they asked for people who wanted to spend an hour
on the fourth plinth in London, I applied, but wasn't lucky enough to
get an hour. That poem would have been a good basis for an exhibit!
Then of course in Hamlet, we have: "Oat is too true."

~~~~
;) Oh, 'tis too true!
v

[AriesVal]

Post by VickieB
Porridge
http://www.rampantscotland.com/poetry/blpoems_porridge.htm

The sensible breakfast
From the south to the north, and St. David’s to Norwich,
There’s no breakfast to equal good oatmeal porridge!
Tell me not of tit bits of beef, mutton or pork,
Frizzled — broil’d — underdone — or yet done to a cork:
Name not ham, brawn, or bacon, or aught from the pig:—
Potted veal, beef, and bloaters are not worth a fig:
All fish, flesh, and fowl, are to me filthy forage;
And against all your breakfasts I’ll back oatmeal porridge!
Then hurrah for the porridge! good coarse oatmeal porridge!
Hurrah for the porridge that smokes in the morn!

If this build not the man, prithee tell me what will:—
Is it porridge, or flesh works the Lancashire mill!
The bairn1 of the north has a cheek like the rose:—
Is it porridge, or flesh whence the ruddy cheek glows!
‘Twill not make the blood fev’rishly course through
Increasing the pulse, and enfeebling the brains;
But the frame shall be stronger, the blood more refined,
And the body be less of a clog to the mind.
Then hurrah for the porridge! good coarse oatmeal porridge!
Hurrah for the porridge that clogs not the mind!

Why your bairn cannot relish beef, mutton, or ham,
Or the mangled remains of the innocent lamb:—
Even fowl, roast, or boil’d, back or breast, wing or limb;
Though they’re dainties, present no attractions to him.
Behold you the contrast:— at breakfast, elate,
He watches the steam rising up from his plate,
As the mess of thick porridge is placed on the board,
And the rich stream of milk in the basin is pour’d.
Then hurrah for the porridge! good coarse oatmeal porridge!
Hurrah for the porridge that smokes on the board!

With an appetite keen does the little one wait,
To demolish the savoury food on his plate;
For he dreams not of gristle, or fat to reject;
Of toughness, queer taste, or putrescent defect;
So he dips in the juice of the sweet central pool;2
And he bathes it in milk so delicious and cool;
And he knows that no food so refreshing and sweet
Could be possibly made from a lump of dead meat!
Then hurrah for the porridge! good coarse oatmeal porridge!
Hurrah for the porridge, refreshing and sweet!

Let the taste of the child, unperverted and true,3
Be a lovely and tender example for you;
Never more let your feast be the offspring of pain,
But the ripe luscious fruit, and the rich golden grain:
Fear not hunger, or weakness, or languid disease;
Wholesome diet will soon banish fancies like these;
And you’ll soon be convinc’d that there’s no kind of forage
For breakfast, can equal good coarse oatmeal porridge!
Then hurrah for the porridge! good coarse oatmeal porridge!
Hurrah for the porridge that smokes in the morn!

http://www.rootedcook.com/wp/2013/02/hurrah-for-the-porridge-a-vegetarian-hymn/

[VickieB]

Post by AriesVal

Post by VickieB
Porridge
http://www.rampantscotland.com/poetry/blpoems_porridge.htm

The sensible breakfast
From the south to the north, and St. David’s to Norwich,
There’s no breakfast to equal good oatmeal porridge!
Tell me not of tit bits of beef, mutton or pork,
Name not ham, brawn, or bacon, or aught from the pig:—
All fish, flesh, and fowl, are to me filthy forage;
And against all your breakfasts I’ll back oatmeal porridge!
Then hurrah for the porridge! good coarse oatmeal porridge!
Hurrah for the porridge that smokes in the morn! [..]
http://www.rootedcook.com/wp/2013/02/hurrah-for-the-porridge-a-vegetarian-hymn/

~~~~
Thank you! I love it, read it twice. Looks as if there were
health-foodies promoting cereal instead of meat on your side of the
pond, same time as ours.

This caught my eye - "There’s no better courage for a cold winter’s
morning than a good hot bowl of Irish oatmeal — say, with apple pie
spice and brown sugar and a drizzle of cream. ..."

Apple pie spice .. yum, have to try that.

Also: "A note in The Journal of Health, which reprinted the poem in
1852, says, “For the information of those who are not accustomed to
partake of this nutritious and healthful breakfast, it may be well to
state, that a pool is frequently made in the centre of the porridge, by
scooping out a portion of the porridge, when treacle is poured in, and
each spoonful of porridge is dipped in for a taste; milk is also used,
both to cool it, and to add to the relish.” "

This is what we do .. but also add butter.
v

[Jean B.]

Post by VickieB

Post by AriesVal

Post by VickieB
Porridge
http://www.rampantscotland.com/poetry/blpoems_porridge.htm

The sensible breakfast
From the south to the north, and St. David’s to Norwich,
There’s no breakfast to equal good oatmeal porridge!
Tell me not of tit bits of beef, mutton or pork,
Name not ham, brawn, or bacon, or aught from the pig:—
All fish, flesh, and fowl, are to me filthy forage;
And against all your breakfasts I’ll back oatmeal porridge!
Then hurrah for the porridge! good coarse oatmeal porridge!
Hurrah for the porridge that smokes in the morn! [..]
http://www.rootedcook.com/wp/2013/02/hurrah-for-the-porridge-a-vegetarian-hymn/

~~~~
Thank you! I love it, read it twice. Looks as if there were
health-foodies promoting cereal instead of meat on your side of the
pond, same time as ours.
This caught my eye - "There’s no better courage for a cold winter’s
morning than a good hot bowl of Irish oatmeal — say, with apple pie
spice and brown sugar and a drizzle of cream. ..."
Apple pie spice .. yum, have to try that.
Also: "A note in The Journal of Health, which reprinted the poem in
1852, says, “For the information of those who are not accustomed to
partake of this nutritious and healthful breakfast, it may be well to
state, that a pool is frequently made in the centre of the porridge, by
scooping out a portion of the porridge, when treacle is poured in, and
each spoonful of porridge is dipped in for a taste; milk is also used,
both to cool it, and to add to the relish.” "
This is what we do .. but also add butter.
v

I did a few tasty steel-cut oat experiments several years ago. I
MIGHT be able to find them, if you are interested.

[VickieB]

I did a few tasty steel-cut oat experiments several years ago. I MIGHT
be able to find them, if you are interested.

~~~~
I've quit eating oatmeal, except in icy weather, but I'm curious about
what kind of experiments. Like soaking oats the night before?
v

[Jean B.]

Post by VickieB

I did a few tasty steel-cut oat experiments several years ago. I MIGHT
be able to find them, if you are interested.

~~~~
I've quit eating oatmeal, except in icy weather, but I'm curious about
what kind of experiments. Like soaking oats the night before?
v

Like turning them into pie-type flavors... BTW, I was intrigued
by the use of oats as a savory dish but never got around to trying it.