Authors of antique recipes
Encouraged larceny. Take so
And so, they brazenly advised,
Thereby dismaying farmers, grocers,
Game wardens everywhere. Take four
And twenty blackbirds, cooks were told—
And moralists had to admit
The heist made all the kingdom happy.
Watching their monarch slice that pie,
Then hearing the impromptu chorus,
Even blasé republicans
Applauded majesty, cuisine.

This article appears in September 28 2009.