Shady Family

Shady Family

Subba Rao

Dry cure our leaves to use in any shape or form;

We are feel good tobacco;

Cut, slice, puree, sundry or however you use,

Pasta and pizza tasteless without us;

We are juicy tomatoes;

Chips, French fries, curly fries, spuds, skins, wedges;

Wonder how humanity exists without us;

We store food underground;

We are golden potatoes;

We tantalize taste buds, make you sweat;

We are peppers and hot chilies;

Sauté, roast, bake or stuffed;

Call us by whatever name,

Eggplant, baigan, brinjal, melongene, Aubergine;

Imagine veggie world without us;

In spring and summer we beautify front and back yards;

Petunia, Datura, Angel Trumpet, Kiss-me-Quick;

Buffalo bur, horse nettle, silver leaf,

We are nuisance weeds yet colorful;

Now, if you want to cure or poison yourself or others;

we advise not to but if you insist

try medicinal Belladonna or toxic herb Mandrake;

With a set of 5 petals, 5 sepals and 5 stamen

We were evolved into

Tomatoes, Potatoes, Peppers, Eggplant and, Tobacco;

Dealing with narcotics and poisons,

Yes we are a bit shady;

Still we are family, Nightshade family.