Art of Poetry had a nice turnout for the event on Saturday, March 19 at Hickory Museum of Art. Check back next week for a new poem and photos from the gathering.
Melissa Hager reads her poem based on the Claes Oldenburg artwork at the December 12, 2015 Art of Poetry event. Photo courtesy of Roger and Ginny Sanford
Melissa Hager
SLICE OF LIFE
after “Pizza, 1964” by Claes Oldenburg
Bequeathed by cultured peninsula
down the Mediterranean way,
each slice a personality,
beatific character,
in the world’s perfect entree.
Five food groups encompassed
in one sumptuous pie.
Worldwide appeal, foundation –
fat dough or flat crusty creation –
toppings fill the colors of a rainbow.
Creamy sauce or red tomato,
sauceless in Sausalito.
Vegan pizza possible,
only rivaled by tacos.
Dessert in cream cheese –
apples, cherries, peaches,
chocolate chips or cocoa drizzle,
cinnamon so fine. Dine in, take out,
your call, it is delivered.
Every pizza, a personal statement.
Pie perfection, makes one whole.
Art of Poetry at the Hickory Museum of Art 
As a food writer, of course I like food poems. Never saw that Oldenburg work before; nice for a kitchen, although that might give Oldenburg the creeps–as if it were not taken seriously and used only “decoratively.” Cheers!
Thank you so much, Kelly! Pizza, pizza!
A poem about pizza – what could be better! Well done, Mel, I love it!