
Absent friends crawl out of woodwork;
fans of my versatility
lip-smacking, sour, tangy citrusy;
my taste in your memory lurks
I’m no longer the free perk
you can indulge in this summer
my sky-high price is a bummer
a whiter shade of pale you turn
my charms you unwillingly spurn
safe from squeezing, I gladly smirk!

(This summer lemons are almost four times their price! In India, most people rely on lemons for cool refreshing drinks. But the start of summer has been different.)
Today’s NaPoWriMo challenge is to write a poem that anthropomorphizes a kind of food. It could be a favorite food of yours, or maybe one you feel conflicted about.
Written for dVerse. Today’s host, Merril says: Choose one—or more–of the names from the list below and use it in your poem OR as a title for your poem. Just to be clear, you can write in any style or form, and the poems do not have to be about roses or flowers.
Absent Friends
Absolutely Fabulous
A Whiter Shade of Pale
Bobby Dazzler
Boule de Neige
Julia’s Kiss
Leaping Salmon
Pretty Jessica
Purple Tiger
Sylvia
Twice in a Blue Moon
I am also responding to Val’s scavenger hunt. Write a Espinela poem or write a poem on the theme of passion.
(My apologies for not responding to your comments or reading your posts these last few days. I have been down with stomach flu. Today I am better. Will catch up soon.)
Lemons. That expensive?! Oh my! We need to plant more lemon trees.
Last summer we had way too much rain here in Japan. Vegetables needed sun. All our greengrocers tried so hard to get us what we needed but tried as they did couldn’t lower prices.
Gosh, how valuable our sun.
I hope something good comes from this for you all. Stay strong.
And a stomach flu 🤧 oh friend take care. Thinking of you. XoXo
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Selma, we have lots of lemon trees. But it rained heavily in last year and the blossoms were affected and now the terrible early heat and no rains have exacerbated the matters. Of course, inflation is there. But lemons are our lifeline in summers.
I am fully recovered. Thanks for your best wishes.
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Lemons are so expensive here because of Ramadan! Almost 1000 Rs per kg!!!!
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It is not because of Ramadan here, the lemon crop was affected by extreme weather conditions.
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Oh I see. The lemons we get here are tiny and have very little juice.
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The lemons here are normal size and juicy but still expensive.
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Send some over! 😎
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Sure! 👍🏼😀🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋
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Thank you so much 😃😂
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Love your wity word use Punam …
“a whiter shade of pale”
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Thanks so much, Ivor!
That’s a good one.
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You’re welcome Punam
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A refreshing post…🍋
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A good one Punam. Yes they have become so dear. Bottle of lemoneez is a poor substitute though, but works.
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Yes, Radhika, it is a poor substitute. The price has come down a wee bit.
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Ahhh..such a relevant topic you’ve chosen! Imagine not being able to cherish Nimbu Pani as much as one would otherwise.🥺
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Indeed, Garima! What is summer without nimbu pani!
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Also, hope you feel better soon!
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Thanks, I am fine now.
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Well that was delightful! Your description made me laugh out loud! Worse to come for food prices I am afraid….so it is being said anyway…make sure you eat that ginger …
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Thanks, Ain. The worst is already here and the government loves to blame the war for its mismanagement of things!
I did take ginger. I am perfectly fine now, thank you.
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Words do reflect life lived and endured. Our limes more than doubled in a single week.
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So they do. Our lemon crop was affected by the extreme weather. Again, all our doing.
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Everything is more expensive here. But lemons are a necessity for summer. I agree. (K)
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Same here, Kerfe. Vegetables and fruits are so expensive. But the lemon crop was destroyed by extreme weather.
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You need lemons for your flu, Punam. Rest and get better.
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Luckily I had bought some before the prices went up so those came handy. I am okay now, Tracy, thanks.
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Stay well.
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❤️
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Interesting, Punam – why has the price gone up so much?
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Too much of rain last year and too much heat in March!
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So many items are becoming more expensive. I loved the last line. I can see a lemon smirking. I hope you recover quickly.
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So they are, Heather, but lemons just sky-rocketed!
I am glad you enjoyed the last line. I chuckled myself when I wrote that. I am okay now, thanks.
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Clever and delightful phrases–but I’m so sorry about the cost of lemons. I use lemons a lot all through the year. I know the price of everything here has gone up. I’m sorry you were sick, but glad to read you’re feeling better, Punam.
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Thanks so much, Merril. I loved the prompt.
Same here…lemons are used throughout the year. Prices of everything have gone up but lemons went up the most!
I am alright now, thanks.
Thanks once again.
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You’re welcome. I’m glad you’re feeling better.
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Lemons make me pucker!! I love the personification of the smirking lemon – I imagine a gleeful shimmy as it evades the squeeze!! Your Espinela is is a perfect form for this topic too! I was pricing lemons and couldn’t believe that they are now $2.50 / pound! No lemon meringue pie in the future here!
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Val, I love lemons and use them throughout the year.
I am so delighted that you enjoyed the Espinela. It did seem the perfect form for this prompt.
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Brilliant!!
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Thanks so much, Ami. ❤️
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You are very welcome! 😊
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WOW, that’s a price spike!! Lemons are so refreshing, too…
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I know…😓
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Oh we do take them for granted don’t t we? Well done Punam. This one made me smile
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So we do, Christine! I am so happy I could make you smile. 😊❤️
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I think we’re seeing only the beginning of high food prices and some items have disappeared entirely. I can no longer find my poor kitty’s favorite cat food. 😿
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Oh, that’s bad, Eugi! So many food items seem out of reach now. 😥
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Punam, I hope the lemon inflation subsides before it gets any hotter! Love the poem! The lemon in the photo looks delicious! ❤
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The prices have come down a bit but we have a long summer ahead, Cheryl.
Thanks so much for enjoying the verse and the pic. ❤️
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Lemons have become more expensive this summer. Take care and stay safe, Punam. A lovely poem.
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Thanks, Kamal. You too take care.
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Welcome dear Punam 💖😊
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I didn’t know that the price of lemons had gone up more than other things… but so many things are happening so it does not seem unlikely
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The main reason was that the unseasonal rains and a very hot March. It destroyed the lemons. Inflation is at an all time high.
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I adore all citrus. Delicious. I do hope the prices come down soon! Gorgeous poem, Punam! ❤️
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Me too, Jeff! I too hope the prices come down. Thanks a lot, Jeff. ❤️
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Ah, delicious! Most welcome, Punam. Always. ❤️
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Great poem Punam!
I have tried to plant 5 different plants and everyone’s are filled with them. I’m nursing one with fingers crossed and fertilizer! 💖👏
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Thanks, Cindy. Keeping my fingers crossed for you. 💖🤞🏼
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thanks dear! 💖🙏
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I gladly smile…
And I’m glad you’re feeling better. Take care, dear.
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Thanks for smiling, Bo.
You too, take care.
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So we do, Christine! So happy to make you smile. 😊❤️
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I trust you are feeling better fully by now. Oh the heat and the prices – I keep hearing.
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Yes, I am alright now, Pragalbha. Thank you.
The prices of essentials have gone up like anything but lemon prices were too much! Now they have come down marginally.
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