When Pasta was Spaghetti my pants were short
the TV had to warm up, and meatballs weren’t bought.
When Pasta was Spaghetti water came in a glass
and when you filled up the car you were crass if you got off your ass.
When Pasta was Spaghetti fearing for your life meant detention at school,
and War was a card game played instead of pool.
When Pasta was Spaghetti Marinara was somebody’s name,
and linguini was spaghetti by another name.
When Pasta was Spaghetti al dente was my next-door neighbor,
penne came with paper and Alfredo was a bricklayer.
When Pasta was Spaghetti pizzaiola was an eatery
lasagna was a novelty and bokerei was a bakery.
When Pasta was Spaghetti Manicotti was Ralph Kramden’s friend
calamari was an entree and Leontyne Price’s Aida was the end.
When Pasta was Spaghetti foods that ended with a vowel
were usually served family style with a loud howl.
When Pasta was Spaghetti it was served with garlic rings
the Sopranos were in business but there was no Bada Bing.
When Pasta was Spaghetti!

So true! I remember warming up spaghetti in a pan before microwaves and I didn't use meatballs because I didn't know how to make them! Mom didn't make meatballs with nine people to feed. She just fried up the hamburger and put it in the three pounds of spaghetti and sauce she made herself. I can also remember making my own spaghetti sauce but that was many moons ago!

You have sparked so many memories with just this one poem! Loved it from the first to the last line!

hugs,
Gail

Thanks for your comments. BTW did you have a neighbor named Al Dente, too?

Herb

Hmmm...It's been a while...let me think...well, growing up in Yankeetown, a suburb of the small town of Homer City (no joke), I was surrounded by Italians and Polish. It's kinda funny when I think of it now because we were called cabbage heads (blondes) by the locals.

I'm certain there had to have been a few Als in there somewhere! Guess my appetite for pasta comes in handy sometimes, lol.

hugs,
Gail