One poet’s journey writing about the ketogenic diet. Less about sticking to it.
Fat Bomb
My ketogenic trek
began last week.
I must cut
carbohydrates,
calorie-packed
processed sugars.
Swap sweets
for nuts,
string cheese
when belly complains.
One week in,
I've survived.
Yet now
I stare at this bowl,
creamy cold,
smothered in caramel,
hot fudge
and whipped topping.
Dark chocolate
is a heart-healthy cheat
allowed in a ketogenic diet.
Right?
The sticky-sweet snack,
a welcome break
from the salty crunch
of nuts and cheese.
A spoonful of sweet cream
melts and tumbles,
stampeding across my tongue,
sending a jolt
through my veins.
Sundae cheat.
High-calorie treat.
Consumed
in deliberate moderation.
“That’s a Strange Topic for a Poem”
I believe that you can write a poem about anything. We often get caught up in the classic, dramatic flair of romance or despair, but even the most mundane or unusual ideas can become the subject of an intriguing poem. I decided to test that theory by writing this piece about the ketogenic diet.
The first step was to cut the fluff and get to the meaty stuff, just like the diet recommends. I think I did an adequate job with that. Are there metaphors, alliteration, and other literary value here? That is for readers to judge.
Exploring Unusual Topics
Choosing something out of the ordinary for a topic can stretch us as writers. For me, it requires a little research to get familiar enough to scratch out ideas. After my first draft, I search for possible metaphors hidden behind the words. Then, I arrange any emerging rhyming patterns and alliteration.
Try choosing an unusual topic as the centerpiece of your next poem. Here are some ideas to begin:
- plunger
- extension cord
- hubcap
- spatula
- garden rake
- shoelace
- mousetrap
- cinder block
- shopping cart
- bottle cap
- baked beans
About the Ketogenic Diet
When I do my own medical research, I find that the Mayo Clinic is one of the best sources to go to first. Check out their information about the ketogenic diet here.
Invitation:
Choose an everyday object and make it the subject of a poem. Look closely, get curious, and see where it takes you. When you’re finished, share your poem or a link to it in the comments. I’d love to see what you create.