Kent Johnson 2004

Thanksgiving 2004
Thanksgiving Dinner : A Menu Poem
Guest of Honor: Kent Johnson 

“Poets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese.” —G.K.Chesterton

epigram

When I die and they bring my ashes to rest at Gary’s World of Miniatures roadside attraction

We will pass their diminutive version of the Vietnam War Memorial, the Eiffel Tower, The Great Wall and the Pyramids, the Seattle Space Needle, the Sidney Opera House….

will wander past the United Nations building, and off by the “It’s a Small World” area sits the styrofoam model of the Vatican

In the round area of St. Peter’s Square they will empty my ashes from the urn

and my scattered form will be the very essence of americana

and in that moment may I find the great poets gone before – I will tell them Kent Johnson was my friend And you’d damn well better watch out

Thanksgiving 2004 : A Menu Poem for Kent Johnson

Thanksgiving Menu

1st Course

Stir Fry of Scallops and Shiitake Mushrooms with Gingered Grits and Bacon Vinaigrette

2nd Course

Tomato consommé with an Alphabet of Vegetables

garnished with a Ron Syllabub

3rd Course

Dungeness Crab Salad with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette

4th Course

Hamachi with Edamame Puree, Spicy Grapefruit

and Watermelon Radish Salad

5th Course

Seared Rare Ahi with a Plum Wine & Daikon Beurre Rouge

Steamed Jasmine Rice

6th Course

Fire Roasted Rack of Lamb and Rosemary Demi–Glaze

Sautéed Purple Artichokes and White Asparagus

7th Course

Asian Pear Trifle