My First True Love

My first true love --
We met in the field at night.
I kept her warm when it was cold.
She made each day a delight.
With wonder that was so bold.
My first true love was a collard plant.

My first true love --
Always a glorious sight,
A treasure she was to me.
Time together was so right.
Everyone could plainly see.
My first true love was a collard plant.

My first true love --
Worth more than a huge diamond,
Fore’er her praises I could sing.
She loved cold sand and warm sun
And sparkled in early spring.
My first true love was a collard plant.

My first true love --
She always smiled in the rain
And glistened in the bright sun.
Firm she was but oh so plain.
Romance should never be done.
My first true love was a collard plant.

My first true love --
Sometimes coarse and so very green,
She grew up extremely fast.
Then ne’er again was she seen.
But my love forev’r will last.
My first true love was a collard plant.


Note: This poem was prepared in appreciation of the Sixth Annual Collard Festival in Maxton, NC, that I attended on Nov. 12, 2011.