It was ‘In Praise of Cocoa — Cupid’s Nightcap’ by that legend of the comping world Stanley J. Sharpless that gave me the idea for the most recent challenge, to write a poem about an unlikely aphrodisiac. How confessional your entries were, who can say, but I liked Adrienne Parker’s account of an erotic encounter with a washing machine. Others who caught my attention include C.J. Gleed (Lucozade!) and Ralph Rochester (‘When I am limber, limp or slack/ I turn my mind to Lady Thatcher/ Waltzing along a forest track/ And no one there but me to catch her.’)
The winners take £25 each. The bonus fiver belongs to John Whitworth, who points out that, unlikely as it might seem, we have it on Shakespeare’s authority that the potato is an aphrodisiac.
John Whitworth Casanova loves potato. Chips are what he gives his chick. Though she be as chaste as Plato Sizzling chips will do the trick.
What a rhizome, steal some, buy some, Mother Nature’s passion fruit! Guys from Cuba prize that tuber.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in