A JACKFRUIT'S PROTEST! (Against the Mango)

A JACKFRUIT’S PROTEST!
(Against the Mango)
By Arthy Muthanna Singh

‘I’m sick and tired of people going on,
And on and on and on and on…
About the mango being the King of all Fruit!

Whatever gave him the license to,
Take on the mantle as only he can do?
I am lodging a complaint about that silly coot!

I’ve spoken to the rest of the entire group
The Apple coterie and even the Cantaloupe
We’re not going to stand for it, so boo!

‘He’s soooo vain!’ the peach exclaimed.
‘He probably thinks this poem’s about him!
He has to be taken down a notch or two.’

If there was a beauty contest here, right now
Who do you think will win hands down?
Not that yellow-faced excuse for a fruit, no chance!

Okay, I’ll admit he comes in over a thousand varieties,
But that alone does not mean he’s top priority.
And, and, my bark is as good as any bite, for instance!


I, for one, must modestly say
Am cheaper by far, any which way
Have you ever paid a thousand rupees for a kilo of me?

I can appear in a curry or sweet dish,
So can he, I know, but have you ever heard of a mango chip?
And, my seeds can be roasted and eaten, can his?

And there are poems and songs and designs galore
On that mango, it makes me so sore!
Anyone pen a poem on me, just maybe?

Will you all join my protest herewith?
The mango has to go from the top of the list
I’m not saying that you put me there, but…

Uff! Go, all of you and buy all that mango loot,
But you’ll soon come crying back to me, to boot
And then, I will stake a claim to the throne.

Maybe you’ve never had a taste of me
It is an acquired taste, you see
I’m this poet’s favourite, who has excellent taste!

Ah, ah! I can see that you are having second thoughts
Come one and all, cast your votes carefully
Let’s dislodge this imposter effectively!