Cookbook Conundrum

I have a lot of cookbooks

that fill and decorate my shelves.

Yet when I want to bake or cook,

the internet is where I look.

Some of them are very old.

I keep them because they're odd

with strange ingredients, and measurements,

and preparation methods from abroad.

Some are from a place I lived

when I was growing up.

One is from my grandma.

One got chewed on by my pup.

Some are specific to my gadgets,

like five little bread machine cookbooks.

There's one for my old microwave,

that I got when I was learning how to cook.

Some are for the holidays.

Some are for when I'm on a diet.

Some are for serving children healthy foods.

But please don't tell them. Keep it quiet.

Some are from the famous chefs

I watch on Food Network.

One is autographed by Alton Brown.

My husband met him at his work.

I need a Paula Deen cookbook,

whichever one contains that recipe

I found myself drooling over

(The Lady's Brunch Burger)

that I watched her make on my TV.

(I think it needs a slice of cheese.)

I have a vegetable encyclopedia,

a book all about edible flowers,

one with recipes for eating Raw,

and one with recipes that cook for hours.

Every time I buy one

I aim to get rid of one I never use.

But when I'm going through those books,

I find it very hard to choose.

by:  Paula D. Nevison