Starters for Tea: a poem

When my children came home from their Grandma's, to me

They talked about having picnics for tea

A rug on the carpet in front of the fire

Whilst all still wearing school uniform attire

A tiny triangular sandwich with ham

A cracker with cheese and a half scone with jam

A handful of crisps and some apple in pieces

Grapes cut in half and white chocolate 'meeces'

Tellytubby toast and cherry tomatoes

Crispy french fries made from baby potatoes

Cold chopped up sausage or cubed chicken tikka

Then on the settee to watch Tracy Beaker

But now they're all grown up and when they all visit

They'll ask "what's for tea, is it hot pot or brisket?"

If there isn't much in, or they can't all agree

Then I'll often suggest, "Let's have starters for tea!"

Jalapeno poppers with sweet chilli sauce

And crispy calamari with mayo, of course

Olives and hummus and warm pitta bread

And tomatoes with feta all sundried and red

Salt 'n' pepper crisps, a bagful to share

A leftover slice of rump steak, cooked rare

Chorizo with mushrooms and lemon to squeeze

You can't do much better than 'starters for tea'.