‘She’s allergic to green’,
you told me that day.
Allergic to green?
That’s odd, if I may
say so. I mean..

If she went to the U.S.
and touched the money,
would it make a mess
on her skin? Not funny,
you’re right. I guess.

If she went to the woods
and a leaf fell on her
would spots, like buds,
blossom all over?

Think of all
the things you’d miss
if you were allergic to green:
leaves, and mint, and herbs, and grass,
and peas, and spinach, and beans.
Rocket, lettuce, iceberg and heart
In fact, you’d miss most greens.
But mostly, the L in BLTs!
And jelly, and wellies, and key lime tart
…have I already mentioned peas?

‘She’s allergic to green’,
you told me that day
but then you actually explained:
it’s the chemical in things
that makes her complain
not really the actual green!