Welcome back to the Daily Poem, a podcast from Goldberry Studios. I'm Sean Johnson, and today is

Thursday, September 14th, 2020. Today's poem is by Roll Doll, and it's called The Centipede Song.

This poem comes from his children's novel, James and the Giant Peach, and it's sung by the centipede upon the occasion of the characters attempting to eat the peach for the first time.

I'll read it once, offer a few comments, and then read it a second time.

I've eaten many strange and scrumptious dishes in my time, like jellied gnats and dandy prats

and earwigs cooked in slime and mice with rice. They're really nice when roasted in their

prime, but don't forget to sprinkle them

with just a pinch of grime. I've eaten fresh mud burgers by the greatest cooks there are,

and scrambled dregs and stink bugs eggs and hornets stewed and tar, and pails of snails and

lizards tails and beetles by the jar. A beetle is improved by just a splash

of vinegar. I often eat boiled sloppages that are grand when served beside, minced doodle bugs

and curried slugs. And have you ever tried mosquitoes, toes, and wantfish rows most

delicately fried? The only trouble is they disagree with my inside.

I'm mad for crispy wasp stings on a piece of buttered toast and pickled spines of porcupines.

Then a gorgeous roast of dragon's flesh well hung, not fresh.

It costs a pound at most and comes to you in barrels if

you order it by post. I crave the tasty tentacles of octopi for tea. I like hot dogs. I love hot

frogs, and surely you'll agree. A plate of soil with engine oils, a super recipe. I hardly need to

mention that it's practically free.

For dinner on my birthday, shall I tell you what I chose?

Hot noodles made from poodles on a slice of garden hose, and a rather smelly jelly made of

Amadillo's toes. The jelly is delicious, but you have to hold your nose.

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