For want of spices,
sailors sailed
across the seas to lands unknown
braving squalls and mutinies
searching for peppers, cloves, and cinnamon
only to find their precious spice
owned by ‘savage’ tribes –
once free, then no more.
No more bland food for the conqueror.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Mish asks the DVerse Poets’ Pub patrons to serve a 44-word poem with the word “spices” or its derivative in it. The word took me back to history lessons and the Age of Discovery. 44 words allowed me to write this little tongue-in-cheek piece.
Great post dealing with the historical aspect of spices and those who vanquished others to have a bit of cinnamon in their tea.
Thanks, Lillian. 🙂
yes they braved the unknown paths of ocean, for their spicy fixes. Nice write
much love…
Thanks, Gillena. 🙂
So true… spices came at a high price for many, and huge rewards for a few. Yet it benefited our bland food.
True, there is always the pros and cons, depending on which side one sees things. But food wins both ways. 😀
Interesting idea that spicy food comes at the expense of freedom along with the risks to get it.
Way back then, spices were as gold. What will it be today? Water? Oil?
Amazing what history can transpire simply due to want of spices. Nice take on the prompt.
Thanks, Linda. 🙂 I guess if it was not spice, it would have been something else that would have driven folks back then to explore and conquer.
Wow, I am impressed with this!
Thanks, Jenna. 🙂
No, just death at their hands…as always. Some things never change. Excellent post.
Yeah, there’s always tragedy when people impose their will on others. Thank you. 🙂
Nice flow to this, and then that line–once free, then no more–gobsmacked me.
Thanks, Victoria. I am glad you liked it. 🙂
☺
I love this and it is a great tribute to the maritime traditions of those great explorers and the tragedy that came in the wake of the exploration. You have captured several centuries of deep history very effectively. LOVED this.
Thank you, Alison. 🙂
You are welcome.
I enjoyed the alliteration …”For want of spices, sailors sailed across the seas”.
We could easily take for granted these precious discoveries and the tragedies that ensued because of them.