POEM by Mark Gamble
We received the poem below from Mark Gamble, brother of John, the Gamble half of the butcher’s shop Gamble and Hollis, and his business partner Chris Hollis. As many in Syston know they have had much success with their acclaimed Pork Pies which are made at their premises in Syston. Indeed, they have had commendations and other accolades for their pies. So Mark thought he would go one better by writing a poem about their pies. The poem draws on the same structure of the Address to a Haggis by Robert Burns. So with apologies to the Scottish Bard below is his effort, which we here at the Stn thoroughly enjoyed and hope you will too!
Address to a Pie
What a delight, a crusty case
A grand pie, or two, a brace
No other could then take your place
Mince, tripe, or heart
You are so worthy of our grace
Better than a tart
The mighty platter there you fill
Consuming you will fit the bill
Your meatiness will always thrill
What a great feed
A great body, made with such skill
We really need
With sharp knife the pie is then slight
To show its innards cooked so bright
Meat in jelly what a grand sight
Just one bite
Yes, you put all other pies to flight
You are just right!
More taste than found in a beehive
Eating just one will make you thrive
If you eat one, you may want five
Tum, swollen be
So just eat two to feel alive
Maybe, just eat three
Those that want their meat in a roux
Or diced, like in a French ragout
These meals can be kept in lieu
For a pork pie
More tasty than a foreign stew
What a great buy!
So you who wish to spend your cash
There is a place where you must dash
You can be there in just a flash
Such a great hit
Time that you give real food a bash
Fit for a Brit
So whilst we eat our daily bread
If you want to be more than fed
Each day before you go to bed
Do not be shy
The food to which you’ll be wed
Eat a great pie
Gamble and Hollis go you there
And ask them for the king of fare
Ask them for a pork pie to spare
Food in a dome
Syston’s own, a pie quite rare
Now, take one home!
Mark Gamble