by Chris Brockman
Member since:
March 16, 2007

Sorry Charlie?--FWE Taste

November 20, 2010 01:22 PM UTC (Updated: November 20, 2010 09:40 PM UTC)
views: 0 | 9 people recommend this | comments: 34

Don't Be Sorry, Charlie

 

In the commercial,

Charlie Tuna confuses

What tastes good

With good taste.

His lack of finesse,

In a sea of clammy ads, is

In fact, tasteful semantic irony.

It hooks us not just in the sound,

But with a ripple of logic.

Our sense of taste leads us to prefer

The texture, the aroma, the felicity

Of what we chose to put in our mouths.

Our sensibility leads us to prefer

The surface, the symbolism, the sense of life

Of what we accept in our heads and our hearts.

The effect of ambience on how things taste

And reports of delicious aesthetic experience

Make it clear that Charlie 

Can be forgiven for his

Flakey, fakey floundering

Over the meaning of taste.

 

                                    Chris Brockman

 





Comments: 34

Veronica Hosking Nov 20, 2010, 1:26pm UTC
I remember those ads.
Katryn D. Nov 20, 2010, 2:04pm UTC
me too
Chris Brockman Nov 20, 2010, 3:31pm UTC
It is memorable--that's the point--not necessarily for the right reasons, but that isn't the point.
Veronica Hosking Nov 21, 2010, 12:00pm UTC
Well the ads were cute but we don't buy starkist tuna. Bumblebee tuna is the hit in this house. And my girls eat a lot of tuna fish sandwiches. I think we should buy stock in the company. I go through 6 cans of tuna a week.
Chris Brockman Nov 21, 2010, 12:27pm UTC
We buy Tongol tuna at Whole Foods. It's less expensive, especially since its "chunk" tuna is equivalent to others' solid. Sopme of what's being sold as chunk these days is all too much like cat food.
Veronica Hosking Nov 21, 2010, 1:22pm UTC
I know every morning I make up the tuna salad I think, Yum cat food. But the girls eat their tuna sandwiches for lunch so I shouldn't complain.
Bernard C. Nov 20, 2010, 1:30pm UTC
Quite a painting and to think it was not that long ago too - thanks for sharing :-)
Chris Brockman Nov 20, 2010, 3:33pm UTC
I had to go fishing for this one.
Bernard C. Nov 20, 2010, 6:35pm UTC
Thanks for submitting to
The Surreal Circus.
Kathryn Flynn Nov 20, 2010, 1:34pm UTC
I remember a friend who complained about people who use the word, Classy, stating that people who have IT, never use the word, Class or Classy, but always use the word, Taste.

I always felt sorry for Charlie, while loving the brand.

Oh by the way, is Chicken of the Sea, chicken or tuna? Poor Jessica Simpson. Most kids have that figured out when they are five. Um. Tastes like tuna.
Chris Brockman Nov 20, 2010, 3:34pm UTC
What are the relationships between class, classy, and, and classic?
JOHN BECK Nov 20, 2010, 1:35pm UTC
It's probably not by accident that taste has those disparate meanings.
Chris Brockman Nov 20, 2010, 3:35pm UTC
It would be interesting to look at the etymology.
JOHN BECK Nov 20, 2010, 4:43pm UTC
It would. My daughter would thrive on that assignment.
Kathryn Flynn Nov 20, 2010, 1:37pm UTC


Accepted into FWE taste ~ in Gather Writing Essentials.
Chris Brockman Nov 20, 2010, 3:35pm UTC
It's always good to be accepted. :)>
David W. Nov 20, 2010, 1:41pm UTC
A whimsical treatment of the prompt. How delicious the irony.
Chris Brockman Nov 20, 2010, 3:37pm UTC
I had a real steak in this one--medium rare.
Wilhelmine E. Nov 20, 2010, 3:45pm UTC
Enjoyed this. Fun to read.
Chris Brockman Nov 20, 2010, 5:29pm UTC
Thanks, Wilhelmine. It puts me in mind of your own poetic observations. It's nice to hear from you.
Sandy Moore Nov 20, 2010, 9:35pm UTC
This is a cute one.
Chris Brockman Nov 20, 2010, 9:41pm UTC
Why thank you, Sandy.
Ann Marcaida Nov 21, 2010, 11:28am UTC
In spite of its playful approach, this is a serious poem. Sometimes I think our entire country has Charlie's aesthetic. And the news media, of course, is a glaring example.

Thanks for sharing with Gather's Best Writers and Artists. Now featured.
Chris Brockman Nov 21, 2010, 12:23pm UTC
Do you think that's part of celebrity worship, or at least worship of the celebrity (read wealthy) lifestyle?
Ann Marcaida Nov 21, 2010, 12:30pm UTC
I think I'd agree with that. After all, people with a lot of money seem to fall prey to the arguably "best tasting" food-- recreational drugs.
Bill's Spirit Nov 21, 2010, 12:12pm UTC
You mean candlelight doesn't make everything taste better?

A most Excellent insightful write, Chris.
Chris Brockman Nov 21, 2010, 12:22pm UTC
Actually, the point is that ambiance may well make things taste better. A tasteful setting, for many people, makes food more enjoyable. This includes me, but "good taste," for me, might well be friendly, efficient service in a simple diner.
Greg Schiller Nov 21, 2010, 3:02pm UTC
What a gorgeous piece!!
Chris Brockman Nov 21, 2010, 3:35pm UTC
Gorgeous? It must be those rainbow scales shining in the sun. Thanks, Greg.
Kathryn Flynn Nov 25, 2010, 11:45pm UTC

Featured in FWE taste ~ in Gather Writing Essentials.
Ruthi C. Nov 26, 2010, 11:48am UTC
The fish forgiven; you've good taste in your head and heart.
Chris Brockman Nov 26, 2010, 5:08pm UTC
That's where it resides, for sure.
Lynn P. Nov 26, 2010, 4:09pm UTC
I find a peanut butter and jam sandwich eaten in a peaceful shed is better ambiance than a five-star meal eaten in a crowded restaurant. ;)

Your poem is food for thought.
Chris Brockman Nov 26, 2010, 5:07pm UTC
There are times when that pb&j is perfect.

Join the Conversation
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Already a member? Sign in
top
 
Gather | Friends | Groups | Share
About Gather | Engagement Marketing | Gather Points | Advertise on Gather | Gather Press | Privacy | Terms of Service | Community Guidelines
Books | Business | Celebs | Entertainment | Family | Food | Giveaways | Health | Money | Moms | News | Politics | Sports | Style | Technology | Travel | Writing
Version 18247, "Zach"; Copyright © 2013 Gather Inc. All rights reserved.