Trilogy Moments for the Mind, Body, and Soul (October 2006) is a unique poetic blend of spirituality, tranquility, and self-awareness in life’s journey for the reader to experience. The publication introduces a new form of poetry, Epulaeryu, which is a new level of poetry that tantalizes the taste buds with home cooking to exotic dishes and drinks with an international flavor. The various poetic forms in this publication reflecting on love, family relationships, romance, world travels, the seasons, prayers, spirituality, and inspirational thoughts take the reader to a new height of experience in poetry. The combination of poetic talents by the authors has something for readers of all ages in a diversity of cultures to experience and enjoy.

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EPULAERYU POETRY

November 29, 2006:  Epulaeryu Poetry Definition - Part One (The Name)

I have received several requests from authors seeking further knowledge regarding the Epulaeryu poetic form invented by me. I will break the word down in its two parts. Let us start with the first part, Epulae. The word Epulae is derived from the Latin word meaning a feast or form of feast from the culinary arts. It could also be classified as a very large meal, a banquet, or to partake in a feast with drinks. One could equate it with a big family barbeque on the Fourth of July. Quite possibly, it could be a great Thanksgiving meal. As we know, the Greeks had many feasts for various reasons. Likewise, other nationalities have their own forms of festivities with delicious meals, drinks, songs, music, or just a family gathering to celebrate and give thanks for various reasons.  

The second part of Epulaeryu is Ryu. This word was selected from the Asian arts meaning form, style, or a certain way of doing something. Both of my sons are martial artists with black belts in different forms or styles of martial arts from Korea and Japan. In studying the forms with them, I have respect for their particular style. As such, we have our own ways of doing things, especially when it comes to cooking a tasty dinner, or a delicious meal. Upon studying the different styles and forms of meals, Ryu was added to Epulae to make the word Epulaeryu. Obviously, this is a special form or style of feast or meal. Thus, the poetic form Epulaeryu is about delicious, tasty, flavorful, appetizing, savory, succulent meals, or feasts, from the culinary arts including drinks.   Having served in the army for over twenty years, I have had the opportunity to visit many places in Europe, Asia, and America. During those trips, I have had some of the most delicious meals, have rubbed my tummy many times over, and have toasted many feasts and dinner events. The name has been revised many times over the years before Epulaeryu was finally selected as the name. I will discuss the syllable format of 7/5/7/5/5/3/1/ and how it was selected in another article. Hopefully this helps with understanding how the name was derived.  

This is one of my first Epulaeryu poems:

Curried Chicken (Epulaeryu)  

Brown rice cooked with kidney beans

Specially flavored

Curried chicken and ginger

With cranberry sauce

Side of tossed salad

So tasty

Yum!                          

© Joseph S. Spence, Sr. 12/2004                        

© All Rights Reserved  

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December 1, 2006:  Epulaeryu Poetry Definition - Part Two (The Form)

The Epulaeryu form is being enjoyed by many across the world. The comments and responses being received from many are appreciated. It says to me that there are connoisseurs who are enjoying delicious and succulent dishes and drinks. We eat from dishes of varying sizes, and drink from glasses and cups of different shapes. As such, the Epulaeryu form has a different shape and the lines vary in size and syllable count. As one may note, there is an order to all formation of things in life.  

The military is an organization with a lot of formations. There is a type of formation for marching, training, fighting, playing sports and the like. There is also a numbering sequence for forms of activities and completion of tasks, like completing a progressive form in martial arts training. Having served in the military had some influence on the form of the Epulaeryu. Working things by the numbers was applied to establish the 7/5/7/5/5/3/1/ form. It’s so much easier to work with things by numbers for me; as one may guess, I had to help my children with their math homework.  

Additionally, applying the principles of deductive and inductive logic was a part of the process. Logically, the Epulaeryu flows in a deductive format from the top down. It starts with seven syllables, like a topic sentence, and ends with one. The last syllable is an emotional outpouring about the meal. In the alternative, one may also look at the Epulaeryu in an inductive manner, reading it from the bottom up like an inverted pyramid. It starts with the emotional exclamation point and works upward. Applying inductive logic, one is able to unravel the taste and delicacy of the culinary arts, meals, and drinks. Some have stated that there is a slight similarity of the Epulaeryu with other poetry forms. In the future I will conduct an analysis of such differences and similarities. 

Here is an Epulaeryu poem I wrote about lobster and mango juice while vacationing on the Caribbean island of Jamaica:  

Island Lobster Treat (Epulaeryu)  

On the plate lobster steaming

So finger licking

Pallet and taste buds jumping

Mango juice—real nice!

This taste is just right

Lobster treats?

Yea!

© Joseph Spence, Sr., 12/1/2006 

© All Rights Reserved      

In essence, the Epulaeryu poem is about delicious cuisine and drinks from the culinary arts. It consists of seven lines with thirty-three (33) syllables. The first line has seven (7) syllables, the second line five (5), the third line seven (7), the fourth line five (5), the fifth line five (5), the sixth line three (3), and the seventh line has only one (1) syllable which ends with an exclamation mark. The form is 7/5/7/5/5/3/1. Each line has one thought relating to the main cuisine. Therefore, this new poetic form, the Epulaeryu, which has corresponding lines built around the main dish and drinks, ends with an exclamation point, and concludes with the writer’s excitement and feelings about such a specially flavored cuisine. The Epulaeryu poem was invented by Joseph S. Spence, Sr. The name was selected while touring the Mediterranean, Asia, and America, and enjoying various succulent and nourishing cuisines and drinks with an international flavor.

Some examples are:

Sautéed Duck Feast (Epulaeryu)

Sugar with vinegar, great!
Duck sautéed to taste
Onions, ginger, and berries
Skin off; all low fat
Grace? Call the priest now
Nice duck feast
Yea!

© Joseph S. Spence, Sr. 2/8/06
© All Rights Reserved

Comments: This is dedicated to those who appreciate the taste of a delicious meal of roast duck. This is the dream of those who hunt. The guys around the campfire roasting a fresh duck are in paradise. Enjoy the treat!

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Bread of Life (Epulaeryu)

Feed us with your bread of life

Like heaven’s manna

Your springing well quenches thirst

Reviving lost souls

Communion of saints

Bread of life—

Christ!

© Joseph S. Spence, Sr. 3/10/06
© All Rights Reserved

Comments:  The bread of life is given during communion.  God will always feed His saints and provide for their welfare.

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Scrumptious Scallops (Epulaeryu)

Soy sauce with less sodium
Freshly ground pepper
Driver’s scallops in sweet sauce
Spice with olive oil
Deliciously soft
So tasty
Nice!

© Joseph S. Spence, Sr. 1/6/06
© All Rights Reserved

Comments: This is for those who enjoy the taste of the sea. Scallops are so soft and tasty. They are low in fat and cholesterol. When cooked with pasta and greens they are so finger licking good. Enjoy the treat!

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Tasty Dessert (Epulaeryu)

Butter and sugar with nuts
Sautéed in the pan
Special blend of rum to mix
Sliced fried bananas
Pastry on the top
Delicious
Great!

© Joseph S. Spence, Sr. 2/11/06

© All Rights Reserved

Comments: This is for those who enjoy a tasty dessert after a great meal. It’s so irresistible and goes especially well with an aromatic cup of coffee to soothe the soul. Wow!

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Crabmeat Feast (Epulaeryu)

Crabmeat for a special treat

Styled for just this feast

Legs flowing with juice when cracked

It’s time to get down

Finger licking good

For my lips

Kiss!

© Joseph S. Spence, Sr 5/10/06

© All Rights Reserved

Want to know more about Epulaeryu Poetry?

You can contact Joseph Spence Sr. by clicking here.