Neusie

I found this little fella in a packet of potatoes I bought recently. Can you see the two adorable eyes and the skew nose?

This odd-looking potato was laying on my kitchen counter for a few days and every morning I would rub the nose and greet it. It sort of became one of the members of the household.

But finally, I realised that I will have to do something with this weird-faced potato before it goes rotten. I just couldn’t get it over my heart to cut it up or cook it.

To let it “live” for a longer time, I decided to plant it.

I cannot say if this face looks happy or sad, but I do believe that the “burial” went quite easy.

Though it did leave a poignant feeling in me that it is gone and that I will not be able to stroke its forehead or nose anymore, but there was a bit of joyfulness in reaping the new potatoes one day...

Finally, it was the last goodbye before I slipped some soil over this little potato that I grew so fond of. May your off-spring bring a satiated feeling in my tummy.

Every day as I walk past you I will think of you and your leaves will bring joy to my heart when I layer the tires with soil higher and higher.

Rest and grow in peace my Neusie (translated “little nose” in Afrikaans).