Introducing more friends from Forlorn Corn’s Fruit and Veggie World…
you never know, you may meet them in a future book!


In a bountiful garden where plants roam free, 
Each one has a quirk— as you soon will see. 

Forlorn Corn is the first one  that we’ll meet today 
Sad and lonely, but hopeful  in his own special way 

He knows there are friends that he has yet to meet, 
That are silly, and fun, and would make life complete. 

Though he hasn’t met all of them, no, not quite yet 
You’ll soon get to know them and like them, I bet.  

Here they are, for your pleasure, the whole veggie crew 
They'll surprise you, delight you, and teach you words, too! 

While Timid Tomato turns rosy  and hides, 
Zany Zucchini glides in with a slide 

Considerate Carrot thinks of everyone 
Oblivious Onion, well, his zipper's undone.

Boisterous Beet belts out tunes with flair, 
Meticulous Mushroom adjusts every chair. 

Frenetic Fava Bean zips all over the place, 
While Flamboyant Fennel twirls her leaves made of lace. 

Empathetic Eggplant hands out tissues with care, 
Pedantic Potato corrects with a glare. 

Ostentatious Olive is well-dressed and sparkly 
Suspicious Snap Pea eyes everyone darkly.

Pretentious Pumpkin quotes poets aloud, 
While Sensitive Scallion stands back from the crowd. 

Tenacious Turnip climbs steep garden beds, 
Precocious Pea reads twelve chapters ahead. 

Lethargic Leek likes to lounge in the shade, 
While Bubbly Broccoli hosts a parade. 

Cantankerous Cauliflower grumbles and gripes, 
Affable Asparagus brings ‘round all the types. 

Frantic Fiddlehead frets from news of a frost 
Gregarious Garlic is a natural boss 

Quirky Quinoa dons some bold stripes with plaid, 
and her friend Kooky Kale thinks that style choice is rad. 

Cerebral Celery speaks more than nine languages, 
and Loquacious Lemon speaks just one for ages. 

Lackadaisical Lettuce takes long midday naps, 
While Courageous Cabbage has everyone's backs 

Clever Cucumber makes big brilliant things, 
Sassy Spinach just shows off her beautiful rings. 

Bombastic Bell Pepper can put on a show 
But rather than clapping Distinguished Date bows low. 

Offbeat Okra makes music with spoons, 
Charming Chard’s compliments make everyone swoon. 

Our friend Bashful Basil turns red when you wave, 
While Radical Radish is wild, brash, and brave. 

Ravenous Rapini eats every last snack, 
While Cordial Collard Green politely steps back 

Wasteful Watermelon forgets to reuse, 
Chaotic Cantaloupe keeps losing her shoes. 

Hapless Honeydew trips over a vine, 
Persnickety Parsnip says “This row’s not aligned.” 

Hectic Habanero runs hot and then hotter, 
Audacious Artichoke cannonballs into water. 

Flighty Fig flits and forgets where she flew, 
Delicate Dill wilts and droops if the sky is too blue 

Organized Oregano sets her pencils in lines 
While Rambunctious Rosemary cartwheels and climbs. 

So if you come and visit this garden someday, 
Just know: every veggie has something to say. 
They’re wacky, they’re wild, and one thing’s for sure -
They’re authentically them, and in that, they’re secure.

A Garden Roll Call