celery, who needs it

the recipe calls for celery.
how often do you purchase
those slender green
nearly translucent vegetables,
not often, maybe once
a year when you're making
beef stew.
you avoid it at a party no matter
how much cheese dip
is stuffed between the narrow
alley. with reluctance
you accept it in a bloody
mary, but don't see the point.
moving the stalk to the side
so that you don't poke
an eye out.
you resist
the package of three stalks
and go to the salad
bar for the chopped up
pieces.
celery has never been your
thing, even in stew, but
you're able to ignore it
as it floats among the other
ingredients, like meat and potatoes,
carrots and onions. real food.
celery, who needs it, except
at a time like this
when dutifully following
a betty crocker
recipe for beef stew.