I find Asian cultures fascinating, and not least Japanese culture. There are a number of pop culture renderings of Bento, but it more closely means convenient, so a bento box lunch is merely a convenient lunch. The furishiki is a small cloth for wrapping the bento box in (these have found other uses in the west in recent years).
“Let things taste the way they are.” Alice Waters
The Bento Life
Her movements were certain,
a well practiced art,
pre-prepared love in rice and duck,
she gathered all the pieces
as she gathered her thoughts
and filed them precisely
in slot after slot,
as yesterday, today, so tomorrow,
her love note
his lacquered bento box,
and as she wrapped it in the
womb of the furoshiki
and tied it well,
she knew that it was her love
alone that would hold it together.
©Paul Vincent Cannon
Paul, pvcann.com
Form follows function. The precise wording of the poem matches the preparation of the bento box lunch.
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Thank you so much Pat.
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I loved this idea and kids think it’s a special treat
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Yes, so creative, simple but attractive.
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When I unwrapped my bento box lunch, I said, “Where is the meat?”
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What’s wrong with raw salmon? 🙂
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This is quite touching, Paul. You taught me two concepts I was unfamiliar with. Thank you.
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Thank you for reflecting on this LuAnne, and for sharing, so nice to learn.
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A lovely use of metaphor!
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Thank you for drawing that out Liz, yes a work of joy.
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What a wonderful title and motif.
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Thank you so much for sharing that.
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Love this poem. I once had a shop in a mall and there was a Japanese couple who lovingly prepared sushi and Bento boxes, and I always felt that when I bought food from them I was getting so much more.
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Yes, the time and care it takes, and in a meditative, rhythmical way too. What a lovely place to have nearby.
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Wonderful, thank you Charles
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My pleasure, Paul!!!
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🙂
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A wonderful metaphoric poem, and great information too.
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I so enjoyed writing this most of all, it was a joy.
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Felt it, Paul! Thank you, and have a beautiful upcoming week. Michael
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You too Michael, and thank you.
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Loved it. It’s wonderful that poetry can flow from a bento box.
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I was so captivated by the thought I just had to write it, so enjoyed doing that.
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And I enjoyed reading it and wondering at your amazing imagination.
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Well, that is very encouraging, thank you so much for sharing that.
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Very deep
>
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Thanks Lyn for that.
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