At dVerse Sarah is hosting Poetics with an invitation to write about food.
“Cooking and baking is both physical and mental therapy.” Mary Berry (especially the eating bit 😉 )
The Christmas Cake I watched her begin before she began, feeling her way to the fruit of her labour, she catches time, reading the path, finding her rhythm, crossing over, rediscovering the way, mind-stepping the space, pausing in the bite of her lip, I saw her frown of concentration in the lines of her cheeks, an intentional meditation of parts, a meld of heart and love, no sooner is the room drunk on rum like a bell has been rung, than the air is filled with salivatory expectation, she smiles now. Copyright 2022 ©Paul Vincent Cannon All Rights reserved ®
parallax 
Wonderful write. 🙂
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Thank you so much
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You are welcome. 🙂
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Oh yes! I’m salivating!
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How wonderful, thanks you Carol
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Oh I enjoyed reading this very much. You and Ken Gierke like to watch your loved ones cook. How wonderful that is. I’m sure that adds extra flavor to the food as well.
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it sure does 😉 thank you so much Lisa
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You’re very welcome.
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🙂
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When ‘s dinner?
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Now and well, when we want, let’s get to it 😉
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A great poem, Paul. She sounds like a very focused baker!
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Very, I don’t interrupt that meditation. Thank you Dwight.
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That was v nice — step by step, as she finally enjoys her craft…while the poet drafts..
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Yes indeed, focussed 🙂 Thank you 🙂
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So tenderly observed. I love that moment when it all comes together. Almost a volta.
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I agree… ‘tender’ is exactly the right word for this beautiful piece.
❤
David
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Many thanks David, both of you have named it as it really was embodied in the moment.
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Thank you Sarah, yes, now that you mention it, there is a turn 🙂
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Delicious and mouth watering, I can only imagine from the picture the look of the cake… 🙂
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Much better than the prep photo for sure, a family tradition with so much riding on it 🙂 Thank you 🙂
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Lovely observations – the concentration of the cook and the watcher. Beautifully crafted.
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Thank you for this, loving your response.
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I agree with the quote completely.
This is such a beautiful write, Paul.
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Really appreciate this Punam, thank you
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You are welcome, Paul.
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“pausing in the bite of her lip”, … wonderful observation … a ‘cake’ of many layers, I dare say! Love this, Paul.
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Oh indeed, many layers in these words Dawn, thank you for this 🙂
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You’re very welcome, Paul.
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A five-senses description. We were there with you.
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And sadly the real cake is now gone 🙂 but yes, the multi layered experience was rich too in that moment. Thank you for sharing that Pat.
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Thank you so much for that Chuck.
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Always a pleasure to read and share your posts with followers, Paul!! Have a great day!
😊👍✨✨🎉
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I love the perspective of watching someone’s mannerisms while they are cooking… definitely made with love!
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Yes, that’s it – made with love which is why it turns out so good, thank you very much for this.
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Great observation Paul.
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Thank you Rupali 🙂
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Preparation. Observation. Consumption.
Threefold satisfaction!
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In spades Ken, thank you for that neat summary I love it.
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This sounds like a master-craftswoman at work!
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Absolutely so Ingrid 🙂
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She sounds like a very good cook.
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O yes indeed Bjorn, she really is 🙂
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You have my heart with this poem 😀 I especially admire; “I saw her frown of concentration in the lines of her cheeks, an intentional meditation of parts.” Gorgeously encapsulated! 💝💝
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Thank you Sanaa, thank you for sharing how it connected for you, delighted. 🙂
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Love this PAUL.
“no sooner is the room drunk on rum
like a bell has been rung,
than the air is filled with
salivatory expectation,”
A cake of many layers!
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Thank you very much for that Cindy
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You’re so welcome❤️
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Thank you
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This poem reminds me of Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory,” which is one of my favorite short stories.
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My, to be a reminder of Capote, happy to be associated.
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Well that is something, nice to be reminded of a literary giant.
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I do love being reminded of my favorite stories when I least expect it!
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Yes, me too 🙂
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🙂
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Beautiful 😄
>
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🙂
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🙂
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