Dinner for One

the water is boiling     pasta swims

beneath sparingly salted eruptions,

as I uncork the wine     tonight Merlot

splashes into a curved top Bordeaux  

 

the table is set     one plate, one fork,

one wax steeple with a tongue of fire,

and I wait     wait for the sauce to simmer,

a dinner for one nearly done     again

 

you linger in the scent of marinara      still

haunting a kitchen we built as lovers,

and this table keeps memories beyond food,

my hands remember as I lightly stroke the grain

Reviews

[Kristin Lee]

I really like this one. When a relationship ends it does leave shadows/remnants behind that cannot be so easily erased. You've captured that sentiment beautifully.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Kristin.

[kublakhan27]

From a poet such as yourself, who is so adept at spinning legends and painting surreal scenes, this is a stark piece of pure emotion...I'm sure you've been told this by at least a few people, but I've had far too many of these nights...mind you, when I write about them, they tend to come out a bit more agitated and not with the subtlety you've presented here, which only serves to emphasize the loneliness that much more...there is something about the simple act of cooking, it is a playful activity between partners, or a byproduct of solitude that must be done, even if the solitary character is too depressed to have an appetite....I guess it goes without saying that this one spoke to me...wonderful work my friend.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much. I totally agree...the act of cooking and eating is something that is completely different when you are with a partner and without; it can go from happy to lonely in seconds!

[kublakhan27]

Very true on that my friend. Always a pleasure :)

[KAin]

A lonesome piece. You have a talent for ensnaring the senses as well as drawing out emotions in your readers. This is beautiful work.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much for saying that, my friend!

[Derek Smith]

I can relate I like this.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you, Derek.

[Derek Smith]

No problem

[Antonio Valentino]

oh my gosh this was, wonderful

it brought, that surge, of emotion to the surface

kind of like a gasp that ran into a wall

dinner for two, minus you..

this really brought out the cook, and the loner in me

meals were never meant to be eaten alone

this was a great one

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, I'm so glad you like it!

[Antonio Valentino]

it was a delectable plate of food for thought

:)

[Mark]

so sad. I would light a candle for my own single dinner, but that would make me really sad. Come find me, we can eat together!!! LOL

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Haha Thanks, Mark!

[Tom]

I sense the loneliness in this poem, reminders even in the grain of the very table of romantic meals once enjoyed between two people in love, though now only one half remains of this idyllic duo waiting as the pasta simmers, waiting, waiting and waiting......

I really enjoyed the atmosphere you created in this poem Girl Friday, a very strong emotional piece indeed!

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Tom...you definitely "got" this one :)

[Wicked Dahlia]

such a tactile and evocative piece. this is sad and softly heart wrenching. i especially love the last stanza.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much!

[Rita L. Sev]

You hit all the senses as you pull at the heart in this piece, Sarah. Memories are so intertwined with scents and textures, and we torture ourselves by calling them. This can be read as a scorned lover, or as a widowed soul (reminds me of my mother, who cooks only for herself now...) A tangible poem Sarah, wonderfully written.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Rita!

[Clara]

So familiar.

I loved that you integrated the sight and scent of food together with wine (something that's mature and vintage) and mixed that in with touches.

It's a sensational piece, Sarah. Loved it.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Lola!

[Clara]

Anytime! :)