Curry

I could not have not found 

A more becoming recreation,

Or could I?

The recipe was not delusive,

But I had improvised just in case.

All the jars of spices 

sat idle on the marble counter,

Or so it seemed to the non-culinary eye.

Chopped cubes of sweet tomatoes,

For a kind heart

Coriander leaves 

For zealous, bright eyes

Curry and mustard seeds

For an affinity for music

A spoonful of cumin

For curiosity and a thirst for knowledge

And a pinch of nutmeg powder

for hilarity and glee

And maybe a small fit of belly-buckling laughter.

Chilli pepper flakes 

For prudent passion

And a can of coconut milk

For the soft, dimpled skin

Of the small hands I will hold and swing

As we stroll to the mini market.

An oddly delightful spring morning 

Squandered in vain.

A realm of stark blue and cream white

Spread on the canvas of my window pane

Neglected and taken for granted.

An offer of amity

With a friend or two

Dismissed, phone unanswered

A cup of tea never ordered

Fascinating gossip unheard

Isn't it absurd?

All for the incentive

Of mixing ingredients in a bowl

Fresh greens plucked from our backyard

And a dash, a tiny dash

Of magic and deliberation

To sate the appetite and aspiration

To reanimate the life,

And lull the grief-stricken heart

Of a barren wife.

Author's Note

Image: Bouquet Garnie
Artist: Timothy Easton

Reviews

[Agyani]

It's fascinating how you have likened various ingredients to emotions. Maybe you thought long and hard about the analogies, maybe you just went with the flow. Whatever the case, you've done a remarkable job. The bit about the can of coconut milk made me smile. :)
Having said that, I could never imagine how you would take the poem further and show the sorrowful condition and pain of the cook. Really hit me hard.

P.S. - The first thought that sprung to mind while reading the poem was whether life and the way we live it is similar to cooking. Using experiences and values as the main ingredients and adding emotions as the spices and herbs, with a bit of seasoning of friendly chatter and conversations or other influences like books and other forms of art and media. I wonder if that thought came to your mind as well while writing? :D

[YouoweYoupay]

Hi, Agyani. I'm always happy to read your reviews. I like to leave the interpretation of the poem for the reader, (that's your job *cough*) But I also enjoy hearing the readers thoughts out loud. Yes, our life is very similar to cooking. Actually, I often wonder if God enjoyed creating us and molding our souls and characters. Did he have fun? Did he fall in love with his creation? Was it like preparing a delicious and heart-warming meal?

Thanks for stopping by.

[Agyani]

I think he did enjoy it, yes. And if he did enjoy it so much, why would he not want to create more meals? We can't really be alone in the universe, can we?
When I say this I'm not implying that God created all life and everything is because that's how He made it so. Just going along with that tangent that erupted due to our musings. ;)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

almost like she gets out of herself to make up the recipe that will spice up her life.
She feels lonely, barren, tasteless....
and then she overdoes it, makes herself too hot to taste...
But she is trying to resurrect her dead heart---yet no matter how she spices up
the recipe of herself...the inside still feels so lonely.
a Superb metaphor here, youoweyoupay,
very impressive writing...as you start something that you finish...enclosed like bookends, you don't leave the metaphor hanging.
j.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I adore cooking and love any spicy foods. This takes that to a different level as the protagonist celebrates the colour, aromas, tastes and flavours that go into a curry yet herself feels barren. A neat juxtaposition in verse and sad.

[YouoweYoupay]

Thank you, John! I'm glad you liked the poem. I always feel a little sad but also hungry when I read it. :)

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Ah! your hunger is but the most flavoursome!

[pearl]

The imagery is amazing! It is so descriptive. :)))

[YouoweYoupay]

Thank you, Pearl. :) I'll visit your profile soon.

[Beccy]

If there were a Michelin star rating for poetry, this would be a 3.

Absolutely delightful poem and the use of our wonderfully expressive language, is both unique and clever.

Beccy.

[Lawerence Rowe]

Quite a twist at the end. As I read along I started to imagine a sort of culinary Frankenstein, but it slowly morphed into a dinner being cooked by a lover to perhaps woo their partner... I was not expecting to finish it imagining an island counter full of half used ingredients, while a woman sat in a windowsill, contemplating into the light drizzle of the midsummer rain over what could have been...

[sonnie ibadah]

the metaphors, the imagery...beautifully penned.

[olla]

I have a book about the medicinal use of herbs and spices.. your poem is spot on.. and well done.. sometimes all we need is a bouquet form the earth's apothecary to set us right as rain..

[Cherrie Palmer]

You let the poem overload our senses. With images aromas and movement. Then with your parting words you bring the whole delightful scene into a profound focus.

[YouoweYoupay]

Hi, Cherrie. Thank you for the helpful and kind review. :)

[wordman]

made me hungry,love tomatoes,that`s why i have a kind heart

[YouoweYoupay]

Hi, Wordman. I'm sorry for making you hungry. :) I love tomatoes too. Thanks for the cute review.

[wordman]

you`re welcome