Clam Chowder

Let's have lunch together. Would you like to come over?

Clam Chowder

 

Taste of sea salt clinging to my tongue.

 Soup bowl holds first creamy bite.

Tantalizing fragrance tempts my appetite.

Oh you never get old, clam chowder!

 

 

Numerous enjoyments over and over; give me more please.

So perfect are a few soda crackers laying so lovely on soup’s surface?

What is left to improve it? Clams, milk and potatoes need no improvement.

Well, maybe a little onion, garlic, and celery as it bubbles and fills my house with comforting smell.

The poor crackers sitting on a plate must not be forgotten; no, no; for the crackers would be lonely, don’t you think?

How about some cheese to go with?  How about a little butter, How about a little jam?

I have brought cheese and butter, creamy and good; comforting really. So, I am sure you should know the jam was made by 

my mother’s own hand.

This pretty little jar holds her lovely raspberry compote. Oh I cannot wait. Can you?

So let us quit all this talking and get busy for we have a lovely lunch to enjoy!

Oh I forgot; let me get the flowers I arranged.  Who doesn’t love flowers?

    

   You are allergic to them? Well that’s all right. Let me take them to the back of the house.

March, 2018, Kathy Van kurin

                             

Author's Note

A pretend indoor picnic.

Reviews

[Ted Kniffen]

Hmmmmmmmmmmm!!! CLAM CHOWDER...does it get any better? Of course there is the debate of New England clam chowder (sounds like yours) or Manhattan clam chowder...and then of course there is Conch chowder in a bread bowl eaten at a little diner on the beach in St.Kitts.
I'll take all three.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Ted,
Yes, I do love soup in general but clam chowder is in a food group all alone ; comforting you know. It is good for many things that ail a body in my book. Ha, ha.
thank you for you cool review.
Kathy

[richieb]

Kathy,
I have never had clam chowder but after reading your poem it sounds delicious. Your words are enticing, describing aromas and textures. To be able to describe a bowl of soup and make it exciting lends to your talents and creativity as a poet. Nice personable ending adds a nice touch. I would accept this invitation anytime!
Peace and Joy,
Richie b.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

richieb,
The more we all communicate the more I wish I could meet personally many writers, including you! As the saying goes, "simple things are best." For me clam chowder is surly one of them. I love the aromatic vegetables in cooking..celery, onion, garlic. Speaking of aromatic the flowers just ending up in this little piece.
Thank you so much for your input.
Kathy

[richieb]

Kathy,
I agree with you on wanting to meet some of the writers that we share stories and poems with. I respect you as a person and your awesome writing. I would love to meet you and some others that I respect. Meeting at the Lords Banquet table may be the place. It will be a Blessed event.
Peace in Christ,
Richie b.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Thank you for the reminder....this is not the end.

[Crowley]

Its a picnic I want to attend!!! I love clam chowder. I started salivating at the description and my stomach started rumbling. You description of the smell, the taste and the eating were mesmerizing. Loved this, off to get something to eat!!!

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Crowley,
How nice of you to have a little lunch with me. I hope your own lunch is wonderful too. I had pancakes for breakfast with peanut butter and a homemade mocha. Thank you for enjoying my little thing I wrote.
Blessings,
Kathy

[kentuck14]

O boy . . . do love that clam chowder!! What time is lunch!? The flowers are OK . . . even the little bugs you bring in with them . . . then it's a real picnic!! Oh, and hey . . . what do we have to drink?

Great poem Kathy

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Kentuck14,
I had not given much thought to what to drink...hmm. I think plain ice water sounds wonderful. How bout you?

[kentuck14]

best for anyone.

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

When I first started reading this I said to myself, "I never read a poem about food before," and then as I read on I said, "I never read a poem like this before period." A homey and welcomed feely poem that made me as the reader feel like I was there with you about to enjoy delicious clam chowder. This poem is amazing, dear! Thank you for sharing it! Keep up the good work! :)

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Food is good and food is good for our bodies. To share it is good for the soul as well and for the heart. Your response is really isnpiring and very kind. Thanks so much. I am glad you could find something to enjoy in my simple efforts. Thanks again!
Kathy

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

You're most welcome, Kathy. :)

[An owl on the moon]

Your delicious poem has such a rhythm for its spice, and the unfolding story is poignant and blissful. Smiled so much at this indoor picnic. Wondrous and sweet. I really do love a warm bowl of clam chowder, and even better in a sourdough bread bowl. (Ah, and my aunt and cousin in Oregon got hit with all kinds of snow. Hoping you are warm and safe out there.)

[Kathy Van Kurin]

I loved sharing a nice hot and comforting bowl of yummy soup and appreciate you coming by so much! It has been fun to see what is enjoyed and how we all enjoy good food and good company. A 'sourdough bowl' would be a nice way to enjoy this as I have never. Great idea. thank you muchly!
Kathy

[An owl on the moon]

Appreciate you sharing the warm soup, especially since more snow is heading this way! I used to love having the soup in a bread bowl on the wharf in San Francisco. Brought back happy memories. :)

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Very very cool. Have a wonderful day

[Pete]

Yum! one of my favorites. a dab of butter and some pepper for me. you've set a wonderful table with your words and sentiments Kathy. who wouldn't want to sit down and dig right in ... :)

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Pete,
That is a good point..'a dab of butter and some pepper' for me too! Love pepper too much for sure. I wish you healthy food and happy times with others in your life. Thank you for coming over.
Blessings,
Kathy

[Einstein Noodle]

oh my my my Kathy Van Kurin .... i would love to have lunch with you ... you are going to need a very large hall, table and kettles of clam ... you have reminded me how much i enjoy it ... and have described each delectable part ... with best trimmings ever ... especially "mom's jam" ..... mmmmmmmm mmmmm good! the bit about the crackers is so spot on .. one has to have just the right amount ... your prose/poem has warmed the cockles of me heart dear ... now for the tummy! ;)
E.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Einstein Noodle,
Your lovely kind words have encouraged this soul again. It is interesting and delightful to see your response. Thanks bunches for the culinary essay you given in your great review! Seriously the jam is actually a part of many things my own dear mama is really good at. I cannot invite all of the dear people here over but I can do an imaginary get together. Thank you so much for your presence. Bless your heart.
Kathy

[Einstein Noodle]

you blessed me with another smile just now my friend ... your invitation is generous ... hugs to you and yours ((((((((((((((K))))))))))))))))

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Einstein,
I surly wish you lots of good and wonder in your home as well!

[.]

Never had this dish before, Kathy, and to be honest I am not sure it is a dish i would enjoy, but your description throughout the piece has made it sound scrumptious nonetheless.

That you constructed a piece of writing based on a simple lunch dish speaks volumes of your imagination and creativity. By all means enjoy the chowder and kudos for another finely constructed write.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Doodley,
Fortunately there are so many things we all like. I am sure you have eaten wonderful things I have not. Yes the clam chowder I am speaking of is really a potato soup with a little onion, garlic, celery. sauted and then a clam base and milk added very slowly and brought to a simmer.
Thank you for reading my little story.
Kathy

[simo]

please send me a bit of that clam chowder.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Simo,
Thanks for your review. I hope you enjoyed the visit and lunch as much as I did. Thought I would do my response to you . The first time was just not long enough. Do you like a particular type of food or soup above others? I would love to hear about it sometime.
Blessings,
kathy

[Tony]

My uncle was watching this old movie called Fight Club, and every since I saw that movie I won't go near clam chowder. Hahaha
But all in all the descriptions you gave seemed pretty appetizing, and inviting.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Thanks Tony Mak,
We can be influenced by different things. I have loved the texture and flavor of clam chowder all my life. Thanks for reading. I suppose writing is describing our feelings and etc.
Blesisngs,
Kathh