Cooking Ahead
A recipe for a lover.
- A pinch of disbelief
- A cup of desire
- Some of hope
- A dash of sweet, a note of sour
- Low heat for hours,
Touch often, simmer low, high heat.
Life is sweetest when shared, cook often
and give the spice of life.
SYLVIA
SYLVIA (HOUR 1, 6am Poetry Marathon 2020)
Her family didn’t know
what to make of her. They wanted
her to shut up, stop talking about
what went on in that two-story house – the
stifling, the screaming, the belt descending,
the shutting down, out; the endless
you aren’t doing whatever you’re told.
The sniping. Lies. Mum’s. Da’s. The hands,
always the hands in the wrong spot.
The shoulder, the waist. Lower, not
to be mentioned. Not even
here – on the blank page – god no,
not even there. Shut up, put your fingers
in your ears. Mum’s the word. Hers.
Should be yours. Make yourself smaller,
shrink your eyes, your heart, go away.
Don’t try to make him, her stop.
Leave.
Recipe for a dog named Griffy
Ingredients:
1. Bark (may substitute woof if needed)
2. Loyalty
3. Joy
4. Wolf ancestry
5. Play
Directions: mix the bark and wolf ancestry together in a large bowl. Stir in five spoonfuls of loyalty and whisk until mixture is smooth. Using a grater, add in joy and play to taste.
Note: This recipe is for an energetic terrier. Cut back on bark and wolf ancestry if desired.
Poem 2 Hour 2
Recipe for a Beautiful Morning 1. half fluttering eyes 2. a smirk 3. sunlight through silk 4. hands still roaming 5. hearts matching breaths Start with a slow churn of half fluttering eyes, while whispering a gasp. Add a smirk and sunlight through silk, below hands still roaming. Blend well until hearts matching breaths are lost over time. If needed, repeat as necessary.
Recipe for End-Stage Capitalism
1. Free range greed
2. Racism
3. Out-of-control technology
4. Virulent viruses
5. Climate change
Mix the first 3 ingredients together in the largest bowl you have. They will rise like crazy when combined.
Add the viruses sparingly to the climate change, which has been simmering overnight.
Combine both mixtures, beating vigorously.
You’re on your own from this point on. Watch what happens and text your observations to:
#Toolittletoolate
A Hard Choice Amid a Pandemic
Influence can be a dangerous mechanism
especially when pulled by heartstrings.
‘Do this,’ he cries
and he expects you to comply
because you are related –
a connection that should mean something
but doesn’t always –
The weight of choice crushing light
because the right choice will be wrong
for someone.
So deep breaths, fill your cup,
listen to the dismal rain
calling you over the pounding
of influence’s call and make your choice.
Recipe for a Mess
Add three mental diagnosis
Some alcohol and drug addiction
Paired with two young parents
One stepfather full of vitriol
Three life tragedies
Four mental breakdowns
Balance that with
One miracle daughter
A miscarriage that wasn’t to be
A devoted spouse that stays no matter how many times
Pushed away
Don’t forget to mix in some compassion
Infinite empathy
A loving heart
Kindness
A magic laugh
A stunning smile
Stir and chill for 44 years
Yields one woman saved by God’s grace
Happiness
- Take family and mix. (Can be blood-related or not.)
- Add friends: can be new and old.
- Add drama and fun.
- Keep mixing until it comes together with understanding.
- Remember the past both good and bad.
- Bake and cool with love and sweetness.
- Enjoy with everyone.
- You have gained Happiness. Congratulations!
In 100 Trillion Years
The world is a screen
the sun is a star
and its light feeds
the life which is filth and blood and flame.
The sensation is the spark,
the thoughts are the wires,
the idea is the design and the hands are the tools
to build order from order from order
in order to bring more beauty to the decay
of all things
and in the end all is even.
Christmas Dream
Recipe for First Christmas
- Cozy Cuddles
- Furry Blankets
- Childish Giggles
- Entwined Finger Hearts
- Magical Whispers
Slowly hope that this dream never ends.
Periodically check for reality to get rid of it.