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There is something about the comfort of making food in mid-winter. It feels particularly true when making marmalade on a cold wet blustery day in January. The first taste of the new batch immediately after potting and cooling on fresh white fluffy bread is a treat. I wrote this poem immediately afterwards.
It is marmalade making season,
pungent Seville oranges in place;
preserving pan, thermometer, spoon
unearthed, cleared of spiders, dead flies.
Last year’s empty jars washed, oven-dried,
sugar packs in place; cups, bowls, breadcrumbs,
morning debris, removed from counter;
aprons donned, sharp knives ready, deep breath.
A generations old rite begins
Raymond Cadwell
11.04.2018 19:24
very evocative--Raymond
Tom Dredge
11.04.2018 18:25
I remember this one from our last Bealtaine meeting and I loved it. I think you have made a couple of small changes and it reads better than ever - and yes, I can smell it.
Phyl Herbert
10.04.2018 15:43
Love the idea of 'A generation's old rite begins' - coming at the end of this heart warming poem. Beautiful movement and images in the poem. Well done Peter
Aileen Foley
10.04.2018 10:56
Ooh that is really bringing the magic of jam making to life!
Love it, good job.
Triona Mc Morrow
09.04.2018 17:07
Lovely! I can smell it!
Clíodhna
09.04.2018 14:33
Love it! I can smell the marmalade!
Catherine D
09.04.2018 14:00
A beautiful poem Peter. A ritualistic and comforting feel to it. Hope it was tasty!
Rosy
09.04.2018 13:50
Very graphic and authentic poem
Debra Davies
09.04.2018 12:55
I love it, so comforting. Are the breadcrumbs from the sliced fluffy white bread?
Aidan
09.04.2018 12:10
Thanks for sharing this beautiful piece, Peter. The cycle of life captured in marmalade making.... it warmed my heart.
Latest comments
25.11 | 22:15
Grief is experience through the mundane. Simple but powerful. The accompanying image really compliments the poem.
07.11 | 11:14
Hi Peter,
A great observation! Social media can be a scary place... I also need to reduce my time there
Hugs,
John.x
06.11 | 16:24
A great one, Peter, in the context you describe. I don't read social media myself, I doubt my equilibrium could stand it. 'The balance of his mind disturbed' yes, I think it would be.
06.11 | 15:59
Yes, gossip is a weapon of mass destruction.
In my business as well as personal life I have zero tolerance.
Echoes of the Old on the New Battlefields
Warrior chiefs of the GAA were early on the field to prepare:
Posts and cones positioned to mark territories
Very young novices came later by parents’ chariots
clad and shod for the ensuing battles
Firstly, paced for speed, resilience and flexibility,
then marked off into opposing teams
Each warrior chief led a young squad of hopefuls
in further exercises to bring them to fit levels
There followed a huddle, an exhortation rant,
responded with clamour of intent and enthusiasm
Skirmishes began, speed across the field, hunt for the ball,
to be delivered as the goal, or to be prevented at all costs
Warrior chiefs egged on, instructed, altered the field of play
the young ’uns complied with fighting spirit
For every fall and hurt spells were cast on the side line
till fitness returned and they were entered back into play
Scores mounted, roars enhanced, casualties grew,
novices flagged and regrouped across the fields
Between bouts came the talks of encouragement
Stay back, pass, pass, pass, keep the pace.
Old hands passing skill onto new palms with dedication,
a gift of generous wisdom gladly given
Peter Clarke
20th April 2024