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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.
A Sleet Soaked January Saturday
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
Comments
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.
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