It Is One of Those Dinners

it is one of those dinners
leaning in the doorway, she is working
to her, this is a simple one
spaghetti ala Carbonara
she explains it to me as she processes
pancetta is meat from pork belly 
salt-cured in black pepper, other spices
made with egg, hard cheese
prefers to use the spaghetti noodles
altho other kinds of pasta are used
you may also use guanciale for pancetta
she fluctuates between Pecorino, Romano
for her hard cheese
before her, i also varied my cheeses
white and yellow American cheese
which soon disappeared in our marriage
leaning in the doorway
i am enthralled still as i watch her
years have only increased my ardor
and i do listen to her every word
upon the plate, it appears
garnishes with a grating of Parmigiano-Reggiano
topped with parsley
bread smothered in garlic, cheese liberally sprinkled
salad of spinach, kale, arugula, topped with
cherry tomatoes, black olives, her own dressing
sworn to silence about the dressing ingredients
at dinner, she explains the eggs
they feed the chickens marigolds to add yellow
the creamy is obtained by correctly emulsifying
eggs, cheese 
using some of the water used for the pasta
i have heard every word
never taking my eyes off of her
now you may ask, hasn't she said this before
i will tell you, i heard every word
this is the woman
to whom i was reading poetry
on a park bench, a ritual in our lives
where love walked us to the aisle
praying Cupid would grant my wishes
unleash a quiver of arrows
suddenly streets were amok
full of beggars upon horses
she reached over and closed the book
then said, shut up and kiss me
my patience is at wit's end
love is mysterious in its ways
it is inside humor we share
over a plate of spaghetti ala Carbonara
outside the world dances in its din
the furnaces of stars churn away
and not once have the marigolds
at this table produced nostalgia 
for my yellow American cheese
i have heard her every word
it has kept me on my toes
that life never presents her
at wit's end

   3/5/19   Kismet
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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Debole Avatar
June 20, 2022 at 1:12 PM
Tim, You have a unique poetic style in expressing this love story. Enjoyed the way you weave the imagery of the history of your love and what went into "one of those dinners." - Gail
Romios Avatar
June 15, 2022 at 9:16 AM
Tim~ you appreciate beauty. I love it! “The furnaces of stars churn away” Awesome. Panagiota
Ray Avatar
June 15, 2022 at 10:01 AM
thank you...very appreciated
Babcock Avatar
June 13, 2022 at 11:55 AM
Just reading your poem is making me hungry but honestly I like the message you give Timothy. love phyl
Horsman Avatar
June 12, 2022 at 6:54 AM
Listening to every word sure makes for interesting poetry, and heaps of learning curve in there to for this reader. Enjoyed this, Timothy.
Ray Avatar
June 13, 2022 at 7:53 AM
thank you harry....and that is what i strive for whether in the bible or my poetry, it is not the messenger, it is the message....and this is why humanity suffers, sidewalks full of arguments missing the message...I am my brother's keeper
Marcum Wong Avatar
June 11, 2022 at 2:57 PM
Attention to detail and being able to express it in a humorous and romantic way is entirely captivating Timothy. I thoroughly enjoyed this. Blessings xxoo
Ray Avatar
June 11, 2022 at 3:13 PM
thank you Connie....these are stories, part mine, part others. i did quite a bit of research into the concept of "soul mates" while most marriages are happily average some have very pronounced traits. they share Cryptophasia, the language of twins. mere word or body language and they know the paragraph, they also have friends but spend most of their time together and most importantly, support each others dreams
Logan Avatar
June 11, 2022 at 7:56 AM
You have a way of phrasing things that carefully blended humor and romance into this most delightful and intriguing poem. If it's not a true story, I shall cry from disappointment. Yellow American cheese may not mix with parmigiana but forget the pasta for a moment and let me swoon over imagining the entire story. A kiss on a park bench at her asking! She must be Italian. How can a man ever tire of her> He could not, which is why you watch her cook with a grin, listening to every word. Faved.
Logan Avatar
June 11, 2022 at 9:15 AM
It's an important message, not to be taken lightly or for granted.
Ray Avatar
June 11, 2022 at 8:31 AM
the bench story is true, the poem is an admixture of truth, inspiration, and imagination, what is important is delivering the message....love listens..the reason i take you thru the process is to show he listens, he retains...what i want from my poetry is life is learning...remember "As Good As It Gets" his dour nature finally surrendered to his novels
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