The Warmth of a Winters Diner

The Warmth of a Winters Dinner David J Walker The blackened cast-iron caldron Sat on the stove burner waiting for The task to begin the water and the low flame taking its time all day to claim a winters meal It would begin in the morning with onion joined by carrots and celery Chopped on the butcher's block In bite-sized portions Adding a bag of frozen peas then Salt and pepper Eight cups of water And cubed up pieces of A frozen round steak, all Bathed in a tomato paste For a long-days simmer The aroma of the low boiling Flavors escaping the heave lid Filling the house with the flush scent of Each ingredient adding its Own unique element of perfection for The winters dinner to come The smell of cornbread baking In the oven invited everyone to The warmth of the Heart of the hearth Where portions of the stew would be dished into the blue ceramic bowls we knew well and used all of our lives The cold outside was held At bey that night in the warmth of A winters dinner