She’s in the kitchen
cleaning, prepping
sweetness, wishes
to nurture childlike
longings – sugar laden
gifts, honeyed chops
hooks her men with
culinary preciseness –
as legend prescribes
wants a strong, reliable
type to stir her ovaries
keep her dishing up love
Disappointment, like raw egg
drips off china plates –
shame of misadventures
she cannot scrub away
only serves tea now –
the smell of liquor
mingled with cigarettes
in lecherous calloused
hands turns her stomach
avoids the coffee maker
in the same way, despises
the way the bitter brew
makes her head spin –
wits need to be in order
has settled now as hostess
caters to near strangers
whose attention, riveted
by television screens, are
lulled by the rhythmic
sounds of her sanitizing
while stew simmers in pot,
dreams of romance shelved.
(Originally titled “Hatched”, this poem first appeared here in July, 2017. I am submitting an edited version for Reena’s Xploration challenge: Stranger in a strange land. Image my own)
I love this place am learning thanks to VJ
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Thanks for sharing
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With intentions and desire, one embarks, shame we don’t always get what we want. So well written, VJ!
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Haven turned hell. Goodness.
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Thanks 😊
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Wow 🤯 You are such an amazing writer! I feel like I’m right there in the diner, I can smell the stew simmering.
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Thanks so much!
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Wow! Sad but a powerful display of emotions. Brava!
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Thanks Eugi!
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Most welcome, VJ!
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This hits the gut, VJ!
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Thanks 🙏
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You are welcome.
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There is a visceral quality here that urgently engages though time passes in the narrative. It’s as if she lives with full investment in the moment, at least at first. The ending expresses disappointment and resignation–but she’s still cooking. I guess she has to. It’s what she can do for a job and for participation in the world. Even if sad, I enjoy following her story in large part because of your craft.
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The clear slide, the slow dissolution, the gritty real we’re all subject to is PERFECTLY conveyed here, VJ. This is phenomenally fine. And the artwork fruit looks as delicious as the poetry. Thanks.
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Thanks Ron! Much appreciated feedback
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Whew VJ! This is a good one.
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Thanks K
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From our dreams to reality. Another great write.
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Thanks Heather
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Welcome!
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I agree!
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Thanks Betty!
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I enjoyed your poem very much.
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Thanks so much
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Such a sad poem. The way it shifts from the fantasy to the reality with “Disappointment, like raw egg” is very effective.
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Thanks Liz.
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You’re welcome, VJ.
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Reblogged this on Reena Saxena and commented:
The Cook ….by VJ Knutson
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Fantastic, VJ! I guess it is called ‘Outline poetry’ or ‘Silhouette Poetry” or something where we describe a mental state or emotion without naming it.
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I have no idea but thanks Reena!
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