I see you on the back row.
Curried skin.
Sweating like you swallowed the
Entire bottle of tabasco.
Shakes like a wild sage leaf
In West Texas wind.
"Caraway!"
You say, scoffing.
Play on words.
Try to bury the tiny
Mustard seed of faith
That brought you here.
Nutmeg cantaloupes,
You think we are-
With our laughter
Over our own
Tragic antics.
Lemon grass does not make
Lemonade
In your pickled life.
Overflow with
Dill and vinegar
Oh No!!
You nearly faint
As I reach out to you
With cinnamon smiles
Of a child who escaped
Disaster.
Clung to cloves of
Ancient history,
You watch us mingle
In unlikely mixture
Of vanilla and peppercorn
Above the oil and water
That will not mix.
Won't you
Release your poppy seed
Romance and
Let us walk with you
Through the
Fenugreek bitters
To Recovery.
Author notes
This is a reference to initial feelings of fear, doubt and misery of those attending their first recovery meeting. When they are still shaking and sweating and hiding on the back row trying to melt into the wall so no one will notice. If you have ever attended 12 step meetings, you know that initially the laughter at past tragedy can be a bit shocking for the newcomer who is sometimes only seconds from their last fix. Hopefully, I painted a spicy picture of the first glimpse of recovery and the hope it offers to the newbie who doubts anything will save them.
Oh, and I loooooove curry. Hard to pinpoint a specific favorite spice though. I also love the smell of burning sage and of fresh rosemary.
Written September 28th, 2005
In a list
What did you think
Comments
1 - 10 of 10
-
You know, the last time that I read this much poetry by one person I was reading Anne Sexton. Most of the time I tend to get bored; especially with political pieces but you do a really good job with those.
I am amazed – seriously.
If I could publish people I’d publish you in a heartbeat. Heh.
I think there are only three? Other poets here at ap that I find worthy of reading. [incase you’d be interested & because i like showing off pretty poets: springheel, justbe, SolsticeHorse oh, oh, oh and lavendersadism – I can’t believe I almost forgot her – but I don’t read her ‘here’ that could be why.]
I really like the different herbs you brought into this poem it made it very themed and makes it obvious that you are a knowledgeable person. -
Your welcome.
I've heard that about people from the south and southwest. That their use of language often differs from us here in the northeast.
There is a lot more slang down there than there is up here, I guess. We don't really have any accents to speak of, accept for two....Boston and New York. Other than that, we mostly all talk the same.
It's good that you're working on tightening up your work, it shows you care about your poems and put life and love into them.
Always a good thing.
much love,
James
-
Lol, James, I really am trying to work on that ing thing. Sometimes it is just the way I talk. We Texans don't say much of anything correctly
. I doubt that I will ever completely lose the lingo, but I have become a bit more aware of it and sometimes make it all the way through a piece without using it at all.
Sometimes though, I just like the way it sounds
. Lol, I am such a rebel 
Thanks for stopping by, I really do appreciate the honest comments. -
A few spots here and there could be rid of the use of " ing " endings...I have been mentioning this a lot of late because I can't stress enough sounds like that are merely filler in the end.
Some actions need to be expressed with " ing " endings ,
Examples: Dying , Living , Leaving....Others , Can be tightened down to a smaller version of the word or another word. Come to think of it , Even my example words can be turned back I guess...lol.
What is weird to me is you use them quite a lot in the first four stanza's...And then , You don't use any at all , Accept for the word " clinging ". Which proves to me that you are indeed capable of tightening up your work and you are also able to keep a firm eye on what is to unfold.
For the most part , I enjoyed your images and am glad that you are expressing poetry in such a unique and different angle. I don't see much around here I consider very individual...This is one of those rare moments.
Take care and happy holidays ,
James
Edited on Dec 22, 4:46 p.m. because ''. -
Thanks so much for the comments and the applause. Glad you enjoyed it .
-
i loved the similes used in this peice it was great and inspirational to many new poets. <3 kay
-
Thanks so much for the comments. It is a topic that is close to my heart. I am really glad that the contest brought it out for me. Don't think I could have done it without the herbs and spices .
-
The emotions you wanted to show are highlighted by the spices you used. This was such a powerful write it brought the images to life. Good luck in the contest.
-
Lol, I havent been able to stop thinking about food since this contest started. Get outa my way Jenny Craig, I'm gonna eat something
-
I love curry to,
you captured me all the way through,
Thankyou for your comments on me
I feel, see the spice,nearly makes me sneeze
Adding your comment:
1 - 10 of 10
3 old applause
