#FloetryByJulietKego: Sautéing sorrow; drinking in dreams

Glass in hand, a pint of this and that
we pause to remember and celebrate
the ones who sauté the storms that sizzle
brave ones who make us linger over lush aromas
the clanging of crockery; loud clunking of pots and pans
ahhh! flavours floating up our being and all around the home

Excited chatter of young and old voices
sly and naughty peeks into the many pots
still cooking on the stove; tasting a sauce here
some sprinkles of spice there
oh! a little dash of ose Nsukka too
a piece of tender meat
a still-warm piece of bread
rising from fondled fresh batter, set it in an oven

Beautiful cacophony of colours
of mixed vegetables and nuts and fruits
a splendour to the sight, a tease to the senses
the aroma of the juices from turkey, chicken, lamb
goat meat and succulent sirloin beef
bare hands marinading and infusing
the heart-herbs and soul-spices slowly

An epiphany – everything tastes like a miracle
even when life is far from wonderful
because we know this; memories of all
whom you love and have loved
sieve into these spices of life
hmmn, we hold each in your heart
as we pour in broth, oil and waters
aye, into each bowl, each pot, each pan

It is not merely cooking
this, is an adventure into culture, history, life
this, is a feast of love, of thanks, a dance of the harvest
a celebration of the earth and heavens
of stars and the beings orbiting and inhabiting it
food is but a medium, a language, a pathway to us

In the end, we seize the day
and capture a moment of magic
where we all pause to say:
LOVE is the sustenance
family and friends, the reason for being
and ‘neath the moon, is where we share
secrets and familiar stories
connected to the source of it all
-aye, a thanksgiving!

Your were here sir, ma’am, brother, sister
and through your eyes and journeys
we commune through a seance of senses
with loved ones, here,
and those like you, gone there,
we got a chance to dance
with spirits, angels, fairies, gods
and most of all, we got to simply be…human

A salute to you! Those who show us
the wow! wonder of ordinary days
entrenching themselves in us, opening
our consciousness to see and be extraordinary
to celebrate our ALIVENESS
We are here! We are alive! We are thankful;

for the food of love
all different flavours & colours of it
here, where we sauté sorrow; drink in dreams

Live in love; rest in peace, AMEN

(c) Juliet ‘Kego