Hi, Jessie! Thanks so much for being first to comment.
These are basically just poems from my archive that I know I won't have time to make into "proper" posts. But when enough of them are up, they'll link together into a timeline of my history as a poet.
Not me reading this like a weird little menu from a dream kitchen and going, yes sure, add lime, whyyy nottt~ I have no idea what the cotton-tooth clowns are cooking, but I trust the chaos enough to take one bite. Memory closet, thyme, suspicious garnish… fine, chef.
Oh... and thanks so much for dropping in, Asuka-chan! <3
I didn't want to include that in my other reply because I wanted to restack it, and (for some vexing reason) Substack sometimes forces you to duplicate your *restack note* as a comment.
Don't we regularly cook up 'dishes' that need to be filed away for long periods of time ( 'to cool' ) before they're ready for the finishing touches (and human consumption)? All poets are chefs... dwelling in this huge kitchen where the shelves are always fully stocked, but no one ever orders anything.
OUGH. while i have grown used to the extensive rafa post, short rafa post has stood its ground well. happy to report that your imagery still sticks out to me even in the small doses. i've been having a tough week myself, and reading "cotton toothed clowns [...] still waiting for what they deserve." felt like a wake up call. imagined one staring at me. also imagined being the clown.
thank you for the scrumptious concoction. really believe small pieces like this stretch the writing muscle in great ways.
Hehe... your comments are RIVeting as always this morning. And now you've caused "Send In the Clowns" to become stuck in my head. I'm sorry to hear about your tough week.
I'm not sure how stretched my writing muscles are, as this piece came straight out of the archives with hardly any revision necessary. But engaging in comments sections here always stretches them a bit.
It's a fresh week! Hope things go better for you, my friend.
The recipe is really something. I think maybe it's about the way it feels to discover a piece you started writing a long time ago, and realize you're finally prepared to finish it.
Brilliant, Rafa! Looking forward to the next ones ☺️
Hi, Jessie! Thanks so much for being first to comment.
These are basically just poems from my archive that I know I won't have time to make into "proper" posts. But when enough of them are up, they'll link together into a timeline of my history as a poet.
The Meal
Forget the brick road, the clowns, and the stars,
We aren't chasing ghosts in flickering towns.
The map we follow is much closer to home,
Written in sizzle, in garlic, in chrome.
Pull open the drawer where the memories sit,
Let the thyme find its footing, let the slow embers spit.
The magic’s not waiting for what we deserve,
It’s alive in the craving, the sear, and the curve
Of a spoon lifting heavy with rich, quiet grace,
Erasing the noise of this frantic, fast pace.
We don’t eat to remember, we eat to be here,
Where the heavy smoke clears
a sharp splash of lime
Cuts clean through the weight of the kitchen and time.
So let the world twist on its axis of stress,
We’ll sit at this table and claim our excess.
Bright, biting, and bold on the tip of the tongue,
A song made of flavor, perfectly sung.
No waiting, no wishing, no cosmic delay,
Just the heat, and the bite, and the joy of today.
Bon Apetit
Ooh! *licks his lips* This one is masterful. 😋
You should try dueling pianos with Eira Linden.
We may like to call the album GASTROSCOPES
And they'll be serving gastropods & champagne at the bar!
Not me reading this like a weird little menu from a dream kitchen and going, yes sure, add lime, whyyy nottt~ I have no idea what the cotton-tooth clowns are cooking, but I trust the chaos enough to take one bite. Memory closet, thyme, suspicious garnish… fine, chef.
Oh... and thanks so much for dropping in, Asuka-chan! <3
I didn't want to include that in my other reply because I wanted to restack it, and (for some vexing reason) Substack sometimes forces you to duplicate your *restack note* as a comment.
Don't we regularly cook up 'dishes' that need to be filed away for long periods of time ( 'to cool' ) before they're ready for the finishing touches (and human consumption)? All poets are chefs... dwelling in this huge kitchen where the shelves are always fully stocked, but no one ever orders anything.
I really like your work, Rafa. Your use of language and rhyme, the images you create. It's fresh, unique and fascinating.
I truly appreciate the read & comment, Alicia. (The restack was amazing too!)
It’s the fresh faces who pop in to say they liked something, that keep me doing this.
Witty poem...
Thanks for reading it, Qamr! I'm always delighted to see new faces.
Some days, you just feel pretty. And witty. And bright. Those are the days YOU HAVE TO WRITE!!! Hehe...
OUGH. while i have grown used to the extensive rafa post, short rafa post has stood its ground well. happy to report that your imagery still sticks out to me even in the small doses. i've been having a tough week myself, and reading "cotton toothed clowns [...] still waiting for what they deserve." felt like a wake up call. imagined one staring at me. also imagined being the clown.
thank you for the scrumptious concoction. really believe small pieces like this stretch the writing muscle in great ways.
Hehe... your comments are RIVeting as always this morning. And now you've caused "Send In the Clowns" to become stuck in my head. I'm sorry to hear about your tough week.
I'm not sure how stretched my writing muscles are, as this piece came straight out of the archives with hardly any revision necessary. But engaging in comments sections here always stretches them a bit.
It's a fresh week! Hope things go better for you, my friend.
Sounds spicy and delicious:)
Thanks so much for the kind comment, Valerie!
The recipe is really something. I think maybe it's about the way it feels to discover a piece you started writing a long time ago, and realize you're finally prepared to finish it.
Sometimes it's fun to look back over your early work and see how it compares to what you're doing now. enjoyed your poem from my archive
I have a multi-decade archive, so it'll be fun to browse once it's all posted in this format. Drop in anytime for another one!