March 28.20: Coping

I seem to remember

when every grown-up

would sip something vile

from an everyday cup;

with cute little handle

and familiar old chip,

it was frequently clutched

in morning death grip.

I hadn’t yet learned

the elixir brew

was what made the sun rise

and enabled virtue.

But learn it I did

and in the meanwhile

the mug came along

in new sipping style.

Each mug a billboard

devoted to brevity,

graphics and text

mixing java with levity,

it warms our cold hands

not to mention our hearts,

so here’s to the mug

and the lift it imparts!

 

 

Lifting my mug this morning to you, dear reader,

with wishes for you and your loved ones:

may you be safe!

Saluting also photographer S.W. Berg

and coffee mug aficionado D.J. Berg!

 

 

 

 

March 20.20

Happiness eludes

like so much airy dust,

but I can capture mine

contemplating proper crust.

With crackly definition

it tells you what’s inside;

before your tooth can crunch

your eye is satisfied.

Kudos to the bakers

who know how to finesse

the yeasty bubbling goo

into happiness.

 

 

More thanks to photographer S.W. Berg

for this tribute to happy things

and to la Madeleine, for baking them.

And thanks to blogger Susan Rushton

for yesterday’s heads-up about Happiness Day today.

This is not to make light of our worries,

dear reader,

but sometimes we need to add a little sugar

when the yeast won’t froth.

 

March 6.20

Lusty thump

marks application,

with every stroke

fine syncopation,

wood on dough,

performance art,

percussive beat

of kitchen heart,

stretching, tugging,

this way, that,

persuading yeast

or flour and fat

to peasant noodle,

earthy, chewy,

or frail cream puff,

flaky, gooey.

In maestro’s hands

a nimble trill,

here on the wall

lumpish, still.

But regard with respect

the two-handled bole:

even inert

it’s ready to roll.

 

 

More thanks to photographer S.W. Berg

and to la Madeleine, Fairfax County, VA.

 

February 14.20

Cookie avalanche!

A sad miscalculation.

But building cookie mountains

is irresistible temptation.

 

Wishing you a sweet Valentine’s Day, dear reader!

 

 

February 2.20

This date is a palindrome

so  I think that it is right

to begin and to end dinner

with chocolate tonight.

Then forwards and then backwards

it’s the same, I must insist;

dessert both first and last

makes glad palindromist.

 

Well, all right: it doesn’t have to be chocolate. I’m flexible.

Many more thanks to photographer S.W. Berg.

 

January 20.20

A pinwheel of bruschetta

wafts an air that lingers,

compels the proper diner

to lick all of his fingers.

 

 

With thanks to photographer S.W. Berg

and with kudos to Mama Rosa’s

for this portrait of warmth!

 

December 31.19

My new year’s wish for you

is handsomely portrayed

upon this rosy wall

in sprightly accolade:

may dancing pigs attend you,

adventures fill your cup,

may loved ones sit beside you

wherever you sip and sup,

may your plates be heaped with kindness,

your spirit taste no hurt,

may laughter season your days,

may there always be dessert.

.

Wishing you a very happy new year, dear reader,

with muse and chocolate ever near.

Thank you for all encouragement and enlightenment in 2019!

And special new year’s thanks also

to photographer S.W. Berg for this splendid wall!