Dinner Time! - Poem A Day - 6

Dinner Time!

For years I put a meal onto the table

every evening for our growing gang.

While that was my responsibility

I was not an especially good cook

nor was I enamored of the kitchen.

The family joke was, when hearing his car

pull in I’d often hurry to the pantry in a panic,

remind myself of what was there and

encouraged by the warm hug approaching 

place the ingredients on the counter

as if the meal had been planned all day.

Of course he knew

He had my number

And loved me anyway

Sometimes I’d quickly put a pot of water

on to boil for the pasta or potatoes

sometimes, if there were a good driveway

story to finish listening to on the radio,

he’d walk in the door to the aroma of

onions frying or hamburg browning

for the spaghetti sauce

He knew, and loved me anyway

Sometimes the kids would query

“Is this a recipe, Mom?“

I’d paste a smile and assure them

that of course, it was my recipe.

He’d grin. He knew…

Each night we’d gather round the table

calm the boisterous and give thanks

then eat it all, washed down with lots of

chatter and laughter (or not) about our

days, along with planning for tomorrow.

Now all is quiet at that table

Instead of fixing meals

I fix a bite to eat.

Instead of chatter, visions float by

Remembering, I smile, and give thanks.

He knew me well and loved. We loved.

JoMae

4/6/18
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