Poetry Sunday

Yesterday, Cartoon Saturday focused on restaurants ... nice places to go for those who, nowadays, love to eat out and can afford it. Today, let's eat at home. I love to cook, and so did my Dad. Mom was a good cook, too ... not brilliant, but we certainly didn't starve. And family meals are about more than just eating, anyhow.

My Mother Was a Brilliant Cook 

by Maria Mazziotti Gillan 

The first time my mother went out

to eat was on her 25th wedding anniversary

at Scordato’s in Paterson, and the second time

was for her 50th anniversary

at the Iron Kettle House in Wyckoff.

My mother said, “I could have cooked

this meal better myself.”

But I knew she was happy,

though she would have never admitted it.

Once my mother came to Paterson

from Italy in steerage,

she was content to stay there.

She was a brilliant cook,

and didn’t need to go to restaurants.

She loved her house, poor as it was,

and never stayed in a motel or took a vacation

or wanted to.

She was content to offer platter after platter

of food to her family gathered

in her basement kitchen, and to watch them

laughing and talking together,

while she stood behind them

and smiled.

Have a good day and enjoy the rest of your weekend. Enjoy mom's cooking ... she won't be around forever. More thoughts coming.

Bilbo