The Funeral

This was one of the first poetry assignments we had in this creative writing workshop.  We were talking about memories and read different poems where the memories revolved around a scene in a kitchen.

Our assignment was to write a poem about a scene in a kitchen.  We had to include some heat source, something dead, something green, and a female of some sort - and we were not allowed to show up in the poem.

The Funeral

 

Baked in the Easter heat of

An early desert summer,
The kitchen is crowded and warm,
Perfumed with the
Inviting aroma of her favorites
Masking the unforgettable
Malodorous musk of a
Surprised skunk.

They stand together

Talking…
Laughing…
Hugging…
Crying…

Memories made over

A handful of recipe cards;
Tales traded over the
Cordial cacophony of
Clattering cast iron lids.

The tables and counters are full –
Full of food…
Full of love…
Fully of sorrow…
Full of family

Still they cook –

Aunts, nieces, cousins, friends –
Cultivating the memories of her as
Grandma once did her roses.