The kitchen is warm –
the wood-burner glows
like a child’s rosy cheeks.
Joe sits by the fire to doze,
and read the papers.
It’s bread-baking day,
as it’s been for years;
she fetches flour, oil, yeast,
and honey from the larder.
He brings her some water –
warm from the kettle
on the stove, as she mixes,
then kneads the dough.
Her lumbago niggles...
her fingers don’t do
what she tells them...but
she manages, as always,
as ever. She thinks of things
she still has to see to...
Chop some more logs,
collect the shopping; remind
him to get his haircut; he never
seems to bother these days...
let alone shave. She sets
the bread to rise; a second proving.
While it’s cooking in the oven,
“It smells good enough to eat,”
her Joe remarks. ‘Can’t wait
for supper!’...
which comes, soon enough.
“This is great, love...home-baked,
I’ll be bound. A cottage loaf
and rolls as well; so tell me,
just when did you make them?”
She pours him another cup
of tea, as they sit at the table;
hers grows cold.
Comments
Highhat | August 1, 2011 - 21:12
I can just smell the bread baking and taste it as well. I like to bake my own bread but there's nobody to fetch the kettle- doesn't matter ;D
very atmospheric and beautifully told-
;)Pia
Cavalcaderl | August 1, 2011 - 21:32
new Silver-Spun-Sand
Lovely poem, I can't smell,
but I can imagine the bread rising.
I tride make one once, loved watch it
rise in bowl by fire,with lashes butter on.
Do you remember cottage hair style.
I liked shape of the cottage loaf!
Clever poem. Thanks memories, packet of yeast aye!
julie xx
maggyvaneijk | August 1, 2011 - 23:01
you've created such a vibrant and cozy scene, I wish I could melt into it. And then there's the woman you describe and how you subtly shed on her, like:
but
she manages, as always,
as ever.
Beautiful!
Silver Spun Sand | August 2, 2011 - 06:36
Hi there, Pia. Thanks for reading;-)
Yes, I too love to bake bread. Nothing like the smell of it baking, is there?
Tina;-)
Silver Spun Sand | August 2, 2011 - 06:38
Pleased you enjoyed this, Julie and thanks for reading. Yes, I do remember that 'cottage loaf' hair style...way back in the sixties, wasn't it?
Have a good week;-)
Tina xx
Silver Spun Sand | August 2, 2011 - 06:39
Hi there, maggy;-) You too paint such lovely pictures with your words, and I thank you for them.
Tina
Overthetop1 | August 2, 2011 - 07:20
Love this & must get the other half to read it. He likes nothing more than baking a loaf. I could smell the bread in the poem. Great ending. Very bitter-sweet.
Silver Spun Sand | August 2, 2011 - 07:50
Thanks for that, OTT. There's something about making bread that is so very soothing. All to do with all that kneading, I guess, and of course, the wonderful aroma that finally fills the kitchen. More power to your other half's bread-making, and I bet he makes far better loaves than I do;-)
Tina
Florian | August 2, 2011 - 09:26
I'll have mine with strawberry jam, please, and another cuppa while you're about it. What will he do when she's gone?
skinner_jennifer | August 2, 2011 - 09:45
A heavenly scene you conjure up here, with this
piece Tina.
Not only with the baking of the bread, but with
the warm cosy feeling of the kitchen, where all
the family sit and with the wood burner stove to
keep them warm.
This one warmed the cockles of my heart! ha,ha!
Jenny.
MistakenMagic | August 2, 2011 - 10:01
Another poem for the senses, dear Tina! I can smell that bread now and it's making my mouth water ;-) Love the ending too - it strikes the perfect end note. Well done!
Magic xxx
the unfolding head | August 2, 2011 - 14:47
so homely and warm. A lovely poem.
Silver Spun Sand | August 2, 2011 - 17:43
Sounds delicious, Florian, and as to the answer to your question...Who knows?
Many thanks for reading and for taking the time to commment so thoughtfully;-)
Tina
Silver Spun Sand | August 2, 2011 - 17:44
Thanks, Jenny;-) Pleased you enjoyed.
Tina
Silver Spun Sand | August 2, 2011 - 17:45
Hi there, Magic. Pleased it struck a chord with you. Hope your holidays are going well;-)
Tina xxx
Silver Spun Sand | August 2, 2011 - 17:46
tuf - I thank you kindly for your words;-)
Tina
Cavalcaderl | August 2, 2011 - 17:55
new Silver-Spun-Sand
Got no smell but sound grand, and wrm cosy atmosphere,yep make me a cuppa, and slice of cottage
loaf jam and cream delicous, don't think could chew now. Got 4 metres red and 4 metres black net, thanks now, hope daughter put on a waist band or elastic, only you man, in fbric shops, measured it all 27" long and folded it. Much cheaper way, hoe daughter can do. Hot warm day, thinking of you. He had wait 40 minutes bus each way run every 7 mean't to, three abreast he says, so fish and chips down late, and get his bowls. Had sandwich quickly, but got through finals. Oh! come back just seen well deserved cherry!
julie x
shoe | August 4, 2011 - 11:18
A lovely comforting and warming picture here, sad as well though, nicely done, unlike my attempts at bread making!! there must be knack! :}
Silver Spun Sand | August 4, 2011 - 14:25
There sure is a knack, shoe, and after donkey's years of trying, I think I've finally cracked it!
So pleased you enjoyed this one and many thanks for telling me;-)
Tina