A Poem Written During Covid -- Kitchen I Love You

Kitchen I love you
In your walls, no masks, no fear
Safely you hold me
The world has gone mad, filled with death and uncertainty
But you remain unfazed, familiar, steady
I feel your floor beneath my feet
 
Your cabinets with dishes, glasses, pots and pans
Drawers of silverware carefully arranged
Your pantry holds pasta, rice, cans of red tomatoes
Tuna, oatmeal, a dazzling display of riches
Refrigerator filled with lemons, grapefruits, greens spilling over drawers and shelves
Eggs set neatly in a tray — safe and unbreakable
 
I open your doors to find all that I need
A bunch of kale; an onion gently covered in brown, paper-like wrapping
Your countertops ready for food to be magically transformed
Sink shining, anticipating dirty dishes and silver
 
My heart beats to your rhythm
The rhythm of smells & tastes, sounds and sights
The chopping of onions, garlic, eggplant and pepper
The sizzle of oil in the cast iron skillet on your stove
Aroma of caramelized tomato paste with fresh oregano
All melding together into flavors that delight
 
Vase filled with roses and lilies bursting with color
Lasting at least a week until he buys me more
Candles lit, challah baked, wine poured for Sabbath prayers
These we still say joyously.
 
Kitchen I love you, but you have grown quiet these days
Do you wonder what has changed?
I thought you had all the secrets
You give forth food 3 times a day
I know your hidden crevices filled with forgotten staples — some gone bad
I’m with you more — new dishes to try
Bread to bake, sauce to stir
 
And yet, like me, you find yourself more & more alone
No family or friends grace your presence
Where are they?
Their hugs and smiles, laughter and conversation
Are you waiting for them with me?
Perhaps for a time when we can all eat and drink together
When you can once again share your abundance
 
Till then keep your cupboards full, your counters clean
Your magic fully alive
Kitchen, I love you
Please stay with me, hold me, keep me safe