I long to be Crème brûlée,

Elegant, appetising, challenging.

With a hard shiny surface

That repels the unworthy

A puzzle to the stranger

Underneath - soft, silky

Rich and smooth and just a little bit French

I fear I am a muffin

High in fibre, plain, sensible

The boring choice, the predictable selection

Where random ingredients

Often on the verge of spoiling

Are thrown into the mix

Savoury or sweet but never the show-stopper

I used to be leftovers

Crammed into plastic Tupperware

Left to sweat in the back of the fridge

Slowly turning sour with neglect

Flecked with red and black mould

Eventually discarded with disgust

During a biannual fridge clean

But I'm probably a soup

A colourful medley of vegetables and legumes

Hot or cold, spicy or fragrant

Healthy and hearty

A guiltless pleasure on a cold day

Unremarkable, but familiar

Occasionally lacking seasoning

Always better with cheese

I believe I could be described as; a fulfilling breakfast that consists of whatever one might find enjoyable on that given day, such as eggs on Monday followed by toast on Tuesday, it's not consistent by any means. I picture this hypothetical breakfast being eaten at a small almost diner like table that could realistically only fit one person, maybe two if you try hard enough, the table would sit in a area that protrudes out of the kitchen; like a half circle. This area would have floor to ceiling windows and a beautiful light fixture on the ceiling, there would be plants that climbed up the window, and a clear view of the kitchen, which would look like any other kitchen, perhaps bigger though. Whenever someone made anything in that kitchen it would waft around the house, however, the scent of the breakfast would be the most potent. I'd be a good for the soul type of breakfast that always had fresh juice that always varied as well, and fresh fruit that stayed relatively the same, and everything would be enjoyed thoroughly. I imagine the person who'd be enjoying these breakfasts is a beautiful woman who loves things of higher quality, and she'd be enjoying her breakfast with a cigarette. I believe that I am reliable yet everchanging with some fixed aspects of myself, I long for scenarios I create in my head such as that little area in my hypothetical kitchen, I'm a dreamer for a larger than life lifestyle like that beautiful woman. However I try my best at life one step at a time.

A fear of heights is something soothed by a strawberry shortcake. Heading halfway up a trail, for who knows what may be at the top. A better view perhaps, but a slip and slide on the way down that makes you wonder if it is worth the climb to find out. Nonetheless, there is always going to be a strawberry shortcake at the bottom. Slices of fresh berries atop whipped cream and chantilly cake. An angel food foundation for the angel applicant that stares at Paul Klee paintings wondering when it will be her turn to amuse with whipped cream the same way Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass is inspired by party dresses and sugar. Star shaped leaves because this fruit contains my whole inner galaxy. Have a bite of the cosmic bliss that is the personhood of strawberry shortcake.

On low and slow, cooked all day

the deliciousness of the perfect rub

that juicy brisket runs over my tongue to play

For it there is simply no sub....

Then again, chips and queso

oh Lordy, there's the Enchilada

can't leave out the jalapeno topped nacho

Without TexMex life would be nada

Cream gravy on top of a Chicken Fried Steak

Not to boast

mashed potatoes covered with a cream gravy lake ....

and that delicious Texas toast

Nothing wrong with my taste that is for sure.

A two-margarita limit sometimes I should have quit at the first of a half glass

who I am is a simple tour

Liquid gold or not I am a little bold, sassy and ditzy but not afraid to land on my ass.

I appreciate life and all the things that have made and continue to make me, me

Friends, work, laughter, trying to be kind and just happy to live

So whether my days or juicy or spicy

I'm happy to be a Texas native.

Y'all I embrace it all...every single minute I am blessed to have.

crimson bruised brown in spots

you'd never guess what waits inside

leathery unwelcoming spiky sturdy tough thin skinned

dig deep work hard till fingers appear to bleed ruby red

though unyielding tasteless tangled protective membrane

stripping uncovering unveiling

multitudes of bittersweet jewels

then

bring me dripping dribbling to your lips and suck deep

delectable morsels that pop prickle pursing your lips tight

leaving you lusting famished

for another nutty bitter bite

Some may ruminate

we are Devil's food

or molten lava

cake

something

sickly sticky

at the most glorious

red white set

checked picnic

on high

but it's unlikely

along this trail

we are more

a beef jerky

half-cured

yanked

around

masticated

dry

in the mouth

then swallowed

hard

tasteless

after awhile

sitting

something

heavy

in the bowels

2024 FEB 25

Flour... paste

could be '

anything... grist

carbohydrate

the secret

Ingredient

to lose weight

flesh for flesh...

pound for pound

on the counter...

more deeply

exhaled

carbon... out

the smallest gap

pale... scent

an invitation

for reimagination

the webbing...

in the bag

on opening...

Grandma'am says:

chute

might as well

go ahead

bake 'em in...

just a lil extra

amino acid...

and protein.

02.26.2024

Soul Food challenge @Julzbejulz