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There is something about the comfort of making food in mid-winter. It feels particularly true when making marmalade on a cold wet blustery day in January. The first taste of the new batch immediately after potting and cooling on fresh white fluffy bread is a treat. I wrote this poem immediately afterwards.

A Sleet Soaked January Saturday

It is marmalade making season,

pungent Seville oranges in place;

preserving pan, thermometer, spoon

unearthed, cleared of spiders, dead flies.

Last year’s empty jars washed, oven-dried,

sugar packs in place; cups, bowls, breadcrumbs,

morning debris, removed from counter;

aprons donned, sharp knives ready, deep breath.

A generations old rite begins

Comments

Raymond Cadwell

11.04.2018 19:24

very evocative--Raymond

Tom Dredge

11.04.2018 18:25

I remember this one from our last Bealtaine meeting and I loved it. I think you have made a couple of small changes and it reads better than ever - and yes, I can smell it.

Phyl Herbert

10.04.2018 15:43

Love the idea of 'A generation's old rite begins' - coming at the end of this heart warming poem. Beautiful movement and images in the poem. Well done Peter

Aileen Foley

10.04.2018 10:56

Ooh that is really bringing the magic of jam making to life!
Love it, good job.

Triona Mc Morrow

09.04.2018 17:07

Lovely! I can smell it!

Clíodhna

09.04.2018 14:33

Love it! I can smell the marmalade!

Catherine D

09.04.2018 14:00

A beautiful poem Peter. A ritualistic and comforting feel to it. Hope it was tasty!

Rosy

09.04.2018 13:50

Very graphic and authentic poem

Debra Davies

09.04.2018 12:55

I love it, so comforting. Are the breadcrumbs from the sliced fluffy white bread?

Aidan

09.04.2018 12:10

Thanks for sharing this beautiful piece, Peter. The cycle of life captured in marmalade making.... it warmed my heart.

Latest comments

25.11 | 22:15

Grief is experience through the mundane. Simple but powerful. The accompanying image really compliments the poem.

07.11 | 11:14

Hi Peter,

A great observation! Social media can be a scary place... I also need to reduce my time there

Hugs,

John.x

06.11 | 16:24

A great one, Peter, in the context you describe. I don't read social media myself, I doubt my equilibrium could stand it. 'The balance of his mind disturbed' yes, I think it would be.

06.11 | 15:59

Yes, gossip is a weapon of mass destruction.

In my business as well as personal life I have zero tolerance.

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