Prompt...Food evoking memories
For my Grandmother
Dragees
Pink sugared almonds
evoke memories of
reflected candle light
through crystal glasses
sauterne roast chickens
glacee fruit split ripe figs
runny cheese venetian lace
lavender polished dark wood
a celebration dinner
at my grandmother's house
a print from the old dutch masters
Memere in marcel waves gleaming
glowing like a beacon
framed by her crystal ware
fragrant with l'air du temps
wearing crepe de chine laughing
her grace and irresistible femininity
her memorable haute cuisine
her rapture listening to
'Berceuse de Jocelyn' sung by Tino Rossi
is still very much part of that young child
who slipped smoked salmon tidbits
under the table to Florette
Happy Thanksgiving to Les Americains!
ReplyDeleteLovely. You have a way with civilized celebrations, Rall.
ReplyDeleteThe young child as delightful counterpoint to the cultured air.Who's Florette? - Irene
ReplyDeleteFlorette was my grandmother's cat. She had two,
ReplyDeleteFlorette and Minouche.
This is wonderful, Rallentanda! I love the pink sugared almonds and glacée fruit and l'air du temps -- such evocative images, and the ending of the poem is lovely.
ReplyDeleteYour grandmother was a very refined lady. I would have looked forward to visits with her with delight. It is beautiful that you have such solid memories of so many fine details. Your poem is a very fitting tribute. I enjoyed the vivid imagery. Thank you for sharing this 'reflection through candle light', Rallentanda! =D
ReplyDeletelush in taste, vision, and sound
ReplyDeleteHi Rall,
ReplyDeleteYour Grandmother's house sounds like my kind of place; polished refinement. And chocolate dragees and sugared almonds were always on our Christmas table.
So sensual! L'Air du Temps and Lavendar polished dark wood... I want to step into this moment and experience it, too... thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the holiday greetings!
ReplyDeleteSplendid setting, sophisticated foods, manners, home, scents & sounds complete. I was delighted with the line breaks and lack of punctuation. Helped me sink into the scene.
A lovely portrait, and the ending is a delight.
This is such a wonderful tribute to your grandmother...to have those memories and be able to share them so beautifully. Made me thing of my Gramma...
ReplyDeleteI love the way the textures/images of foods is intertwined with those of the decor ...the fine embroidery.
ReplyDeleteas in "runny cheese venetian lace" /"wearing crepe de chine".
and also love the child feeding the dog? under the table (i assume dog, cats are usually more precious but I seen cats like that too).
This poem is wonderfully musical and palpable in all its delightful specifics. The foundation of love and the gratitude for it are not stated but fully expressed.
ReplyDeleteThese are wonderful, rich words!
ReplyDeleteWonderful, elegant atmosphere in this memory. I hope you were feeding the cat smoked salmon because you loved the cat not because you hated the salmon! :)
ReplyDeleteI like the way the memory of your grandmother's pleasure in listening to music became part of you:
her rapture listening to
'Berceuse de Jocelyn' sung by Tino Rossi
is still very much part of that young child
Very nice!
nicely done Rall....your grandma my grandpa
ReplyDelete