Raising the Glass (in Four Acts)
As always, the Malbec tunes to the moment,
notes of grace from this orchestra of every possible wine.
The repertoire is smooth– neither classical or jazz,
but familiar enough that my toe taps the floor.
Now approved, I fill your glass 1/3 on request,
paint the simple meat + two meal we agreed
onto the canvas of your completely white plate.
We speak of Michaelangelo and Annie Lenox
in the same conversation:
Good knives do their best work
When honed to a purpose.
Candles stutter to our laughter
and the wind from Time slowing.
Practiced choreography guides the clean—up—
With exquisite slide and subtle gesture -
and chaos succumbs, order returns: all is still.
It is the Day After Creation: the site is cleared.
The chefs retire.
Then: a half-ounce of Sambuca with one coffee bean...
English detectives sparring with yet another Ripper...
Two feet (with socks!) warming my lap...
The beginning of my life, at the end of my day.
