Farm to Cup

Walking The Farm

I make an early rise to check on the trees, inherited from father four years ago.
The rains were heavy early in the year, a good sign.
The last trees father chose should be ready for their first harvest.
His influence still covers the hillside, encouraging and intimidating me.
The workers will be arriving soon, ready to pick the bright red fruit.
Many of them knew father, mourned with us.
I wonder if they have confidence in my abilities or worry as much about the future as I do.
Then comes a few weeks of stirring, rotating, and hoping for strong sun,
until the batches are the perfect parchment.
Father had a knack for knowing when it was time.
He'd get out of bed one morning and announce,
"Ready the hulling machines."
As a child, I loved to help with the manual sorting.
I think father liked giving me a small task near so many adults,
even if my work needed checking over.
Now, my favorite part is the sisal bags stacked up and ready to go.
It feels like an end to the hard part,
but in some ways the planning between seasons is the most difficult.
That's when I wish I could still ask for father's advice.


Cupper

Nose, roast, crack, rest.
Nose, slurp, repeat.
100 tastes a day
To find the perfect blend.
Every seed has a story
Of rainfall, sun, and wind.
The attitude and altitude
Of the farmer and the land
Influence the flavors
Of the beans in my hands.
Floral, chocolate, toasty,
Tangy, acidic, sweet.


Conversation of Questions
Heya!
How are you doing?
What can I get ya?
Big or small?
Extra shot?
Room for cream?
Anything else?
Here or to go?
Do you have a punch card?
Need a reciept?
Thanks!


Cup of Clouds

Swirling clouds of cream push to the bottom,
Half settling and half mixing,
A visual for the science behind density and solutions.

Rippled edges like afternoon tide pools.
Little peaks of color fighting to find equilibrium
Between layers of mahogany, burlap, and fresh cut pine.

Take a sip or give it a spin
To see more blending, more gradations.
Until it's all one,
Or all gone.


There are a steps left out, but four poems felt like enough for a series.

The Apple & The Knife

The apple says to the knife,
"Oh, what strife
to be cut by you this way."
"Well, you must be sliced,"
says the knife,
"for apples are snack today."

Quinzaine

Thought I'd play around with a new form today. So here are a couple quinzaines.

Quinzaine : The name comes from the French word meaning 15, quinze, describing the total number of syllables. There are three lines with 7/5/3 syllables. The first line is a statement, followed by two questions.


The palm leaves move with the wind.
How many are there?
How much wind?


Father has gone to the store.
When will he return?
What's for sale?


Grandma made yummy cookies.
How many for me?
Just one left!?

St. George Street

Walking on the street,
people go around
as we amble,
browsing storefronts.

Chocolate shops,
ice cream parlors,
pizza dens, and
open air grilles

call us inside.
Smells wafting out
convince us to
take a long look.

We leave with a
pound of pralines
and caramel
for later.


We visited St. Augustine, FL today and walked along St. George. It's part historic district, part tourist trap, and part unique shops. It's a place I've visited a few times over the years, since it's close to my grandparents' place. If you're ever in northeast FL, I recommend it.

Knackebrod

Add the flour
mix the dough,
knead it til
it's ready to go
off to the side
to proof for a while.
I hope these make
my boyfriend smile.
Roll left and right,

roll up and down,
flatten the dough,
make it round.
4 minutes this side,
2 minutes that.
The crackly bread
is oh so flat.
With some herring
or a bit of cheese,
the knackebrod
is sure to please.


Knackebrod translates to "crackly bread" from Swedish. In English speaking countries, they are commonly known as rye crackers, and Wasa is (I believe) the best selling brand of crispbread. My boyfriend is Swedish and loves pickled herring and cheese with rye crackers. I'm not so into the herring, but cheese and crackers is great.

Long Road Trip Haiku

the long drive made me
ready for my bed at home
and non-greasy food

Turkey Leftovers

turkey leftovers
make yourself a great sandwich
or fix up a plate

Simply Receive

ABC Wednesday features the letter S this week. Thursday is Thanksgiving in the US. Here's two version of the same four line poem reflecting on themes of thanksgiving. The second includes more S words.

Simply receive the earth's blessings.

Be thankful for the harvest's bounty.

Treasure true friendship and of love

that lasts a lifetime in all its forms.

Simply secure in Earth's sacrifice,

Be satisfied with the harvest's surplus.

Sing of sincere shipmates and of love

sustained for a lifetime, in all its shapes.

Grocery Limericks

I went to the store for a pickle.

Last week it cost only one nickel.

But too bad for me,

they now cost 1.03.

Why are the prices so fickle?

I went to the store for some honey,

but didn't have quite enough money.

The clerk laughed at me,

but I just don't see

why the clerk thought it was funny?

I went to the store for some garlic.

I heard it's helpful if your joints click.

I eat it each day,

and pain goes away.

I hardly even feel arthritic.