Cobbling Apples
Kim Malinowski
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Do not peel your apple.
It is a waste of time.
Some vitamins might
survive to taste.
Slice neatly.
Quarter then quarter
then quarter.
Cut out the core.
Spit over your right
hip and throw salt
over your left shoulder.
Do not cut yourself.
Blood enhances love
not flavor.
Measure the maple syrup.
1/3 cup. Then pour a good dose
more for strength.
Fold in brown sugar.
Drizzle the melted butter.
Stir over heat.
Clockwise then widdershins.
Blow into the steam thrice.
Once for luck. Twice for love.
Pour apples and syrupy stew
into well-greased pan.
Follow it with flour,
baking powder, sugar,
grit.
Bake as cake and cobbler.
Let the maple leaves fall
into your dreams,
cover your eyes.
Let the forest fold you
in and hold the apple
for the gods.
Let them have the first
tart
bite.
__________
Kim Malinowski is author of Home, Phantom Reflection, Buffy’s House of Mirrors, and Death: A Love Story. She was nominated for the Pushcart Prize, Best of the Net, and the Rhsyling Award. She writes because the alternative is unthinkable.
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Posted in Fall Feasts: Nov' 24 and tagged in #boudin, #poetry, Poetry