Green Soup

Tabitha Dial

(Halloween Night 2020)

From a quiet keeping-space,

I promise my motherghost

to create meals and music.

Even if from

dry bones and tangled memories,

my vow as I unstem kale and spinach,

add it to the copperlined pot with green onion, cilantro,

yukon golds and snap peas.

Remember when I made your favorite soup

last year? I caramelize the onions and recall

that patient pot.

I've spent almost 2 hours at the stove, there's

only a little more: the garlic and ginger

sizzle in the pan, then slide into the pot. Another 10 minutes.

I add the broth, taste. I follow the recipe,

as one day I'll follow you. Blend in batches,

return to pot, simmer, flavor with lemon juice,

white vinegar, salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder,

and the sound of your name.